Visit the Hunter area and enjoy concerts and other events at the Grazhda (05/04/03)

A Ukrainian Summer: where to go, what to do...

Visit the Hunter area and enjoy concerts and other events at the Grazhda

JEWETT, N.Y. - The Music and Art Center of Greene County, the first and oldest classical music summer concert series in the region, offers an opportunity to hear outstanding musicians perform in the architecturally unique Grazhda hall. An integral part of the Ukrainian cultural complex built around St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church, the Grazhda is situated in the beautiful natural setting of the Catskills in the Hunter area, a region that has experienced a remarkable growth in cultural awareness and new opportunities.

Established in 1983 by composer and musicologist Dr. Ihor Sonevytsky, the Music and Art Center has become an established presence in the region and on the Ukrainian cultural scene in general. This year, the center embarks on its 21st season under the direction of its new music director, pianist Volodymyr Vynnytsky, with Ika Koznarska Casanova, executive director.

Heading this summer's roster of performers at the Grazhda is internationally renowned concert pianist Alexander Slobodyanik in the opening concert of the season on July 5. The second concert of the season will feature Laryssa Krupa, piano, and Adrian Bryttan, violin, on July 19. Ms. Krupa, a graduate of the Peabody Conservatory, is an active performer and teacher, currently on the faculty of the County College of Morris in New Jersey. Mr. Bryttan, who has served as conductor of various national and international orchestras, opera companies and youth orchestras, is violin soloist and faculty member at the Pre-College Division of the Manhattan School of Music.

A new element - theater - is being introduced this season with the appearance on July 26 of Gregory Hlady. One of the most sought-after stage and cinema actors and directors in Eastern Europe, Mr. Hlady, known for his exploration of experimental technique, now works largely in French Quebec. Among his recent film credits are the Paramount film "The Sum of All Fears" (2001) and lead roles in Kim Nguyern's feature film "Le Marais" (2002) and, as Gen. Roman Shukhevych, in Oles Yanchuk's film "The Undefeated" (2001).

Soprano Halyna Wolanska, also of Montreal, will make her first appearance at the Grazhda on August 2. A graduate of the McGill Conservatory of Music with subsequent voice studies in Milan and Vienna, Ms. Wolanska made her European operatic debut in "Die Zauberflöte" at the Varna International Music Festival, her lieder debut in 1996 in Montreal and her North American operatic debut in 1998 in the role of Mimi in "La Bohème."

Pianist Neal Larrabee, acclaimed recitalist and soloist with orchestras who has concertized extensively in the United States and Europe, and member of the music performance faculty at the University of Connecticut, will appear in concert on August 16.

Recitalists and international laureates cellist Natalia Khoma and Mr. Vynnytsky, both graduates of the Lviv and Moscow conservatories who frequently perform together, will appear in concert on August 23.

This summer brings the return of a special guest artist, noted Ukrainian composer Myroslav Skoryk, currently on the faculties of both the Lviv and Kyiv conservatories, in a presentation based on his opera "Moisei" (Moses), which premiered in Lviv on June 23, 2001. The concert, to be held on August 30, will feature baritone Oleh Chmyr in the title role. Mr. Chmyr's most recent appearance was with the New Jersey State Opera this season in Leoncavallo's "Pagliacci."

The final concert of the season will take place on Sunday, August 31, featuring the Forte String Quartet - Mikhail Kuchuk and Oleksander Abayev, violin; Roumi Petrova, viola; Kalin Ivanov, cello - with Yuri Kharenko, violin; Ms. Khoma, cello; and Mr. Vynnytsky, piano.

General information - performance schedules, changes and updates, as well as detailed directions and membership information - is available online at: http://musicandartgc.brama.com. Information is also available by calling (518) 989-6479.

The center also offers four one-week workshops in Ukrainian folk arts - ceramics, beadwork (gerdany), embroidery, and pysanky - to be held July 28-August 1. A two-week program of Ukrainian folk-singing for children, under the direction of Anna Bachynska, will be held July 28-August 8, followed by a recital on August 9. To register call Ms. Bachynska at (718) 271-9387 by June 30.

The cultural center also has a gift shop featuring a fine array of Ukrainian arts and crafts. The parish hosts a buffet offering Ukrainian cuisine that is open to the public on Sundays at 11:30 a.m., after the liturgy.

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As a non-profit organization, the Music and Art Center invites interested individuals to become members and thus increase the membership base, which provides a substantial portion of the financial support that enables the center to work on the development of current and future programs. Inquiries should be addressed to: Music and Art Center of Greene County, P.O. Box 20, Jewett, NY 12442.

A Ukrainian Summer (main page)

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