Famous names, newcomers and returning favourites highlight the 2010 Elora Festival season.
The four-week program kicks off Friday, July 9 with an evening of Beethoven at the Gambrel Barn, the traditional home of the festival's showpiece concerts.
Beethoven's Symphony No. 7 (A major) is an "absolutely effervescent work", according to festival general manager Jurgen Petrenko. Written in 1811-12, the symphony premiered at a charity concert for wounded soldiers; inspirational for both composers and music lovers, themes often show up in movies and commercials.
The symphony is followed by the Mass in C, a work that's one of the composer's least-often performed works, Petrenko says, perhaps because of its difficulty.
A reception open to anyone attending the opening night show follows the concert - people will get to sample product from a handful of local restaurants.
"I'm pretty excited about (the season) because we're now on a solid track to move forward," Petrenko says.
Last year, for the 30th anniversary season, organizers "went all out, especially with the quarry, and that cost us a great deal of money," he said. To commemorate the anniversary, the festival ran three shows in the Elora Quarry - including Natalie MacMaster and Serena Ryder.
"Last year we took a lot of risks," he said. "This year we're not taking as many chances, but we're still offering an exciting program."
The opening weekend continues with mezzo soprano Jennifer Enns Modolo and a piano recital by Todd Yaniw Saturday afternoon, leading up to the Saturday night concert in the Gambrel Barn by Canadian jazz legend Peter Appleyard.
"Swing Swing Swing" will feature Appleyard's trademark vibraphone, backed by his big band in a tribute to the renowned Benny Goodman.
Sunday's concerts get underway with Echoes of Paradise, an afternoon of choral music by the Elora Festival Singers, conducted by the festival's artistic director Noel Edison.
Then it's the Elora Festival Orchestra with guest Michael Bloss on the St. John's Church organ, performing works written for Salzburg Cathedral by Mozart.
The festival's second week features the popular Young Performers Competition, the festival's first dance night - featuring the Toronto All-Star Big Band and a special dance floor in the barn for a night of swing dancing, the return of chamber orchestra Les Violins du Roy, and up-and-coming jazz musician Chris Donnelly.
Also returning this year is classical pianist Andre Laplante, who's become an audience favourite at the festival, returning for his third performance.
"He's a great musician," Petrenko says, and points out that he's also a favourite of artistic director Noel Edison - and audiences.
This year Laplante's Sunday afternoon recital on July 25 has been moved into Knox Presbyterian Church, in response to some audience comments that the afternoon environment around the Gambrel Barn was too noisy to enjoy the performance, Petrenko said.
There are plans to bring Laplante back to the area later in the year for a special concert with the festival singers.
Third week highlights also include an evening of opera highlights featuring Richard Margison, music of the Tudor era, and baroque ensemble I Furiosi.
The festival's fourth week includes a tribute to Broadway featuring jazz pianist David Warrack and his combo with singer Jackie Richardson, backed by the Elora Festival Singers, and the Saturday, July 31 concert by singer John McDermott in a "celebration of all things Celtic."
But the real highlight of the festival are the Elora Festival Singers themselves, Petrenko says.
"They're really one of the best choirs in the world, and we have the opportunity to hear them in their natural habitat," he said. "We're really lucky to have them."
This year's festival features the singers in eight concerts performing a variety of musical styles, plus Thursday Choral Evensongs and Festival Sunday services at St. John's Church.
The festival runs July 9 to Aug. 1, with performances mostly Thursday to Sunday.
Complete festival details are listed in a brochure program available at many locations in the area, and online at www.elorafestival.com. Tickets can be ordered by phone at 519-846-0331, online through the website, by mail at PO Box 370, Elora, ON N0B 1S0 or in person at the festival office, 33 Henderson St., Elora.