WINONA LAKE - All good things must come to an end.
This weekend, the MasterWorks Festival is concluding its 2008 season. And according to Dr. Patrick Kavanaugh, artistic director for MasterWorks, it's been a successful season.
"It's been, by far, the best we've ever had," Kavanaugh said in a telephone interview this morning.
This is the 12th year for the MasterWorks Festival, and the seventh year for the annual event in Indiana, he said. The annual festival is presented by The Christian Performing Artists' Fellowship.
This weekend's events will include theatrical performances and concerts.
A MasterWorks Theatre performance of "Tartuffe" by Jean Baptiste Moliere will be Thursday at 8 p.m.; Friday at 2 and 8 p.m.; and Saturday at 2 p.m. All performances are in the McClain Auditorium. John Kirby is the show's director.
Kavanaugh said "Tartuffe" is a comedy. Sometimes called "The Imposter," he said the show is about one man trying to be high society, but he is slowly brought down. Though he's read the play, Kavanaugh said he's never seen a production of "Tartuffe," so he will be excited to see it.
"Kirby is doing a great job. He's been very impressed with the caliber of the kids," said Kavanaugh.
Friday, Andrew Sewell will conduct the MasterWorks Philharmonic Orchestra in Rodeheaver Auditorium at 7:30 p.m.
The concert will feature "Academic Festival, Op. 80" by Johannes Brahms, "Variations on a Rococo Theme" by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky with cello soloist Alan Harrell and "Symphony No. 6 'Pastoral', Op. 68" by Ludwig Van Beethoven.
The last concert of the MasterWorks Festival will be at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Rodeheaver Auditorium. David Bowden will conduct the MasterWorks Festival Orchestra.
Music for the show will include "La Forza Del Destino Overture" by Giuseppe Verdi, "Concerto for Piano No. 4, Op 60" by Ludwig Van Beethoven, with piano soloist Ann Schein, and "Concerto for Orchestra" by Bela Bartok.
Kavanaugh said that when audiences hear the orchestra, they will think they're hearing a professional orchestra, they're that good. "I'm extremely pleased," he said.
The shows at Rodeheaver Auditorium have been packed this summer, he said. They've had to bring in extra seats, he said, with thousands attending the outdoors concerts.
More than 230 students participated in MasterWorks this year, with almost 100 faculty. Planning for next year's festival already has started.
"It can't wait," said Kavanaugh. "The faculty are from all over the place, so I've got to use them while I've got them."
According to the MasterWorks Festival Web site, "The MasterWorks Festival is a four-week classical performing arts training program that offers advanced and passionate students of music, dance, opera and theater the opportunity to learn from professional Christian performing artists in their respective field. What sets MasterWorks apart from other summer festivals is the integration of faith with the performing arts, creating an artistic environment unlike any other.
"Located in Winona Lake, MasterWorks offers top-level students 10 different programs, an opportunity to work with nearly 100 faculty and guest artists from around the world and spiritual teaching designed specifically for performing artists."
Many of the students participating this year in the festival are from big cities. Kavanaugh said the kids can't believe how friendly everyone in the area has been.
He said, "I just want to thank everyone that's been so supportive."
For more information, call 888-836-2723, or visit online at www.masterworksfestival.org
