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Amelia Islander - January 2022
Now in its 21st season, the Festival has firmly established itself as one of the premier chamber music festivals in the country with another stellar line-up of concerts.
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This month, Amelia Island once again welcomes its annual musical extravaganza known as the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival. Now in its twenty-first season, the Festival has firmly established itself as one of the premier chamber music festivals in the country with another stellar line-up of concerts, as it continues to wow concertgoers year after year. After kicking off the season in December with a holiday show by The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, the stars continue to shine this month with renowned American soprano Renee Fleming and, over the next several months, performances by the Zuckerman Trio, the Danish String Quartet, and Tango Argentina.
We are so grateful to have enjoyed these many years of extraordinary music from the acclaimed world-renowned musicians who have appeared on the island. General and Artistic Director Christopher Rex continues to attract a star-studded line-up each year, as well as offering a great mix of fresh and eclectic concerts on the program. Throughout the history of the festival, we have been treated to events at Amelia Park, family concerts with the kids, and performances by such world-renowned talents as Yo-Yo Ma, Hilary Hahn, Itzhak Perlman, and a host of other extraordinary classical musicians. The AICMF is now a months-long concert series that begins in January and lasts until the end of April with the season finale at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island.
Nothing compares to hearing live musical performances. The masterpieces of the chamber music canon are so enjoyable because they were composed to be performed in smaller, intimate settings, and Amelia Island’s varied settings make for an incomparable listening experience. In addition to Wynton Marsalis and Renee Fleming, this year’s highlights include the Polish Wieniawski Philharmonic, the Danish String Quartet, Tango Argentina, the Gibson Brothers, and the season finale with the Zukerman Trio. We look forward with anticipation to this year’s offerings, and we extend our gratitude to Chris Rex, Executive Director Eric Sakurai, and all the people who work tirelessly to make the festival such a success.
In addition this month, we take a look at an exciting archaeological dig taking place on Big Talbot Island by Dr. Keith Ashley and the University of North Florida Field School, which is uncovering an early Timucuan settlement; feature The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island’s exciting new Chef Theaters, in which its outstanding chefs from Salt share their know-how as they cook with their guests; present another of Fernandina Beach’s “Great Homes and Churches” on the distinctive Waas House; share an “Island Entertaining” with Karen Miller on creating some delicious soups to fortify yourself for cooler weather; and much more. Best wishes for a very Happy New Year from our family to yours!
Philip Kelly Deana Basile Kelly Publishers and Editors
Tom Barrett Art Director
Mark O’Day Sales Manager
Contributing Writers Karen Miller, Julie Simmons, Dickie Anderson, Mandy Haynes, Teri Sopp, Betty Morrell, Lois Winkler
Contributing Photographers William Raser, Sherry Carter, Stephan Leimberg, Pam Bell, Christy LeLait, Lilly Sheetz
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