The centennial of Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin kicks off this week. A variety of celebratory exhibitions, tours and concerts will take place through Oct. 31 (see taliesinpreservation.org.)
"Experiencing Taliesin is a perfect way to understand an important chapter in American cultural history and to become imprinted with the power of this amazing building," says Victor Sidy, dean of the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture. The school divides its time between Taliesin near Spring Green and Taliesin West, in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Special events will occur at Wright's estate and at his nearby Hillside Home School. This year's Taliesin tours begin April 28 and include an exhibition of rarely seen photos.
The centennial will be a chance to see the Hillside school's theater brought back to life. Bach Dancing and Dynamite Society, Li Chiao-Ping Dance and the Chicago Chamber Musicians will present works in the striking but seldom-used venue throughout the summer.
A separately organized series of classical music performances will also be held starting May 15 at Wright-designed houses in Chicago and the Madison area, including Madison's Jacobs I and Gilmore houses. "Frank Lloyd Wright and Music: Great Music in Homes Designed by America's Greatest Architect" will include the Shumi String Quartet and pianist Christopher Taylor. Proceeds benefit the Wright School of Architecture.
"These performances, by some very fine artists, have a magical transcendent quality, a marriage of music and architecture," says Terry Haller, an organizer. Visit franklloydwright.org for details.
