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Oregon Festival of American Music 2005 - "Cole Porter: Night & Day"

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The Shedd Institute Presents: Oregon Festival of American Music 2005 COLE PORTER: NIGHT & DAY
August 4-13, 2005
John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts Hult Center for the Performing Arts
Eugene, Oregon

Cole Porter. The very name conjures an image of the sophistication and elegance of American and European high society in the 1920s and 30s. His incomparable catalogue of songs includes some of the most finely crafted, most beloved entries in the Great American Songbook – “It’s De-Lovely”, “I’ve Got You Under My Skin”, “Let’s Misbehave”, and many more. His musicals, including “Kiss Me, Kate" and “Anything Goes" are still constantly performed around the world. This year’s Oregon Festival of American Music, Cole Porter: Night & Day will explore the many facets of Porter’s musical artistry, presenting his songs in a variety of formats, from cabaret to classical to jazz. Also featured will be five performances of a reconstruction of the original version of “Anything Goes", returning to the original script as it was performed at its Alvin Theatre premiere in 1934, directed by Richard Jessup with musical direction by Robert Ashens. There will be five afternoon and four evening concerts, culminating with a grand finale outdoor concert at Cuthbert Amphitheater, as well as films, lectures, a public jam, and performances by Young Artists Academy students.

The festival, under the musical direction of pianist Dick Hyman and conductor James Paul, will feature special guest performances by Grammy Award-winning soprano Sylvia McNair – a rare talent whose performing repertoire has embraced both classical and cabaret, opera and Broadway musicals, and Tony Award nominee Ann Hampton Callaway, known the world over for her fabulous interpretations of Cole Porter. Other guest musicians include clarinetist Ken Peplowski, drummer Frank Capp, trumpeter Randy Sandke, vibraphonist Peter Appleyard, saxophonist Harry Allen, vocalists Ty Stephens, Michael Stone and Shirley Andress and, as always, an all-star combo hand-picked by Dick Hyman for each festival.

Festival highlights will include gala opening and closing concerts featuring the Festival Big Band and the Emerald City Jazz Kings, a concert featuring music from “Kiss Me, Kate", themed concerts presenting Porter’s comedy songs and ballads, and free films and lectures. OFAM’s American Symphonia, under the direction of James Paul, will offer two classical programs, one exploring Porter’s formative years in Paris, featuring music that he might have heard there, and one with Sylvia McNair celebrating the “classical” side of his music, featuring new takes on some of Porter’s most beloved songs.

For tickets or to request a festival brochure, call The Shedd at 800-248-1615.

Each summer OFAM's American Music Institute offers a complex of educational programs for all ages in conjunction with the festival. This summer's offerings include three young artist summer music camps (The Jazz Academy, Song & Dance Camp, and Vaudeville Camp), and four Elderhostel programs. Please call The American Music Institute at 541-687-6526 for more information.

Oregon Festival of American Music is a resident company of the Hult Center for the Performing Arts and the John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts, both in Eugene, Oregon.

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