Classical music-focused nonprofit Mainly Mozart debuted a new series of concerts Saturday evening, pairing some of the most respected musicians in the country with curated wines.
The Sommelier Series: The Concertmasters, began Saturday at Fairbanks Ranch Country Club, and will feature concertmasters from the Philadelphia Orchestra, Dallas Symphony and Los Angeles Philharmonic over its three dates. The latter two concerts are scheduled for Jan. 11 and Feb. 8 next year.
“We used the inspiration of March’s Culinary Concerto gala which paired world-class music with fine wine and fare, in creating the Sommelier Series,” said Nancy Laturno, Mainly Mozart co-founder and CEO. “There’s such a rich history and depth of feeling that exists with classical music. It is a uniquely emotive art form and we believe that this will be a sensory experience that you’ll never forget.”
Each of the concerts will feature wines curated by one of the region’s top sommeliers — coordinated by “MasterChef” winner and judge Chef Claudia Sandoval.
The concerts will begin with an hour-long wine and appetizer reception at 6 p.m. followed by a discussion with the sommelier, followed by the concert at 7 p.m. Wine will be poured between musical selections, and sommeliers and musicians will “illustrate the connection of the wine to the pieces being performed,” a statement from Mainly Mozart reads.
Philadelphia Orchestra Concertmaster David Kim and Sommelier Rafael Peterson will team up for Saturday’s 6 p.m. concert, featuring performances by Philadelphia Orchestra musicians Burchard Chang, viola and Priscilla Lee, cello. The concert will feature works by Beethoven, Handel and Dohnanyi.
Tickets range from $125 to $500 per concert and are on sale at https://www.mainlymozart.org/.
–City News Service
