Mozart Festival Vermont: A Legacy of Classical Music
Founded on a passion for the timeless works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the Mozart Festival in Vermont served as a cornerstone of the region's cultural landscape for over three decades. Established in 1974, the festival brought world-class classical music to diverse and scenic locations across the state, blending artistic excellence with the natural beauty of New England.
The Origins and Growth of the Festival
The festival was the vision of Melvin Kaplan, a distinguished oboist and teacher at Juilliard, who collaborated with conductor William Metcalfe and the University of Vermont (UVM) to bring the event to life. The inaugural season was dedicated entirely to Mozart, featuring ten concerts held over two weeks. These performances took place at a variety of unique venues, including the UVM Show Barn, the Royall Tyler Theatre, the Robert Hull Fleming Museum, St. Paul's Cathedral, and even aboard the S.S. Champlain.
One of the most significant milestones of the first season was the concert at Shelburne Farms, which marked the first time the site was opened for a public event. By the second season, the festival expanded its reach to 15 concerts and three workshops, a format that would remain largely consistent for the next 35 years.
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Expanding the Repertoire and Reach
Over its lifespan, the festival became a prolific showcase of classical music, performing more than 3,000 pieces across over 50 different locations. The commitment to Mozart was evident in the programming, with the festival performing at least 278 of Mozart's 626 known works.
Institutional Development and National Recognition
To ensure its longevity, the festival was incorporated as a non-profit organization in late 1976, with its first full board of directors assembled in early 1977. The organization soon gained national visibility after a successful fundraising campaign led to a feature on CBS Sunday Morning, which filmed a week of concerts on location.
The festival's offerings grew to include a winter concert series starting in 1978. This series gained further prestige in 1983 when National Public Radio (NPR) recorded the complete Winter Series and aired it on Performance Today.
Iconic Venues and Traditions
In 1984, the festival introduced concerts on the meadow of the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vermont. This location, along with Shelburne Farms, became one of the two most popular and largest sites for the festival. By the 2000s, the Trapp meadow concerts had evolved into a grand spectacle, concluding with fireworks displays.
The festival also maintained specific artistic traditions. The Summer Festival's Grand Opening Concert was traditionally preceded by a classical dressage exhibition (a highly skilled form of horse training), and the entire summer season always concluded with the performance of Mozart's Ave verum Corpus.
Key Facts
- Founded: 1974 by Melvin Kaplan and William Metcalfe.
- Repertoire: Performed over 3,000 pieces, including 278+ works by Mozart.
- Key Venues: Shelburne Farms and Trapp Family Lodge.
- Media Coverage: Featured on CBS Sunday Morning and NPR's Performance Today.
- Duration: Operated from 1974 until December 2010.
Festival Overview Summary
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founding Year | 1974 |
| Founders | Melvin Kaplan, William Metcalfe, University of Vermont |
| Total Works Performed | 3,000+ pieces |
| Mozart Works Covered | At least 278 of 626 |
| Closing Date | December 2010 |
Financial Challenges and Closure
Despite its artistic success, the festival faced significant financial instability in its later years. In early 2005, the executive director revealed a debt of approximately $140,000. While supporters managed to eliminate 65% of this debt within two seasons, internal conflict led to the executive director's resignation due to differences with the board of directors.
Following this leadership change, the financial situation worsened. Over the next four seasons, the deficit grew to nearly one-third of the festival's million-dollar annual budget. Unable to sustain its operations, the festival officially closed its doors following the final winter concert in December 2010.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded the Mozart Festival in Vermont?
The festival was founded in 1974 by oboist and Juilliard teacher Melvin Kaplan, in collaboration with conductor William Metcalfe and the University of Vermont.
Which venues were most popular for the festival?
The two largest and most popular concert sites were Shelburne Farms and the meadow of the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vermont.
How much of Mozart's work did the festival perform?
The festival performed at least 278 of Mozart's 626 known works.
What were some of the festival's unique traditions?
Traditions included a classical dressage exhibition before the Summer Festival's Grand Opening Concert and concluding the summer season with Mozart's Ave verum Corpus.
Why did the Mozart Festival close?
The festival closed due to mounting financial deficits that reached nearly one-third of its million-dollar annual budget, leading to its closure after the December 2010 winter concert.