Hawaii International Music Festival’s inaugural season, “Thrill of the Senses,” runs Monday through Aug. 14 on three islands.
Founded by internationally acclaimed virtuoso violinist Eric Silberger and Metropolitan Opera Soprano Amy Shoremount-Obra, the festival will include classical music concerts and appearances on three islands: Oahu, Maui and the Big Island.
“Hawaii International Music Festival concerts will bring together world-class music, coffee, visual arts and Hawaiian culture,” said Carlin Ma, artistic program director and festival photographer. “Each event will be a collaboration across different disciplines, exploring how to listen deeper with all of our senses and discover a sense of wonder. Our main goal is to build artistic and educational partnerships with the community as we present music and art in a unique light that imprints an unforgettable experience.”
Collaborative partners include Taiko Drummer Kenny Endo, Chocolatier Will Lydgate of Steelgrass Farm, Rusty’s Hawaiian Coffee, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Pahala Plantation House and Hawaii Public Radio.
The festival kicks off on Monday at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park with Silberger, a co-founder of the festival who recently made international press for playing inside of Icelandic Volcano Thrihnukagigur. He will play at various locations around the park, including weather permitting, are Jaggar Museum’s overlook of Halemaumau Crater and in Thurston lava tube, in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the park’s establishment and the U.S. National Park Service.
At 7 p.m. that evening, Silberger will present a free concert of solo violin music at Volcano House. The concert will include the world premiere of a composition dedicated to the anniversary of the park.
The festival then heads to Oahu for a masterclass and concert before returning to the Big Island Aug. 13 for a concert celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Ka’u coffee region at Pahala Plantation House. Proceeds of the concert benefit Hawaii Public Radio. Tickets are $25.
Artists slated for the 6 p.m. Aug. 13 concert in Pahala include Metropolitan Opera Soprano Shoremount-Obra, Silberger, Louisiana Philharmonic Assistant Principal Cellist Daniel Lelchuk, yooung artist soprano Mikayla Sager and internationally acclaimed Canadian Pianist Ian Parker, who has appeared as soloist with the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra.
The festival closes Aug. 14 on Maui.
Info: www.himusicfestival.com.