THE AMFS RECEIVES LARGEST NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS WORKS GRANT IN COLORADO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 17, 2014

THE ASPEN MUSIC FESTIVAL AND SCHOOL RECEIVES LARGEST NATIONAL ENDOWMENT
FOR THE ARTS WORKS GRANT IN COLORADO

Grant is One of 895 NEA Art Works Grants Funded Nationwide

ASPEN, Colo.— The Aspen Music Festival and School has received a $55,000 grant to support the presentation of a new opera titled The Classical Style by AMFS faculty member Steven Stucky which is co-commissioned with Ojai Music Festival, Cal Performances at the University of California, Berkeley and Carnegie Hall. The opera is slated to be performed at the festival in 2015.

Aspen alumnus, pianist, and MacArthur “Genius Grant” winnerJeremy Denk is writing the libretto based on Charles Rosen’s landmark book of the same name on the compositions of three of the world’s greatest composers: Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven. Each of these composers, as well as Rosen himself, appear as characters in the one-act piece, which is expected to be 50 minutes long. Lead roles are expected to be sung by Jessica Rivera, Kelly O’Connor, Thomas Glenn, Stephen Powell, and Ryan McKinney, who is an alumnus of the festival’s conducting program. Robert Spano will conduct all of the performances, scheduled in Ojai, Aspen and Carnegie Hall. In Aspen, the semi-staged production will be directed by Edward Berkeley, director of the Aspen Opera Theater Center.

Acting NEA Chairman Shigekawa said, "The National Endowment for the Arts is proud to support these exciting and diverse arts projects that will take place throughout the United States. Whether it is through a focus on education, engagement, or innovation, these projects all contribute to vibrant communities and memorable experiences for the public to engage with the arts."

Art Works grants support the creation of art that meets the highest standards of excellence: public engagement with diverse and excellent art, lifelong learning in the arts, and enhancing the livability of communities through the arts. The NEA received 1,528 eligible Art Works applications, requesting more than $75 million in funding. Of those applications, 895 are recommended for grants for a total of $ 23.4 million. For a complete listing of projects recommended for Art Works grant support, please visit the NEA website at arts.gov.

The Aspen Music Festival and School is the United States’ premier classical music festival, presenting more than 300 musical events during its eight-week summer season in Aspen. The institution draws top classical musicians from around the world to this Colorado mountain retreat for an unparalleled combination of performances and music education. Next season’s dates are June 26 to August 17.