Shalin Liu goes pop, opera in extended season

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July 29, 2010

By Jonathan L'Ecuyer Staff Writer

ROCKPORT — Rockport Music officials say they are striving to enrich lives through great music.

But while the organization has worked to those ends with its signature chamber music concert series for the past three decades, the nonprofit's mission — like its venue — has now expanded to include other musical genres and even the visual arts.

Spurred by the celebrated opening of Rockport Music's new home, the Shalin Liu Performance Center, the sold-out 29th annual Rockport Chamber Music Festival is being followed this summer by Rockport Music's first non-classical music series.

"We have had tremendous response in the Rockport Music Presents: (non-classical) series running right now," Rockport Music Chairman Tom Burger said Thursday.

The series, running July 24 through Aug. 8 and featuring internationally acclaimed violinist Regina Carter and hometown singer/songwriter Paula Cole has indeed proved popular as tickets for all performances have already sold out.

According to Rockport Music's the 2010-2011 fall, winter, and spring schedule, released this week, the non-classical concert series was just the first of many new things to come from Rockport Music.

This fall, music lovers will not only have their choice of classical and non-classical performances featuring some of the country's top musicians, but will have the opportunity to attend live and taped simulcast showings from the Metropolitan Opera's "The Met: Live in HD" series; London's National Theatre simulcasts; and Rockport Music's new film series, "Rockport Music Cinema Series."

The full 12 transmissions of the Met's fifth season, beginning with a new production of "Das Rheingold" on Oct. 9 and ending with a new production of "Die Walkure" next May 14, will be available to audiences throughout the North Shore. Tickets will go on sale for Met members only on Aug. 27, while Rockport Music members will have a chance to purchase tickets Sept. 3 and tickets will be made available to the general public on Sept. 7.

Meanwhile, each simulcast from the world renowned National Theatre, in addition to the actual play, features interviews with cast and creative teams as well as behind the scenes programming. The series features six plays, beginning with Complicite's "A Disappearing Number" on Oct. 14 and ending with Danny Boyle's production of "Frankenstein," on March 17.

Additionally, Rockport Music will host seven free community concerts, a spring lecture series, music book group, and continue its music education outreach programs for children.

Rockport Music Marketing Director Gregg Sorensen said Rockport Music's new venue — nestled by the water in the heart of downtown — is already attracting new performers and patrons alike and will forever change the tiny seaside village.

"A full schedule throughout the year will be transformative for the town of Rockport in the way of having 330 visitors in that hall at times when you could normally have shot a cannon down Main Street," Sorensen said. "The Shalin Liu Performance Center is becoming an international destination of importance; one of the unique halls in the world."

Designed by Alan Joslin and Deborah Epstein, principals-in-charge of Epstein Joslin Architects, and acoustician R. Lawrence Kirkegaard, the 330-seat performance center features a state-of-the-art concert hall with a two-story window behind the stage offering a stunning ocean view.

"People appreciate the beauty of the interior and the view of the ocean, but they also understand that the acoustics are so good inside the building," Burger said. "The word has spread. Beside the fact we're bringing in good people and the curiosity factor, we're getting a lot of feedback about what a pleasant building it is both acoustically and with its physical beauty."

The venue is already attracting performers such as Jonathan Edwards and James Montgomery whose production companies have rented the stage for one or more shows.

The folk/blues duo of Edwards and Montgomery will take to the stage on Aug. 20 while folk legend Livingston Taylor is scheduled to perform on Sept. 4. Fellow folk singer/songwriter Tom Rush is also promoting a concert at Shalin Liu on Sunday, Aug. 29, though that has not yet been announced by Rockport Music.

Other productions leasing space from Rockport Music include Shakespeare's "Hamlet" by the celebrated local theater company, Theatre in the Pines, and a special concert by Navy Band Northeast, presented by the Rockport Navy Committee.

"We charge them a flat rate, just like a bride who would rent (space upstairs) for their wedding," Burger said.

With the expanded programming has come the need to hire additional staff, Burger added. Rockport Music has hired Karen Herlitz as its venue manager and Megan Hinckley as director of development, to name a few.

Burger said in addition to new paid employees, volunteers have also proved to be a big help this year.

"We're very pleased with the response of the community and the hard work and dedication of the people who have served as team captains and ushers at the concerts," Burger said. "They have been a tremendous asset for us and we're very appreciative of them."

The fall/winter/spring concert series is aimed at offering audiences world-class music in both the classical and non-classical genres.

Classical artists appearing in the 2010-11 season include international pianist Peter Serkin in recital on Sept. 24; the Boston Chamber Music Society, Nov. 20; and violinists Christian Tetzlaff and Antje Weithaas in duo recital on April 11.

Non-classical performances include such musicians as the Taylor Eigsti-Julian Lage Duo, Sept 22; "Stormy Weather — The Life of Lena Horne," ñfeaturing a narrator and vocalists (to be announced) and video clips on Oct. 13; the Grace Kelly Quintet on Nov. 5; and David Benoit and the Charlie Brown Christmas Trio on Dec. 15, among many others.

"It takes capital to expand but we are expanding and are doing it at a pace that will be financially viable for us," Burger said.

For more information on Rockport Music's upcoming season, visit www.rcmf.org.

Jonathan L'Ecuyer can be reached at 978-283-7000 x 3451 or jlecuyer@gloucestertimes.com.