Brochure: Season 58 -- 2004/2005 Season

Russion Seasons

In "A Celebration of World Dance" the company takes audiences on a journey through the folk dances of many nations, from the athletic hopak of Russia and the wild energy of Gypsy to the passionate flamenco of Spain and the tangos of Argentina, from the footwork of Irish dances to spectacular choreography of Broadway. Russian Seasons Dance Company returns to the United States after the 1999-2000 tour garnered unanimously rave reviews, called as "spectacular", "superbly creative" and "stirring".

Robert Sims

Blending talent with spirituality has lifted lyric baritone Robert Sims to extraordinary heights. Mr. Sims has received several prestigious awards and has been hailed by critics for his "rich luxuriant tone" and "energetic performances." He is highly regarded for his "moving" and "authentic" interpretations of African American spirituals and has given recitals throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia. Mr. Sims also has performed with many opera companies and in other venues in the United States. He has been recognized in the Chicago Tribune for performances that are "stunning, dazzling and sublime."

Montana Mandolin Society

The discovery of a photograph of the 1902 Bozeman Mandolin and Guitar Club inspired the formation of today's Montana Mandolin Society under the direction of professional musician Dennis White. A Montana Mandolin Society experience takes you back to a gentler, more graceful age that evokes images of horse drawn carriages, lamplight parlors, and Sunday picnics. The concert features a remarkable historic repertoire of waltzes, gallops, marches, rags, tangos, contemporary classics and original compositions. The Society performs in a variety of settings and features performers on mandolins, mandolas, octave mandolins, classical guitars, violin, banjo, hammer dulcimer, bass, and cello.

Franc D'Ambrosio

His starring role in the San Francisco production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Tony Award winning musical The Phantom of the Opera lasted six years and in 1998, earned him the title "The World's Longest Running Phantom," having performed the role over 2600 times.

Franc is often recognized as Al Pacino's opera singing son, Anthony Corleone, in Godfather III which received 7 Academy Award nominations, and he is also featured on the Original Motion Picture soundtrack to this classic film. More recently, Franc was hand selected by Barry Manilow to create and star as the lead (Tony) in Manilow's pre-Broadway tour of Copacabana.

Alpin Hong (pianist)

Pianist Alpin Hong, First Prize Winner of the 2001 Concert Artists Guild International Competition as well as winner of the 1989 Stravinsky Piano Competition while still a teenager, thrills audiences with his incredible virtuosity. A graduate of Juilliard, his performance credits are astounding for one barely in his twenties. In addition, Alpin Hong is a martial arts champion, an avid skateboarder and accomplished actor.

Alpin Hong went over the top, down the other side, and all the way to the top again
NY Times

Buy his CD here: http://www.msrcd.com/1107Hong/1107Hong.html

Wood's Tea Company

Wood's Tea Company is a musical group that defies categorization, which is precisely why these versatile virtuosos appeal to audiences year after year. They perform bluegrass, celtic tunes, sea shanties, and folk songs with an equal ease and skill. They are known for their easygoing style and witty rapport with the audience combined with powerful musicianship. In concert, the Vermont-based group draws on a wide variety of musical experience and expression, employing as many as a dozen different instruments including banjos, bezoukis and bodhrans, guitars and tin whistles.

-- RaymondLutz - 29 May 2004