These nights, it’s all Amadeus

Thu., July 13, 2006

By Jim Kershner jimkershner@comcast.net

The name of the concert is “Mozart on a Summer’s Eve,” and this year the organizers are serious about that “Mozart” part.

They’re calling it “An Amadeus Birthday Party,” in honor of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s 250th birthday year. This elegant outdoor event Tuesday and Wednesday will consist of 100 percent Mozart with “no stinkin’ interlopers,” as music director Verne Windham elegantly puts it.

Mozart arias, Mozart quartets, Mozart quintets, Mozart overtures and Mozart serenades will be performed by the Connoisseur Concerts Wind Ensemble and the husband-wife vocal duo of Heather Steckler Parker and Derrick Parker.

Nature will also have a featured role, providing the sunset, the bird songs and floral scent from Manito Park’s Duncan Gardens.

Despite the title, “Mozart on a Summer’s Eve” hasn’t always been so Wolfgang-heavy. Over the concert’s 15-year history, audiences have heard Lizst, Haydn, Beethoven, Gounod and even some modern American standards.

But not this year. Windham said it seemed the right thing to do because of the birthday celebration, and also because Mozart makes the perfect showcase for the Parkers. They will perform the duets “Bei Mannern, welche Liebe fuhlen” from “The Magic Flute” and “La ci darem la mano” from “Don Giovanni.”

Heather Parker, a soprano originally from Spokane, has performed at the Manito concerts in previous years, but this will be the first appearance by her husband Derrick, a bass-baritone.

Only about 40 percent of the program will be vocal. The rest will feature Mozart’s instrumental music, including such well-loved pieces as the Overture to “Cosi fan tutti” and the Serenade in C Minor.

In addition, the Wind Ensemble will perform three pieces that will show off individual instruments and performers: Oboe Quartet in F, featuring Bethany Schoeff; Clarinet Quintet in A, featuring James Schoepflin; and Horn Quintet in E flat, featuring Roger Logan and Windham.

The music is not the only attraction. “Mozart on a Summer’s Eve” has become a favorite Spokane event because of the (usually) perfect marriage between music and Mother Nature. Ticketholders may arrive as early as 5:30 p.m. to have a picnic before the concert.

“We’ve been fortunate to almost always have really great weather,” said Windham. “On a hot day, by evening, it’s absolutely perfect.”

And just in case it isn’t, the rain venue will be at St. John’s Cathedral, Grand Boulevard and 12th Avenue.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.