July 12: The Juliet Letters
4:00 pm – The Oster Regent Theater
Inspired by a professor in Verona who took it upon himself to answer correspondence sent to the fictional character of Juliet Capulet, The Juliet Letters is a song cycle in which each of the songs is a letter: love letters, begging letters, suicide notes, Dear John letters, breakup letters, and even junk mail.
The entire program is a tribute to not only Costello’s masterwork, but the idea of “classical crossover” and the current synthesis of rock, jazz, pop, and world musics into the classical tradition.
About this program
Tributo a Hermeto
World-premiere by local composer, Jonathan Schwabe. Tributo a Hermeto is inspried by a documentary about Brazilian composer Hermeto Pascoal. Mr. Pascoal passed away last year and so this work is the composer’s respectful commentary on the powerful impression left by his music.
Song Book Vol. 3
Scored for wind quintet and percussion soloist, Song Book, Vol. 3 was commissioned by the award winning quintet, WindSync. The collection features four pieces written as musical thank-you’s from the composer to artists who have inspired his own work.
Two Stepping
Mason Bynes is a composer who finds her inspiration and influences from gospel, R&B, rock, funk, and acoustic music. Her compositions blend these genres together, bringing different listeners, different people, together.
The Juliet Letters
Composed in 1993, this work is a a song cycle based on letters which are sometimes cynical, sometimes heartbroken, and range from humorous (like a woman leaving her money to her pets) to poignant tales from the afterlife.
Thank you to our 2026 Season Partners and Sponsors
We are grateful for the support of our partners and sponsors who help make the Cedar Valley Chamber Music Festival possible.
