‘Midsummer’ night’s Mozart dream in Sonoma

Buena Vista Winery hosts program featuring violin and viola solos|

When you think of mid-summer, visions of beaches, tank tops and frosty cocktails might spring to mind. Sonoma, however, is adding Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to that list – as the Midsummer Mozart Festival brings the 18th century Viennese composer’s music to 21st century ears once again.

On Saturday, July 22 at Buena Vista Winery, the festival will present a program that begins with the K. 201 symphony in A major, followed by the K. 251 divertimento in D major which, according to festival officials, Mozart scored for two horns, one oboe, and the usual string section.

The “grand finale” of the evening will be the K. 364 sinfonia concertante in E-flat major, with extended solo parts for violin and viola. Soloists are long-time veterans of Midsummer Mozart Festival concerts, Concertmaster Robin Hansen and violist Elizabeth Prior.

Hansen, a 20-year veteran of Midsummer Mozart, performs regularly with the San Francisco Opera and has been concertmaster at Stern Grove Festival for the SF Ballet Orchestra where she holds first violin position. She is also a member of the Skywalker Symphony which records movie and video score projects at Skywalker Ranch in Marin County.

Prior, meanwhile, is the principal violist with the Santa Rosa Symphony and a member of the New Century Chamber Orchestra.

Program starts at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $60 and $75. Visit midsummermozart.org for information.

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