GARRETT LAKES ARTS FESTIVAL BEGAN WITH A VISION OF A MUSIC FESTIVAL IN GARRETT COUNTY.
In December 1986, a group of Garrett County residents gathered to explore that vision and a related proposal from local resident Kathryn Sincell and violinist Erick Friedman. The joint desire was to promote cultural and artistic activities in the county and to rekindle the Mountain Chautauqua spirit, once a hallmark of Garrett County life. A core of 22 citizens evolved from the originators, many of whom remained in leadership roles, serving with dedication and distinction in the ensuing years. GLAF is a non-profit 501(3)(C) corporation.
Garrett County Students Attend Presentation of “Tosca”
The Garrett Lakes Arts Festival sponsored a trip for Northern and Southern High School Students to attend the presentation of “Tosca” by the Maryland Symphony Orchestra and HUB Opera.
Theatre students from both Northern and Southern High Schools were provided with tickets and transportation to this event held on February 11, 2018. This opera was presented as a semi-staged production in Italian with English supertitles and featuring guest artists: Hub Opera Ensemble.
This opera leads the audience to “Step into the web of politics, police brutality, betrayal, jealousy and murder in Puccini’s blood-soaked and intense Tosca. In Rome, the fiery and celebrated singer Floria Tosca has no idea that her life, and that of the man she loves, will irrevocably change the very next day. In a whirlwind of events, Tosca is forced to save her rebellious lover from the tainted hands of the treacherous chief of police and must take a stand while looking death in the face. Will she murder for the man she loves? Will she save her lover in time? What will become of her? With passionate arias and soaring, sensuous melodies, Tosca’s power and raw emotion will leave you breathless.”
The students had the opportunity to meet with MSO Conductor/Music Director, Elizabeth Schulze after the performance to discuss the opera and the dramatic turn of events in contract to the last opera, Carmen, that some of them were able to see two years ago at the Maryland Theatre.
The education portion of the GLAF mission is important and vital to the future of arts in our community and GLAF is partially funded by grants from the Garrett County Arts Council, The Maryland State Arts Council and Mountain Maryland Gateway to the West Heritage Area.
