(June 25 – August 4, 2012) Founded in 1987, the Bravo! Festival prides itself as a summer destination for classical music lovers, boasting four orchestras in residence — most recently the New York Philharmonic, The Philadelphia Orchestra, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and the National Repertory Orchestra — and guest artists such as conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin, pianists Kirill Gerstein and Jean-Yves Thibaudet, violinists Joshua Bell and Gil Shaham, mandolinist Chris Thile, double bassist Edgar Meyer, composer Gabriel Kahane, and the Calder Quartet, to name just a few.
Running from late June through early August, prominent themes have included compositional legends Beethoven and Mahler, as well as a sonic glimpse at the scope of American music. Concerts vary from symphonic and chamber music to pops fare, all in a picturesque and pastoral setting. The festival also offers free family concerts, instrument petting zoos, pre-concert lectures, open rehearsals, and Bach on the Rocks, a social networking group for young professionals. (DK)
Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival Information
- Venues: Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, Vail; Vilar Performing Arts Center, Beaver Creek
- Public Transportation: Good
- Handicapped Accessibility: Good
- Performances/Programs: The festival runs from late June to early August and features renowned orchestras, soloists, and chamber musicians. Performance schedule varies
- Admission: $23-$84. One or two free performances are also offered
- Group Discounts: Discounts available for groups of 15 or more
- Subscriptions/Memberships: Several subscription packages are offered. The Amphitheater subscription consists of reserved or premium-reserved tickets to every Bravo orchestra performance at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater for 10% off the total price. The Complete Classics package allows subscribers to purchase regular-reserved or premium-reserved tickets to every classical Bravo performance (11 total) and receive a 10% discount. The Club Bravo! pass ($139–$169) provides subscribers with lawn seating to all Amphitheater concerts. Other subscription options, including a Teen pass for young music aficionados ($39), are also available
- Educational/Community Outreach: Music Matters is the festival’s free community music education program.