Soprano Julia Bullock performs in Festival del Sole's admission-free Bouchaine Young Artist series
Ever-resistant to corporate announcements and marketing/sales prose, I asked Festival del Sole Director and Co-Founder Richard Walker to say "something in line with the news/human interest emphasis of this column — something specific and interesting, not just advertising." Did he? You'll be the judge [I added some useful links]:
Each season of Napa Valley Festival del Sole has been better than the one before, and this year is no exception. With more than 60 events over 10 days, we have a line-up that we hope will fascinate and inspire.
We are especially looking forward to presenting the West Coast debut of the Sphinx Symphony Orchestra [an all-black and Hispanic professional ensemble], and the world premiere of Carlo Ponti's LA Virtuosi. Ballet sensation Polina Semionova headlines this year's Dance Gala, and Cuban jazz icon Arturo Sandoval and the Concord Jazz All Stars perform under the stars at Meadowood.
The Sphinx Virtuosi also appear on the Young Artists series
Our vocal series includes Maria Agresta, James Valenti, Matthew Polenzani, Monica Mancini, an an opera gala, and and the festival's first-ever chamber opera, Bernstein's Trouble in Tahiti, directed by Jamie Bernstein.
We take pride in introducing the stars of tomorrow through the admission-free Bouchaine Young Artist series, and this year we are presenting soprano Julia Bullock, double bassist Xavier Foley, and the Sphinx Virtuosi.
Did I mention the tribute to Sophia Loren? Or the more than 100 Napa Valley wineries participating through spectacular luncheons, dinners, after parties, and the Taste of Napa showcase on July 12, offering the most exceptional epicurean experience you can find in Napa Valley for under $50? From family concerts to wellness programs, one-of-a-kind culinary and wine experiences to intimate concerts in gorgeous settings, there is truly something for everyone at Festival del Sole.
To my response that it sounds very much like "MarComm" (marketing communication), Walker replied that "There is so much going on that it defies an easy description in a sentence or two, and by describing it in broader terms, it may come across that way to you. But it is genuine. I believe passionately that there is nothing like this festival, anywhere, and that it is evolving into something extraordinary."
