La Musica Chamber Music Festival Announces 36th Season

The critically-acclaimed La Musica International Chamber Music Festival celebrates its 36th season in 2022. Four concerts will be held at the Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota. The first concert with special guest pianist Wu Han will celebrate the legacy of co-founder and associate artistic director Derek Han, who passed away in April of 2021. Subscriptions to all four concerts are $195 and include a festival rehearsal pass; single concert tickets range from $50-$65.

Bruno Giuranna, La Musica’s co-founder and artistic director, stated, “Although covid keeps me from traveling to Sarasota this year, my gift to La Musica is the repertoire patrons will enjoy throughout the festival. I am especially saddened to miss paying tribute to Derek Han, my colleague and good friend, but I know he will be listening from afar.”

The Concerts

Sunday, April 3, 3:00 p.m. - Derek Han Memorial Concert
Celebrate the legacy of La Musica’s co-founder and associate artistic director Derek Han. His friends and colleagues, including special guest pianist Wu Han, perform the music he loved.

Wednesday, April 6, 7:30 p.m. - Innocence and Illicit Passion
The 15-year-old Mozart celebrated completion of his second set of string quartets by composing his sunny first viola quintet. One hundred years later, Franck created his piano quintet, secretly dedicated to his young lover. Is passion audible?

Sunday, April 10, 3:00 p.m. - Strut and Fret
Grammy Award-winning guitarist Jason Vieaux returns to perform in contemporary and Classical quintets, contrasted with the lush Dvořák quintet for piano and strings.

Wednesday, April 13, 7:30 p.m. - From Darkness Into Light
Mozart’s dark and stormy piano quartet may have deterred its publisher, but it showed the way from the Classical to the Romantic – so Tchaikovsky owes Mozart (and Florence) for his inspiration. This souvenir is beyond festive – think 1812 without the cannons.

Free Pre-Concert Talks

Pre-concert talks, hosted by Robert Sherman, are free and begin 45 minutes prior to each concert at the opera house. For more than 40 years, Sherman was a music critic and columnist for The New York Times, and for nearly 20 years he served on the graduate faculty of The Juilliard School.

He says, “I've spent most of my life as a broadcaster, making friends I never get to see. I'm so excited about hosting these talks: to be in the same room with the listeners, take their questions, and hear their laughter when I bumble a name or phrase.”

Open Rehearsals, April 1-12, times vary

A rare opportunity to sit in on rehearsals, which will be held in the Bayfront Community Center at Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, 801 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Rehearsals are free of charge for series subscribers, faculty and students; non-subscribers may purchase a pass to all rehearsals for $80, or daily passes for $20.

Musical Kids Go Free

New this season, all music students age 18 and under and accompanying parents may attend La Musica concerts and open rehearsals for free thanks to the generosity of the La Musica board of directors.

“Behind the Music” Special Events

Musical Bouquet, Tuesday, April 5, 5:30 p.m.

Enchanting music performed by Daniel Avshalomov, viola and Wu Han, piano, amid the ambience of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens (Downtown Sarasota Campus), 1534 Mound Street, Sarasota. Mingle with the artists following the program while enjoying a glass of wine. $85 per person.

Meet the Musicians, Friday, April 8, 5:30 p.m.

Get to know the musicians and enjoy a mini concert in the unique setting of Dolphin Aviation’s hangar, 8191 N. Tamiami Trail #100, Sarasota. Wine and light bites are served. $35 per person.

Musical Chefs Dinner, Monday, April 11, 6:00 p.m.

Hosted by Phil Mancini at Michael’s Wine Cellar, 1283 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. La Musica musicians prepare their favorite recipes along with Executive Chef Jamil Pineda for an evening of food, fun, and frivolity. $200-$250 per person.

For subscriptions, tickets, and more information, visit LaMusicaFestval.org or call the La Musica box office at (207) 266-7999. Additionally, single concert tickets can be purchased by calling the Sarasota Opera box office at (941) 328-1300.