Bravo! Vail opener a success

VAIL — Bravo! Vail opened with passion Wednesday night with possibly the largest crowd in attendance for opening night. The Dallas Symphony Orchestra took the stage with the charismatic Jaap van Zweden conducting. The audience welcomed back John Giovando as the interim executive director of the organization, who returned to take the helm for the season.

The music was magnificent; renowned violinist and conductor Pinchas Zukerman performed Beethoven’s Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 61 and received the first standing ovation of the night. The all-Beethoven evening was completed with his evocative Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92.

After the concert, patrons attended a celebratory welcome party at the Manor Vail.

Founded in 1987, the festival has grown from a relatively local event to what NPR has claimed is one of the top 10 classical festivals in the United States, entertaining guests and performers from all around the world. The Dallas Symphony is in residence through Wednesday, followed up by The Philadelphia Orchestra through July 18. The New York Philharmonic takes the stage July 24. Not only are there performances of the full orchestras at Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, but the festival is very diverse, offering many creative offerings: free concerts at the Vail Chapel, Brush Creek Pavilion and Gypsum Town Hall, Bravo After Dark at the Ale House and Crazy Mountain Brewery (also free), elegant soirees at private homes throughout the valley and “Classically Uncorked” at Donovan Pavilion.

To purchase tickets, call the ticket office at 877-812-5700 or visit their website at http://www.bravovail.org.