Dear Friends

With 90 years of bringing the finest classical music to Portland-area audiences, who would ever have imagined we’d be doing so virtually?    

Despite the changes in the world this past year, what hasn’t changed is Ovations’ dedication to classical and other chamber music forms; connecting our audiences LIVE with extraordinary performers from around the world; and sharing in the delight, rigor and virtuosity of this beloved artform. Among the many wonderful surprises this year is you, our dedicated audience, and your commitment to tuning in.  

Sunday’s concert is the third chamber concert we’ve shared virtually, starting back in May 2020 with our first-ever virtual concert featuring the International Contemporary Ensemble and the presentation of two world premieres. That livestreamed concert was made possible and delivered in partnership with the Library of Congress. Far-reaching partnerships such as the one with the Library of Congress is yet another positive twist this year. In December 2020, we followed up with the holiday program “Winter Tales” by the acclaimed vocal group VOCES8. Even though we were an ocean and a time zone apart, the personable ensemble and our friends here in Maine, including corporate sponsor Great Diamond Partners, made the afternoon heartwarming and festive.  

For our spring 2021 chamber concert, and in keeping with our theme of international April, we focus specifically on sharing artists from away, far away – The Fauré Quartett Zooming in from Germany – and a familiar and favorite program, Modest Mussorgsky “Pictures at an Exhibition.” Linda Russell’s always excellent program notes offer a deeper look at this timeliness piece. And yet, there is more. From the live pre-concert chat with the musicians to a special encore, we have no doubt delightful surprises abound.   

Aimée M. Petrin
Executive & Artistic Director