SI Music Festival – The 14th annual Southern Illinois Music Festival through June 10 will provide audiences in nine local communities the opportunity to watch a variety of unique musical performances. (Photo provided)
May 29, 2018
Quality plus quantity: 2018 SI Music Festival offers everything in pairs
CARBONDALE, Ill — Why choose between quality and quantity when it comes to music? For its 14th annual tour, the Southern Illinois Music Festival introduces more than 36 performances across the region, featuring a unique combination of musical pairs.
The two-week festival runs through June 10 and features musical presentations that fit young and old audiences alike. The festival not only spans across multiple cities, such as Carbondale, Cairo, Herrin and Murphysboro, but also highlights music from a variety of styles and genres. Musicians from across four continents will be performing orchestral and chamber music, opera, patriotic music and jazz.
Music will be featured in intriguing pairs, such as two major symphonies by Beethoven and Brahms; the world premiere Double Concerto for Violin and Cello by Jacob Tews; Double Concertos by Bach, piano and clarinet performance by Mozart and Mendelssohn, and many more.
Media Advisory
Reporters, photographers and news crews are welcome to cover the festival. To arrange for interviews or for more information on the event, contact Edward Benyas, Southern Illinois Music Festival artistic director and conductor, at benyas@siu.edu or call 618/536-8742.
Grand finale features vocal/orchestral works by Mozart and Rossini
“Don’t miss our grand finale, Mozart’s opera, ‘The Magic Flute,’ which will be performed June 8 and 10. It will be sung in English with a fabulous cast, featuring the former Miss Illinois as Queen of the Night, and set inside a video game!” Edward Benyas, the Southern Illinois Music Festival artistic director and conductor, said.
Rossini’s incredible Mass will be the pairing work with Mozart’s opera and commemorates the 150th anniversary of Rossini’s death.
Local sponsors make this event possible
Multiple organizations, individuals and companies have partnered with the festival to share these performances with the region. Additionally, several free events are available for children to attend.
This festival is a major event of the School of Music at Southern Illinois University, and includes many students and faculty in both the organization and performance. The Chicago Tribune ranks the festival as one of the top 24 summer activities in an eight-state region and it is one of only four professional music festivals in Illinois.
The full festival schedule and ticket sales (including the SIFest pass) are available on the Southern Illinois Music Festival website. For further questions, contact Edward Benyas at benyas@siu.edu or call 618/536-8742.