As we reflect on the 2024 season of the Geneva Music Festival, themed “Light and Dark,” we are filled with immense gratitude and pride. This year’s festival was an exploration of the profound dichotomies that shape the human experience, presented through a tapestry of musical works. For me, the pieces and performances helped me contemplate, meditate, and find inspiration that carried me through the remainder of the summer. As always, the performances I hear by my friends and colleagues at the festival are some of the most moving I experience all year long.
Our repertoire included a blend of canonical masterpieces such as Frank’s Piano Quintet, Schönberg’s Verklärte Nacht, and Mendelssohn’s String Quartet in D Major, Op. 44, No. 1, alongside remarkable lesser-known gems. Highlights included Reena Esmail’s Saans, George Antoine’s Piano Quartet, and a world premiere of a work by our very own Mark Olivieri from Hobart and William Smith Colleges. Discovering new or underperformed works and shining a light on their beauty is a great joy for all of the musicians at the festival.
We were thrilled to welcome back many of our beloved GMF artists and to introduce new performers and ensembles to our audiences. The award-winning Biribá Union, under the leadership of Mike Block, kicked off our festival with an extraordinary fusion of musical genres. Additionally, the Brentano String Quartet made their debut performance, captivating our audiences with their exquisite artistry. Violinist Blake Pouliot also made a dazzling debut, highlighting his virtuosity and charisma. The ongoing development of our roster of musicians is exciting to see as the festival reaches new heights year over year.
My heartfelt thanks go to the festival’s supporters, patrons, board members, and volunteers. Your devoted commitment for bringing the gift of music to the Geneva community has been the cornerstone of our success. Over the course of four magical weeks, we enjoyed memorable musical experiences in our beautiful city, strengthening community ties – new and old – and, all the while, creating cherished memories together.
— Geoffrey Herd, Director