LunART Festival

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courtesy Melinda Wagner

Composer Melinda Wagner is the artist in residence for the 2024 LunART Festival.

Melinda Wagner

“Rebirth” is the theme for the LunART Festival, an annual event celebrating women in the arts; it kicks off with a panel discussion on “Art and Motherhood” (7:30 p.m., May 29, ALL), featuring composer-in-residence Melinda Wagner, soprano Emily Birsan, poet R.B. Simon, visual artist Issis Macias, and musician/moderator Marie Pauls. Concerts include Birsan with a chamber ensemble (7:30 p.m., May 31, Hamel), a gala concert featuring new work by Pulitzer Prize-winner Wagner and this year’s call for scores winners (7:30 p.m., June 1, Hamel), and the Composers Hub participants (2:30 p.m., June 2, ALL). Find more info below.

media release: LunART Festival 2024

REBIRTH

Wednesday, May 29, 7:30 PM | Arts + Lit Lab: Panel Discussion "Art & Motherhood"

Join us for a captivating panel discussion featuring distinguished artists Melinda Wagner (composer, a Pulitzer-prize winner in 1999), Emily Birsan (soprano), Issis Macias (visual artist), R.B. Simon (poet), and moderator Marie Pauls (musician) as they delve into the intersection of art and motherhood. From composing symphonies to hitting high notes, and painting vibrant canvases, these talented individuals have mastered the delicate balance between nurturing their craft and nurturing their families. Free Event.

Friday, May 31, 7:30 PM | Hamel Music Center: Chamber Music with Emily Birsan, soprano

Join LunART’s annual celebration of diverse musical works featuring famous lieder to laments! A night to never forget with the performances of both masterworks and illuminating, contemporary pieces. Rejoice in the magical atmosphere that string quartets, Greek mythology, operatic voices, Scottish folklore, and skin drums will bring to light!

​Listen to the classic 6 Lieder, Op. 13 by Clara Schumann and ancient Greece’s most heartbreaking stories in operatic song– Purcell’s Dido’s Lament, and rediscover the story alongside us with Wagner’s Dido Reimagined. Not only will we venture into ancient times, as our Call For Scores winner–Lisa Neher’s she conjures will take us to 17th-century Scotland to examine the thrilling fates of revenge and redemption. General $35/Students $15.

Saturday, June 1, 7:30 PM | Hamel Music Center: Gala Chamber Music Concert

Witness a chamber music extravaganza full of sonorous trios, contemporary jazz quartets, string ensembles, ravenous percussion, vibraphone solo features, and a full women’s choir to celebrate the great finale of the LunART 2024 Festival!

Revel in the masterful works by 2024 Composer-In-Residence Melinda Wagner's Wick for sextet, Paola Prestini’s G Force for vibraphone and string quartet, and honoring the late Rachel Laurin’s Trio for flute, viola, and piano Op. 17. Specially featuring our 2024 Call For Scores winners and their intensely captivating works Trapped and Phantasmagoria: Claire Cope (United Kingdom) and Meg Okura (Japan), in addition to the fabulous ARTemis Choir! General $35/Students $15.

Sunday, June 2, 2:30 PM | Arts + Lit Lab: Composers Hub Spotlight Concert

Seven composers from far and wide come together for a performance of fresh, new chamber works at the 2024 LunART Festival. Presenting different facets of "REBIRTH," grounded in nature and the human experience, this performance will feature works by our Composer-in-Residence Melinda Wagner and our 2024 Composers Hub fellows: Addison Struckman, Alexa Canales, Campbell Helton, Joanne Na, Justine Stern Leichtling, and Yunfei Li. Reception to follow! Free Event.

Commemorative Print

LunART has commissioned local artist Issis Macis to create a commemorative visual artwork “REBIRTH” for the 2024 LunART Festival. The original painting will be auction at the festival. Similar smaller-size artworks will be available for purchase during the festival.

​Get your tickets today

Tickets for the LunART Festival 2024 are now on sale and can be purchased at lunartfestival.org. Bundle and save! Purchase tickets for both events at the Hamel Music Center and save $15 for general tickets or $10 for students. But don't wait—series ticket bundles are only available for purchase through Friday, May 31.

LunART Festival is supported by Arts Midwest, Dane Arts, First United Methodist Church, Madison Arts Commission, Marriott Foundation, MGE Foundation, Microtone Media, Pleasant Rowland Foundation, and WORT.

LunART’s mission is to support, inspire, promote, and celebrate ALL women in the arts through public performances, exhibitions, workshops, and interdisciplinary collaboration; thus enriching our community and creating a welcoming space for learning and experimentation.