The mountains are alive with the sound of music this summer when this classical festival comes to Durango from July 6th through July 28th, 2019. For the last three decades the Music in the Mountains Festival has brought the sounds of classical music to the scenic town of Durango, Colorado. This exciting musical event features a number of high caliber performances, including orchestra, chamber and conservatory performances of classical and world music.
History of the Festival
The Music in the Mountains Festival was originally founded in 1987 by conductor Mischa Semanitzky. It was created with the support of The Durango Herald, Fort Lewis College, the Bank of Colorado, Morley Ballantine and Durango Mountain Resort. In 2008 the principal horn player for the Dallas Symphony, Gregory Hustis, became the new Artistic Director – succeeding Semanitzky. Members of the Dallas Symphony were very important in the original formation of the festival and the event maintains a lot of strong ties to the Dallas Music Community.
Event Schedule
There are a number of fantastic events to look forward to throughout the festival. Some of the highlights this year include Chocolate Indulgence, where guests will sample artisan desserts while listening to music from Boyd Meets Girl. Also, Charlie Chaplin’s Smile, including performances by Philippe Quint and Marta Aznavoorian, will showcase Chaplin’s most beautiful and well-known music. Don’t forget a visitor favorite, the Dinner & Family Concert, for a family friendly picnic and concert perfect for all ages.
Enjoy views of the Twilight Peaks while indulging in a variety of artisan desserts. Animas Chocolate Company and the Ore House restaurant will create numerous “duets” that pair handcrafted chocolate desserts with a specialty cocktail, beer, or wine as a prelude to a magical musical evening.
Tips for Visiting the Festival
If you are planning on taking part in the festival this year, here are some helpful tips to keep in mind:
- Many performances are held within a tent which can be cool in the evenings, so bring along a coat or a sweater.
- Comfortable shoes are recommended, as walking to the festival tent requires walking up a set of stairs and down a paved foot path.
- Tickets for the concerts can be purchased online up until noon on the day of the concert.
- It is also possible to purchase a “Grass Pass” so that you can sit outside on the grass and listen. The musicians on stage will not be visible, but the tickets are only $5 so it is a nice way to enjoy the music on a budget while admiring the sights of the San Juan Mountains.
- It’s a good idea to plan for lodging nearby the event. Silverpick Lodge is a good choice for a conveniently located mountain spot close to the festival activities. You should also check out our campgrounds page if you’re looking to do something a little different.
