JACKSON, W.Y. (GTMF) — Grand Teton Music Festival (GTMF) Music Director Sir Donald Runnicles and Executive Director Emma Kail announce programming for its 63rd season—from June 27-August 17, 2024—featuring eight weeks of performances by the Festival Orchestra, four Gateway Series presentations, five chamber music concerts, two special events, and family and community presentations.
Maestro Runnicles conducts five of the Festival Orchestra programs in 2024, plus the annual July 4 performance and a special event, leading a rich array of works from the Classical era to the present day by John Adams, Brahms, Debussy, Elgar, Gershwin, Haydn, Mahler, Ravel, Vaughan-Williams, and a world premiere by Detlev Glanert, as well as Mozart’s The Magic Flute in a semi-staged concert version.
“There is so much to look forward to this summer!” said Sir Donald Runnicles, GTMF’s Music Director. “The highlight among a season of highlights remains our brilliant orchestra—eight weeks of the most glorious orchestral repertoire and chamber music. This year we close out our season with one of my favorite operas, The Magic Flute, ensuring a spectacular finale.”
2024 Summer Festival Highlights
Three dynamic guest conductors join the Festival in 2024: David Danzmayr (Music Director, Oregon Symphony) and Juraj Valčuha (Music Director, Houston Symphony) make GTMF debuts in their respective weeks, and Dalia Stasevska returns with a program featuring works by Ginastera, Missy Mazzoli, and Sibelius. Danzmayr leads a program of music by William Grant Still and Dvořák, as well as a GTMF co-commission by Clarice Assad featuring Third Coast Percussion, and Valčuha conducts the U.S. premiere of Melody Eötvös’ Pyramidion along with music by Bartók and Rachmaninoff.
“This summer, we will celebrate the finest and most intimate music-making in the world’s most beautiful surroundings,” said Emma Kail, GTMF’s Executive Director. “I’m especially excited to announce the return of Yo-Yo Ma to help us celebrate the 50th Anniversary of our beloved home, Walk Festival Hall, on August 7. From Missy Mazzoli to Mahler to Mozart, there will be so many can’t-miss performances this summer for our audiences and musicians.”
Featured soloists this summer include distinguished violinist Augustin Hadelich, who performs Beethoven’s popular violin concerto on opening night (June 28 & 29); pianist Michelle Cann in a French-inspired program (July 5 & 6); Third Coast Percussion and Clarice Assad, who perform PLAY!, a GTMF commissioned work by Assad (July 12 & 13); violist Amihai Grosz in his debut in Walton’s Viola Concerto as part of an English-themed program (July 19 & 20); violinist Jennifer Koh performing Missy Mazzoli’s violin concerto (August 2 & 3); and pianist Anna Geniushene in Rachmaninoff’s beloved Piano Concerto No. 2 (August 9 & 10).
GTMF continues its successful semi-staged opera initiative this summer with Mozart’s The Magic Flute (August 16 & 17) and an acclaimed cast of soloists: Heidi Stober, Paul Appleby, Alexander Birch Elliott, Jeni Houser, Raymond Aceto, Meechot Marrero, Rodell Rosel, Noel Bouley, Kim-Lillian Strebel, Davia Bouley, and Natalie Lewis along with Choristers of the Madeleine Choir School and the GTMF Chorus. David Lefkowich is the stage director.
Two special one-night-only events bring stellar solo artists to GTMF: a recital of Beethoven’s sonatas by renowned pianist Garrick Ohlsson (July 23) and an appearance by iconic cellist Yo-Yo Ma as soloist with the Festival Orchestra and Maestro Runnicles (August 7), in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the opening of GTMF’s Walk Festival Hall.
The Gateway Series returns with an eclectic mix of artists, genres and multidisciplinary offerings: Sergio & Clarice Assad (July 11); Tony DeSare presents Sinatra & Beyond (July 18); Counterpoint with pianist/composer Conrad Tao and choreographer/dancer Caleb Teicher (July 25); and banjo duo Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn (August 1).
GTMF Appoints Benjamin Manis as Resident Conductor
GTMF is pleased to announce the appointment of rising young conductor Benjamin Manis—who has served as Associate Conductor at Utah Symphony and Resident Conductor at Houston Grand Opera—as its new Resident Conductor, beginning in 2024. In his new role, Manis leads the Free Family Concert on July 3 at Center for the Arts Park, hosted by GTMF Education Curator Meaghan Heinrich. Manis also serves as the cover conductor for the summer’s orchestra concerts.
The annual July 4 Patriotic Pops concert returns to Center for the Arts Park, led by Sir Donald Runnicles with vocalist Capathia Jenkins this summer.
Programming for the GTMF Chamber Music Series featuring Festival Orchestra musicians and additional community events, including GTMF On the Road performances, will be announced in April.
Live from the Grand Teton Music Festival Radio Show & Podcast
In anticipation for the summer season, listeners can now tune into the seventh season of Live from the Grand Teton Music Festival—GTMF’s national radio broadcast series co-hosted by Music Director Sir Donald Runnicles and General Manager Jeff Counts—just released to radio stations. Live from the Grand Teton Music Festival comprises 13 one-hour episodes and is a production of Classic Digital Syndications. Select past seasons are also available to listen to on GTMF’s SoundCloud and as a podcast through Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and Amazon. To learn more about where to listen to Live from the Grand Teton Music Festival, please visit gtmf.org/radio.
Live from the GTMF will be aired on Wyoming Public Radio on Wednesday evenings at 8 p.m. MT through April 10. The show can be listened to online at wyomingpublicmedia.org/grand-teton-music-festival. Summer 2024 concerts are recorded for broadcast on Wyoming Public Radio in the fall of 2024.