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In classical Greece, an oracle was a mystical place of prophecy, wisdom, and enlightenment. The most sacred of the oracles housed the temple to Apollo, the god of poetry, art, and music.
How fitting that a town named Oracle should house a world class music festival focused on cultural innovation and artistic fusion.
For over a year, directors of a new non-profit committed to cultural education and community outreach, called “The Oracle Piano Society,” (also known simply as “The Oracle”), have labored to build a music festival inspired by the stunningly beautiful boulder strewn terrain of this Arizona high desert hamlet. The current board of directors consists entirely of enthusiastic Oracle residents including Dr. Elizabeth LaFarge, Rachel Opinsky, Elaine Helzer, and Mary Huebner.
The Oracle has also partnered with local and statewide businesses including the Oracle Fire Department, Oracle State Park, Oracle Women’s Network, Cherry Valley Ranch Camp, Triangle L Ranch, El Rancho Robles, Ravenscroft Pianos, and Friends of Tempe Center for the Arts. The Oracle boasts an Artist Advisory Committee consisting of pianist professors from the Manhattan School of Music, New England Conservatory, New York University, University of Arizona, and Arizona State University.
Some of you may have already seen the The Oracle’s glowing piano at Triangle L’s Glow Fest as well as posters around town. Now, after much preparation, The Oracle is pleased to present its inaugural fundraiser performance titled “Picture Rachmaninoff” on Nov. 30, 2013, 7:30 p.m. at the Desert View Performing Arts Center in Saddlebrooke 2.
Written by Radio Hall of Famer Paul Harvey, Jr., this unique production fuses the elements of a piano recital, poetry recitation, painting exhibition, and theatre production to create a new genre of musical performance. The concert features live performances of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s virtuoso EtudesTableaux, Op. 39 for piano, poetry readings by Paul Harvey, Jr., and animated projections of Russian paintings. The evening will begin with an on stage interview with Paul Harvey, Jr. and Artist Advisory Committee Chair, Robert Hamilton. VIP ticket holders will join the performer, the board of directors, and members of the artist advisory committee including Paul Harvey, Jr., and Robert Hamilton for a post concert cocktail reception.
Dedicated to community outreach, The Oracle Piano Society has also worked with art teacher Stacey Marko and her Desert Vista High School students in preparation for the production. Marko and her students have created extraordinary paintings for on stage display at the performance.
Funds raised at the “Picture Rachmaninoff” concert will help The Oracle Piano Society establish a permanent presence in the community of Oracle featuring dynamic and innovative performance events of the highest caliber including an annual music festival, public classes presented by our guest artists, and educational opportunities for local schools.
To find out more information about The Oracle and how you can help, please visit: www.oraclepianosociety.org or www.facebook.com/oraclepianosociety.
Concert Details
Inaugural Fundraiser Performance Sally Fender Concert
“Picture Rachmaninoff” Starring Stephen Cook Directed by Robert Hamilton Written by Paul Harvey, Jr.
Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013
Desert View Performing Arts Center at SaddleBrooke 39900 Clubhouse Drive Tucson, AZ 85739
General admission $25 regular $30 at door
VIP tickets $88 ($48 of the VIP ticket cost is tax deductible)
Purchase online at: http://tickets.saddlebrooketwo.com.
Call 520-825-2818 to purchase VIP tickets.
Educational Events
PreConcert talk at the Oracle State Park hosted by Dr. Stephen Cook, Artistic Director
Nov. 16 at 3 p.m.
Cost: Free with park admission
Future Performances
Robert Hamilton “Rites of Spring”
April 19, 2014
Dr. James DeMars “The Four Seasons”
Oct. 18, 2014
Eteri Andjaparidze “Symphonic Dances”
Nov. 22, 2014
There are news or informational items frequently written by staff or submitted to the Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner, Superior Sun, Pinal Nugget or Oracle Towne Crier for inclusion in our print or digital products. These items are not credited with an author.
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