SI Music Festival returns -- The annual SI Music Fest features everything from stage operas and orchestral concerts to chamber music, children’s performances and jazz events. A recent memorable highlight was the 2016 William Tell production. (Photo by Steve Buhman)
May 13, 2019
The 15th annual Southern Illinois Music Festival returns to the region May 24-June 9
CARBONDALE, Ill. — With more than three dozen performances in multiple cities and venues, the 15th annual Southern Illinois Music Festival is back stronger than ever.
Featuring two fully staged operas, three orchestral concerts, multiple chamber music performances, kids’ performances and jazz performances, the two-week summer festival offers genres and styles for all music lovers.
Two-weeks of music for the whole community
The festival runs May 24 through June 9. In keeping with the festival’s long-standing reputation as a Midwest travel treasure, performance highlights include both local and internationally recognized vocal and instrumental soloists.
Edward Benyas, festival director, sees the event as the perfect opportunity to bring exceptional music to the region. He notes the grand finale, Verdi’s tragic operate, “Il Trovatore” June 7 and 9 at SIU Carbondale’s Shryock Auditorium.
“The opera is sung in Italian with English supertitles, and includes an internationally acclaimed cast,” he said. “The previous weekend, we present Puccini’s one act comic opera, ‘Gianni Schicchi’, which features professionals alongside emerging singers in our 2nd annual Opera Young Artists Program.”
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.
Tickets available now
Tickets for all 2019 Southern Illinois Music Festival performances are available at the SIU Ticket Office and at the door the day of each performance.
Patrons may also purchase a non-transferable SIFest pass through the ticket office for $100. This will allow admission to all SIFest events (except the Chamber Music Soirées), The pass, a $160 value, offers no waiting in line for tickets and a program booklet is included.
Call 618/453-6000 for tickets or more information.
Events for everyone
With over 30 events, the Festival covers a variety of genres, locations and styles. Tickets are specific for each event. Casual dress is always welcome. More information is available at SIFest.com.
The 2019 schedule is:
May 24
- 7:30 p.m., New Arts Jazztet at the Varsity Center for the Arts. Tickets are $25.
May 28
- 7:30 p.m., Chamber Orchestra Concert: Handel, Haydn, Abel and Boulogne at First United Methodist Church in Carbondale. Tickets are $20 for adults and $8 for students.
May 29
- 10 a.m., Klassics for Kids at Du Quoin Library. Tickets are free.
- 10 a.m., Klassics for Kids at Christopher Civic Center. Tickets are free.
- 5 p.m., Eric McCluskey Recital at First United Methodist Church in Carbondale. Tickets are free.
May 30
- 6 p.m., Chamber Music Concert at Cairo Public Library. Tickets are free.
- 7 p.m., Chamber Music Soirèe, wine and hors d’oeuvres at Lake Indian Hills. Music by C. Schumann, Farrenc, Price, Tailleferre, Borodin and Mendelssohn. Tickets are $75.
May 31
- 7:30 p.m., Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi and Mendelssohn Strong Quartet at Shryock Auditorium. Tickets are $20 for adults and $8 for students.
June 1
- 11 a.m., Klassics for Kids at University Mall. Tickets are free.
- 3 p.m., Young Artists Program Opera Arias Performance at the Old Baptist Foundation Recital Hall. Tickets are free.
- 7:30 p.m., Orchestra Concert: Mendelssohn and Brahms at Carterville High School. Tickets are free.
June 2
- 1:15 p.m., Pre-Concert Lecture by Shirley Benyas at Shryock Auditorium, upstairs balcony, SIU Carbondale.
- 2 p.m., Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi and Back, Cantata 82 at Shryock Auditorium. Tickets are $20 for adults and $8 for students.
June 3
- 7:30 p.m., American Guild of Organists Isabella Demers Recital at Shryock Auditorium. Tickets are free.
June 4
- 11:30 a.m., Jive with Jazz at Murphysboro Youth and Recreation Center.
- 7:30 p.m., Chamber Music in Anna at Anna Arts Center. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students.
- 7:30 p.m., Chamber Music of Women Composers at First United Methodist Church in Carbondale. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for students.
June 5
- 10 a.m., Klassics for Kids at the Varsity Center for the Arts in Carbondale. Tickets are free.
- 10 a.m., Klassics for Kids at the Anna Arts Center. Tickets are free.
June 6
- 11 a.m., Jive with Jazz at the Boys and Girls Club in Carbondale. Tickets are free.
- 5 p.m., Benyas Family Recital at the First United Methodist Church in Carbondale. Donations accepted.
- 6 p.m., New Arts Jazztet at the Cairo Public Library. Tickets are free.
June 7
- 2 p.m., David Taylor Violin Master Class at Altgeld Hall, Room 110, SIU Carbondale, Tickets are free.
- 4 p.m., SI Fest Pre-College String Camp Recital at the Old Baptist Foundation, SIU Carbondale. Tickets are free.
- 5:30 p.m., New Arts Jazztet at Hanger 9 in Carbondale. Tickets are free.
- 7:30 p.m., Verdi’s II Trovatore, Shryock Auditorium. Tickets are $20 for adults and $8 for students.
June 8
- Noon -- Jive with Jazz at University Mall, Carbondale. Tickets are free.
- 3 p.m., Young Artists Program Opera Scenes Performance at Anna Arts Center. Tickets are free.
- 7:30 p.m., Orchestra Concert: Verdi, Lalo and Dvorak at Carterville High School. Tickets are $20 for adults and $8 for students.
June 9
- 1:15 p.m., Pre-concert lecture by Shirley Benyas at Shryock Auditorium, upstairs balcony.
- 2 p.m., Verdi’s II Trovatore at Shryock. Tickets are $20 for adults and $8 for students.
Support from community sponsors
A variety of local sponsors contributed to this year’s Music Festival. Sponsors include: Illinois Arts Council, SIU, WSIU Public Broadcasting, WSIL TV 3, SIU Foundation, Hastings Foundation, Samuel Goldman, Peter Gregory, Rob and Melissa Jensen, the late Richard and Ellen Bradley, Carolyn Wagner Snyder, Patricia Guyon, Jan and the late Bob Radtke, Susie Phillips, David and Helen Coracy, Southern Illinois Ob-Gyn Associates, First Bank and Trust Company, Meredith Funeral Homes, Ken Trimble and Country Financial and Anna Arts Center.
For more information, contact Edward Benyas, artistic director, at benyas@siu.edu or call 618/536-8742.