<<<  <<  -- 3 --  Kelly Ferjutz    WHY CANTON?

The cycle is once again nearing fruition. The third symposium will be held in Canton from 11-13 May this year. As always, it will be a mixture of music and lecture demonstrations about the music and operas of Wagner, and occasionally other musicians closely allied to him, such as Franz Liszt. Speakers this year include Jeffrey Buller, who was, for several years, the English-speaking lecturer at Bayreuth. He will give three talks: Wagner and the Wanderer, Bayreuth as a Symbol and Siegfried Wagner and the Epigoni.

Laurie Lashbrook does double duty; following Saturday's presentation talk about Wagner/Liszt relationships, she'll present a recital on Sunday of Lieder by Wagner, Liszt and Schubert. Considering that all three composers used some of the same poems, Ms Lashbrook will contrast and compare the variations in them.

Architectural theorist Harry Mallgrave will speak about The Gottfried Semper and Wagner relationship and during Sunday's brunch will present Drawings and Sketchings of the Semper Opera House and Wagner's Festspielhaus. On Saturday evening, Jerry Wong will perform a recital featuring Piano Transcriptions of Wagner Operas by Liszt.

On Friday evening, the Canton Symphony, with music director Gerhardt Zimmermann will present Wagner, Liszt and a bit of Schubert. Beginning with the little-known Kinder-Katechismus, with Gabriella Haigh, soprano and the Summit Choral Society Children's Choir, mezzo-soprano Jane Dutton will perform the Wesendonck Lieder WWV91 as arranged by Tarkmann. In addition to the Siegfried Idyll, there will also be Liszt's arrangement of Schubert's Wanderer Fantasy for Piano and Orchestra, D760, Op 15, and the Liszt Malédiction for Piano and Strings. Christina Dahl is the piano soloist for the latter two works.

Ms Schneider says she is always asked 'why Canton? Why on earth would you have an International Wagner Symposium in Canton, Ohio, of all places?' To which she blithely responds, 'And why not in Canton, Ohio?'

Indeed. Faith has been known to move mountains, after all. Only in this case, Faith's other names could well be Schneider and Albacete. The former is quick to point out, however, that they had many, many good helpers!

More details of past and present symposia plus other helpful links, plus information about transportation and accomodations are presented at the web-site.