Ahh, summertime. Time for vacations to the islands, camping trips, picnics at the beach, and fun filled days at water parks and theme parks... but something is missing? Oh yes, classical music! These ten classical music events, concerts and festivals are worth taking a trip to. From ballet to symphonies (and even orchestrated video game music), there is music for everyone. Get your tickets soon and make this summer a summer that you will never forget.
1. Dear Friends, Music from Final Fantasy
July 9, Minneapolis, MNJuly 14, San Diego, CA
July 23-24, Detroit, MI
This extremely popular video game has, perhaps, the best music ever written for a video game. The music is emotional, exciting, and quite beautiful. Even if you are not familiar with the series, you will not be disappointed.
2. Concerts in the Parks, New York Philharmonic and Time Warner
July 12-19, New York CityWith works by Dvorak, Wagner, Tchaikovsky, Lalo, and more, this is one summer concert series worth seeing. Each night, the NY Philharmonic plays in a different park in New York City, playing twice in Central Park. Bring a blanket and a friend, and enjoy the music of the evening under the stars.
3. The ASO Summer Series
July 14-16, 21-23, Atlanta, GAThe Atlanta Symphony Orchestra is playing works by Gershwin, Dvorak, Ives, Copland, and Bernstein over two weekends. So, if you're in the area, here is your opportunity to hear great music by a great orchestra.
4. Bolshoi Ballet, Metropolitan Opera
July 18-30, Metropolitan Opera, New York CityThese four great ballets (The Bright Stream, Don Quixote, The Pharaoh's Daughter, and Spartacus) will be performed by the world famous Bolshoi Ballet.
5. Salzburg Music Festival
July 25-Aug.31, Salzburg, AustriaGoing to be in Salzburg, Austria during the month of August? If so, then this is your lucky month! With opera, drama, classical concerts, theatre, and ballet to choose from, what more could you possibly want? Great music, great atmosphere, great fun!
6. Sunriver Music Festival
Aug. 1-20, Sunriver, OregonTwo weeks of classical music will be performed in the historic Sunriver Resort Great Hall. The performances will feature works by Bach, Mozart, Mendelssohn, Debussy, Handel, Dvorak, Haydn, Schumann, and Elias.
7. Ravinia Festival 2005
All Summer, Chicago, ILThe Chicago Symphony Orchestra performs almost every weekend at this historic music festival. If you get bored with classical music (as if that's possible), there are also many other types of music concerts to attend.
8. Summer Classical Series at the Hollywood Bowl
All Summer, Los Angeles CaliforniaThe Los Angeles Philharmonic performs classical works every Tuesday and Thursday evening during the warm months of summer. Performances include works by Bach, Mozart, Beethoven and more.
Los Angeles Philharmonic Tickets at Hollywood Bowl
9. Tanglewood
All Summer, Lenox, MAConductor/director, James Levine and the Boston Symphony Orchestra work together to perform works by many of the beloved classical composers. Concerts include performances by Deborah Voigt, Emerson String Quartet, and Boston Pops.
10. Red Rocks Music Festival
Aug. 30-Sept. 4, Sedona, ArizonaThis weekend classical music festival features performers from The Phoenix Symphony, Arizona Opera, Philadelphia Orchestra and The Renaissance Music Academy of Virginia. Performances include works by Dvorak, Tchaikovsky, Medelssohn, and more.
