In Thursday’s (7/21) Columbus Dispatch (Ohio), Bill Mayr writes, “With about 70 events—including the premieres of two major works—the Lancaster Festival should chase away the summertime cultural doldrums. Events will get off to a flying start tonight when the Lancaster Chorale and the Lancaster Festival Orchestra premiere Te Deum by Patrick Hawes, a leading British composer. Pinocchio, a new ballet, will make its debut on Sunday with two performances featuring the orchestra and central Ohio dancers. The music was written by David Kiraly, a Hungarian composer, with choreography by Gerard Charles, artistic director of BalletMet Columbus. ‘Two world premieres in the same year, that’s something,’ said Lou Ross, the festival director. ‘In the eight years that I’ve been here, that hasn’t happened.’ … Both premieres are major ventures for the festival, and both stem from relationships nurtured through the years. Hawes, who will attend the festival, is making his American debut.”
Posted July 22, 2011
