Festival del Sole (Classical music festival) July 16, 2006

Russian National Orchestra with Anne Sofie Von Otter, mezzo soprano, Joshua Bell, violin, Alan Gilbert, conductor
Sunday, July 16th at 6:30 p.m. at the Lincoln Theater ? Tickets: $45, $75, $100, $125
The Russian National Orchestra has been in demand throughout the music world ever since its 1990 Moscow premiere. Of the orchestra's 1996 debut at the BBC Proms in London, the Evening Standard wrote, ?They played with such captivating beauty that the audience gave an involuntary sigh of pleasure.? In 2004 they were described as ?a living symbol of the best in Russian art? (Miami Herald) and ?as close to perfect as one could hope for? (Trinity Mirror). GrammyŽ-Award winning violinist Joshua Bell was Billboard Magazine?s ?2004 Classical Artist of the Year? and is a recent inductee into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame, along with the legendary Frank Sinatra. Anne Sofie Von Otter is considered to be one of the finest singers of her generation and is sought after by many of the major conductors, orchestras, opera and recording companies of the world. Tickets are available exclusively through the Lincoln Theater Box Office or website. (707) 944-1300 or www.lincolntheater.org.

Christopher Taylor, pianist
Monday, July 17 at 7 p.m. at the Napa Valley Opera House ? Tickets: $50
The past few years have seen Christopher Taylor emerge as one of the nation?s foremost musicians. Audiences and critics alike hail the intensity and artistry he brings to the works of masters ranging from Bach and Beethoven to Boulez and Bolcom. The Washington Post, for instance, deems Mr. Taylor ?one of the most impressive young pianists on the horizon today,? and the New York Times termed a recent performance ?astonishing.? Join this acclaimed pianist for a recital of Olivier Messian's ?Vingt Regards sur l'Enfant Jésus,? a monument of mystical music. This extremely rare performance of the entire work will be a tour de force not to be missed! Tickets are available exclusively through the Lincoln Theater Box Office or website. (707) 944-1300 or www.lincolntheater.org.

Frederica Von Stade, mezzo soprano, Samuel Ramey, bass, Carlo Ponti, Jr., conductor, Russian National Orchestra
Wednesday, July 19 at 8 p.m. at the Lincoln Theater ? Tickets: $45, $75, $100, $125
Hailed by The New York Times as ?one of America's finest artists and singers,? Frederica von Stade is recognized as one of the most beloved musical figures of our time, enriching the world of classical music for three decades with her appearances in opera, concert, and recitals. Tickets are available exclusively through the Lincoln Theater Box Office or website. (707) 944-1300 or www.lincolntheater.org.

Emerson String Quartet
Thursday, July 20 at 6 p.m. at the Napa Valley Opera House ? Tickets: $50
Acclaimed for its insightful performances, brilliant artistry and technical mastery, the Emerson String Quartet is one of the world's foremost chamber ensembles, and has amassed an impressive list of achievements: six GrammyŽ Awards including two unprecedented honors for ?Best Classical Album,? three Gramophone Magazine awards and performances of the complete cycles of Beethoven, Bartók and Shostakovich quartets in major concert halls throughout the world. The ensemble is lauded globally as a string quartet that approaches both classical and contemporary repertoire with equal mastery and enthusiasm. Tickets are available exclusively through the Lincoln Theater Box Office or website. (707) 944-1300 or www.lincolntheater.org.

Russian National Orchestra with Nikolaj Znaider, violin, Piotr Anderszewski, piano, Stéphane Den?ve, conductor
Friday, July 21 at 7 p.m. at Lincoln Theater ? Tickets: $45, $75, $100, $125
Piotr Anderszewski is widely regarded as one of the most exciting pianists of his generation. Since first coming to public attention at the 1990 Leeds Piano Competition, he has become a familiar figure on the international concert platform, recognized for the intensity and originality of his interpretations. Anderszewski has been singled out for several high profile awards - the prestigious Szymanowski Prize in 1999 for his interpretations of the composer's music and, in 2001, the Royal Philharmonic Society?s ?2000 Best Instrumentalist? award. In April 2002 he was named Gilmore Artist, succeeding previous winner Leif Ove Andsnes. Described by the prestigious award?s advisory panel as ?truly extraordinary,? Anderszewski will be Gilmore Laureate until 2006, appearing regularly at the Gilmore keyboard festival in Michigan and receiving financial assistance towards his career goals. Nikolaj Znaider is now established as one of the foremost violinists of his generation and is invited regularly to work with many of the world?s leading orchestras. In recital and chamber music performances Znaider appears at many of the world?s leading concert halls and festivals. Tickets are available exclusively through the Lincoln Theater Box Office or website. (707) 944-1300 or www.lincolntheater.org.

Sarah Chang, violin, Piotr Anderszewski, piano, Russian National Orchestra
Saturday, July 22 at 7 p.m. at the Lincoln Theater ? Tickets: $45, $75, $100, $125
Born in Philadelphia, Sarah Chang began to study the violin at the age of four and within a year performed with orchestras in the Philadelphia area. At age 8 her early auditions led to immediate engagements with the New York Philharmonic and the Philadelphia Orchestra. Now 21 years old, Sarah Chang is recognized the world over as one of classical music's most captivating and gifted artists. Appearing in the music capitals of Asia, Europe and the Americas, she has collaborated with nearly every major orchestra. Tickets are available exclusively through the Lincoln Theater Box Office or website. (707) 944-1300 or www.lincolntheater.org.

Russian National Orchestra with Renée Fleming, soprano, Nina Kotova, cello, Stéphane Den?ve, conductor
Sunday, July 23 at 6:30 p.m. at Lincoln Theater ? Tickets: $45, $90, $115, $150
Renée Fleming?s vocal artistry is acclaimed worldwide as the ?gold standard of soprano sound.? The two-time Grammy Award winner?s sensuous voice, interpretive skills and stylistic versatility are sought after on stage and in recordings. A champion of new music as well as the standard repertoire, the American soprano performs throughout the world?s most distinguished venues with today?s foremost orchestras and conductors. Recognized as a risk-taker in her field, Ms. Fleming has created many roles for the operatic stage and has premiered numerous songs written for her, earning her the respect of her colleagues and praise from the press as one of the great artists of our day. Born into a family of musicians and scientists, Russian cellist Nina Kotova has been hailed as ?unforgettable,? ?passionate and inspiring? and as having ?powerfully expressive energy with a technique of utter mastery.? Nina Kotova was accepted by the cello faculty into an adult class of the Moscow Conservatory at the age of seven, while studying at the Central Music School Pre-Conservatory. Nina is also an accomplished composer, and her compositions have been recorded and performed in venues including Carnegie Hall. Her debut CD on Philips Classics sold over 60,000 copies, remaining on the Billboard Charts for several months. Tickets are available exclusively through the Lincoln Theater Box Office or website. (707) 944-1300 or www.lincolntheater.org.

Official Website: http://www.lincolntheater.org