Inaugural 'Festival of the Desert' a Resounding Success

Festival of the Desert’s March 18, 2015 inaugural launch event brought together an amazing cast of some of today’s top fine arts and culinary artists, including a performance by famed soprano Renée Fleming with Paris Opera’s Music Director Maestro Philippe Jordan at the piano; a dance program curated by American and Bolshoi Ballet’s Principal Dancer, David Hallberg; a jazz piano program curated by music icon Quincy Jones, a discussion on the future of fine arts led by former President of the Kennedy Center for the Arts, Michael Kaiser, a culinary experience by famed chef Cat Cora, and further musical performances by guitarist Angel Romero, pianists Christopher Taylor, Justin Kauflin, Alfredo Rodriguez, and Mikhail Korzhev, dancers Maria Kowroski, Veronika Part and Amar Ramansar, soprano Ilana Davidson and the Rossetti String Quartet.

The Festival of the Desert launch was produced by Barrett Wissman, Chairman of IMG Artists. Philippe Jordan served as the Festival’s Music Director. The events took place at the McCallum Theatre and the Sunnylands Center & Gardens.

“The launch of the Festival of the Desert provided the ultimate experience for those who appreciate the fine arts,” said Barrett Wissman. “We had something for everyone, whether for the music lover, the dance enthusiastic, or the food and wine aficionado. We can’t wait for the first edition next year of the full-length Festival.”