Seventh Edition of the Santo Domingo Music Festival

Seventh Edition of the Santo Domingo Music Festival

The Symphony Foundation, together with the Ministry of Culture announced that the seventh edition of the Santo Domingo Music Festival will be held from March 4 to 14th in the Main Hall of the Eduardo Brito National Theatre.

As has been the custom, Philippe Entremont, acclaimed pianist and director of the French Orchestra, will be the artistic director of the music festival.

As has been the custom, Philippe Entremont, acclaimed pianist and director of the French Orchestra, will be the artistic director of the music festival.  Maestro Entremont splits his time between the Vienna Chamber Orchestra, where he is the director, the Munich Symphonic Orchestra and the Cadaqués Orchestra.  He is also a regular guest director and soloist with the main orchestras in Europe and the United States.  

About the invited soloists:

Ben Heppner is recognized world-wide as the finest dramatic tenor before the public today. He excels in the most challenging roles, from Wagner’s Tristan and Lohengrin to Verdi’s Otello and Berlioz’ Aeneas. He is acclaimed in music capitals around the world for his beautiful voice, intelligent musicianship, and sparkling dramatic sense. His performances on the opera stage, in concert with orchestra, in recital and on recordings have set new standards in his demanding repertoire. Mr. Heppner will perform his most emblematic opera roles when he come to the country.
Ramón Tebar, a young and vibrant director from Valencia, Spain is establishing himself as one of the most solid Spanish musicians of his generation. Despite his young age, he has shown a profound interest in a broad array of classical music disciplines. He is currently the director of the Palm Beach Opera and is associated with the Opera of Cincinnati.

Barna Kobori, from Romania, began to study violin at the age of five and graduated from Romania’s Cluj School of Music in 1984. Since 1988 he has been associated with the Royal College of Music of London and this same year he formed the Aron Quartet with Ludwig Mueller, Georg Hamann and Christophe Pantillon. Mr. Kabori is the principal of the two violins in the Vienna Chamber Orchestra and the Cadaqués Orchestra.

In concerts, recitals and chamber music presentations in the United States, Canada, Europe, South America, Australia and Asia, violinist
Robert Davidovici is acclaimed as a virtuoso who combines spectacular technique, a vast repertoire and magnificent talent with an exciting and captivating stage presence.  Born in Transylvania, Romania, he began his studies with David Oistrakh, then went on to study with Ivan Galamian at the Julliard School where after graduating, he became and assistant professor of Julliard’s String Quarter.

Sebastian Knauer Sebastian Knauer was born in 1971 in Hamburg, and began playing the piano at the age of four. A prize-winner at numerous competitions, he gave his concerto debut at the age of 13, performing Haydn’s D-Major Piano Concerto in the Hamburg Musikhalle. Shortly afterwards followed his international debut as part of the “European Concert” series for RAI in Venice. Subsequent tours have taken him all over Europe, the USA, South America and Asia. He is considered the most outstanding and vibrant German pianist of his generation, with surprising technique and mastery.

One night of the Festival will be dedicated to dance, with a performance by one of the best-known modern dance groups in the United States: Doug Varone and Dancers.  The group is renowned for its velocity, dexterity, musicality and dramatic stage presence as well as exceptional dancing and stunning choreography. They are participating in the Music Festival thanks to cooperation of the US Embassy.

To end the Festival, French mezzo-soprano Sophie Kock will combine her extraordinary voice with her beauty and splendid stage presence. Ms. Kock made her debut at the Royal Opera House in 1998 and since then has performed regularly with all the best directors in all of the great opera houses around the world.