NAPA VALLEY – THE INAGURATION OF FESTIVAL DEL SOLE

A CLASSICAL MUSICAL EXTRAVAGANZA
Part I, Sunday - Thursday

by Jeanne Lawrence

The inaugural Festival del Sole, “Celebrating the Art of Life,” brought eight glorious days of classical music to the Napa Valley including the Russian National Orchestra (RNO) and a dazzling roster of world famous guest artists!

The first-ever Festival del Sole in Napa Valley. Festival Del Sole Founder Barrett Wissman and wife Nina Kotova, Festival Artistic Director.

The Festival is the brainchild of IMG Artists CEO and hedge fund manager Barrett Wissman and entertainment attorney and Russian Arts Foundation president Richard Walker. Barrett’s Russian-born wife, cellist and composer Nina Kotova, serves as Festival del Sole’s Artistic Director.

Napa Valley seemed the obvious choice to build an international cultural event and, amazingly, they organized the Festival in only eight months! Countless festivities revolved around the visual, culinary, and naturally, viticultural arts. This is the wine country, after all.

Heavy-hitter benefactors who endorsed their vision early on include Gordon Getty, Peter T. Paul, Athena and Timothy Blackburn, Gerret and Tatiana Copeland, Gary Fuhrman and Maria Manetti Farrow “who not only gave us financial help, but spread the word … the Gospel of Maria,” according to Wissman.

The Week Begins

Having just landed in San Francisco, I was whisked away by my friend Maria Manetti Farrow, a Napa Valley weekend resident, who insisted I attend the Festival.  “The level of artists is incredible … never has Napa Valley seen such a conglomerate of talent,” she explained. 

Sunday, the Festival commenced with performances by mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter and violinist Joshua Bell, with the Russian National Orchestra led by conductor Alan Gilbert. Afterwards, we had our first taste of the marvelous banquets to come at a dinner hosted by Kathryn and Craig Hall, featuring the cuisine of Food Network alum, Ming Tsai, winner of the 2002 James Beard Award for best chef in the Northeast.

Monday, benefactor Peter T. Paul hosted a tasting luncheon at Thomas Keller’s famed French Laundry in Yountville (sister restaurant of New York City’s extravagant Per Se in the Time Warner Center). Then there was an evening performance by pianist Christopher Taylor. At the post-concert reception, held at Darioush Khaledi’s Persian-themed winery, guests raved about Christopher’s artistry.

Tuesday was a day and night of gastronomic delight, starting with a Vintner’s luncheon hosted by Terzo Restaurant and featuring Michael Polenske’s Blackbird Vineyards Merlot. That evening, Tatiana and Gerret Copeland of Delaware (he is a DuPont), long-time RNO patrons and owners of Bouchaine Winery in Napa’s Carneros District, hosted a lavish Imperial Russian dinner.

Tatiana and Gerret Copeland, proprietors of Bouchaine Vineyards hosted Russian Imperial Dinner.

Tatiana, who is of Russian heritage herself, had the unique idea — perhaps as a nod to her great-uncle, the legendary composer and pianist, Sergei Rachmaninoff. Festival insider John Traina got up from the opulently appointed, 60-guest table stating that this was the most spectacular dinner ever in the Napa Valley.

Wednesday evening, we were treated to a wine tasting and gourmet pre-concert dinner in the Klenz Redwood Grove of the Beringer Winery. Golden sunflowers graced the tables that were laden with the cuisine of not one, but three celebrity chefs: petite blonde Cat Cora (Food Network’s first female Iron Chef); Silvia Baracchi, owner of Italy’s four century old restaurant, Il Falconiere, who was accompanied by her husband Riccardo Barrachi; and Beringer’s own Executive Chef, David Frakes.

After expressing our gratitude, we dashed to Yountville’s Lincoln Theater, the recently renovated 1,200-seat hall that was the site of all the Festival’s symphonic performances. Executive Director Michael Savage, previously with the San Francisco and Napa Valley Opera Houses, graciously greeted us.    

This evening’s concert was led by RNO Associate Conductor Carlo Ponti Jr., talented son of Carlo Ponti Sr. (the Italian film producer of classics like Doctor Zhivago, Federico Fellini’s La Strada and Antonioni’s iconic Blowup) and Sophia Loren. By the way, Carlo Jr. is also Music Director and Principal Conductor of the San Bernardino Symphony in California.

Renowned bass Samuel Ramey and mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade performed a varied selection from Berlioz to Offenbach, with a little Rodgers and Hammerstein and Tchaikovsky, for added variety.

At midnight in her Tuscan-style kitchen, Maria Manetti Farrow served a casual supper, knowing that artists rarely eat pre-performance.

Relishing the moment, Carlo called his mother, Sophia Loren, in Genève, Switzerland, insisting that Ramey “talk to my mother.” Ramey obliged with his melodic baritone to which Loren exclaimed, “I love your voice … I could swoon at your feet!” His blushing response, “I’ve been in love with you, too, for the last 40 years.” Fun-loving Carlo added, “At 72 years old, my mom is still hot. I love being her son!”

Thursday, I joined the VIP luncheon at Oakville’s Far Niente Winery in the garden of the 1885 estate. Partners Beth Nickel and Larry Maguire guided the guests through the famous cellars and explained they produce only one Chardonnay and one Cabernet Sauvignon, “blended to perfection and striving to be the best.”

At the end of the meal, they poured a 2002 Dolce Far Niente, a sweet late harvest wine from their own Dolce Vineyards. Described as “liquid gold”, it’s been compared favorably to the famed Château d’Yquem. “You don’t want to brush your teeth after drinking this wine,” commented Festival co-founder Rick Walker.

Then it was off to another wine tasting at Quintessa Wine Estate, founded in 1989 by Valeria and Agustin Huneeus. Situated in the Rutherford appellation on the Silverado Trail, the contemporary winery, built with local tufa stone, has won many design awards. And no wonder! Its simple, graceful crescent-shape design blends into the hillside, enhancing the natural beauty of the valley.

With no time to rest, the nest stop was the recently renovated 500-seat theater, 1880 Napa Valley Opera House, in historic downtown. This evening, six-time Grammy Award winners, NY’s Emerson String Quartet, performed.

Founded in 1976, the Quartet includes violinists Eugene Drucker and Philip Setzer, viola Lawrence Dutton and cellist David Finckel. The surprise guest, National Public Radio’s (NPR) host Fred Child, led an informative chat on stage with the musicians.

Afterwards, Bill Frazier hosted the post-performance dinner at his hilltop Frazier Winery, a magical display of seemingly thousands of candles and roses and, of course, wine galore.

NAPA VALLEY – THE INAGURATION OF FESTIVAL DEL SOLE

A CLASSICAL MUSICAL EXTRAVAGANZA
Part II – Weekend Finale

The whirlwind week of the first annual Festival Del Sole in Napa Valley came to a crescendo with three final days of divine indulgence. It was touted as eight glorious days of food, wine and classical music in the Napa Valley – with the Russian National Orchestra (RNO) and a dazzling roster of world famous guest artists.

Grand Finale

Friday, Florence-born Maria Manetti Farrow hosted a luncheon for 24 artists and patrons at her Oakville Estate, Villa Mille Rose, whose grounds and vineyards are filled with thousands of roses, hence the name. 

Her villa was festooned with masses of blue hydrangeas and sunflowers from her estate. Maria served homegrown fruits, vegetables, and her private label wine and olive oil.  “I’ve tried to create my former lifestyle here in Napa,” she exclaimed.

In the evening French conductor Stéphane Denève, the Music Director of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra in Glasgow, conducted the Russian National Orchestra. Garnering much attention these days with his exuberant conducting style, he’s very thrilling to watch.

Polish-born pianist Piotr Anderszewski, one of today’s most exciting young artists, chose to play Ravel and Polish composer Karol Szymanowski. “He knows his fellow countryman’s work better than anyone,” whispered my seat partner.

Just when you think it can’t get any better than this, handsome violinist Nikolaj Znaider performed Sibelius and more Ravel. This night also marked National Public Radio’s first-ever live webcast of a classical concert. 

Greg Martin, of auction house fame, explained to his wife Petra and teenage daughter Greta, “You know I’m a classical music lover and this festival is world class!”

After the concert, guests enjoyed cocktails and an exquisite six-course dinner at Peju Province Winery, prepared by chef Max Duley.

Saturday morning, the ‘foodies’ all headed to the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in St. Helena, sister of CIA in New York at Hyde Park. Renamed Greystone, it was formerly the 1888 Christian Brothers Winery, once the largest stone winery in the world with its 22-inch thick walls. 

Handsome celebrity chef Michael Chiarello, host of Food Network’s Easy Entertaining, and founder of Tra Vigne restaurant, demonstrated his expertise in Italian cuisine. 

Guests sampled their way through the various food stations with a vast array of delicacies. Oh, and did I mention wine? This event featured outstanding selections from the Boutique Wine Producers of Napa Valley.

Everyone wondered who was conducting the evening’s performance at Yountville’s Lincoln Theater. Fred Child, National Public Radio, broadcasting to 230 stations, explained that pianist Piotr Anderszewski would conduct the Russian National Orchestra (RNO) from his bench at the Steinway. “This is what Mozart would have done in his day.”  

Piotr played Dvorak and Mozart while the audience marveled at his amazing technique, applauding wildly. “This is magic,” commented vintner Clark Swanson (of the Swanson Foods family), owner of Swanson Vineyards.

After intermission, the glamorous violinist Sarah Chang, in an entrance-making Schiaparelli-pink form fitting, designer gown, dazzled the audience with her interpretation of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, accompanied by the harpsichord.

She too conducted the orchestra, communicating seductively with her eyes. Charming the audience comes easily to her because she has performed professionally since she was five years old.

Gordon Getty gushed afterwards, “Sublime … Sublime … I have a lot of respect for that guy,” referring to Festival co-founder Barrett Wissman.

The guests at the post-concert dinner, hosted by Oakville’s Jeff and Valerie Gargiulo, dined under a gigantic oak tree and in the romantic glow of oriental lanterns, overlooking the Gargiulo Vineyards. “The lanterns were installed for our daughter’s wedding and we liked them so much we left them up,” Jeff confessed.

Sunday night, sadly, was the Festival del Sole’s grand finale. For the second time, Frenchman Stéphane Denève conducted the RNO at the Lincoln Theater. All week long, the audience had anticipated the performance of Russian-born cellist Nina Kotova, the Artistic Director of the Festival. 

Beautiful and elegantly dressed in a one-shoulder red Armani, Nina played her Stradivarius cello, a generous gift from her husband Barrett Wissman, and once owned by the late renowned cellist Jacqueline du Pré.

All eyes were fixed on Nina as she effortlessly performed Dvorak’s Cello Concerto in B minor ... and she captured the crowd.

Soprano Renée Fleming had been scheduled to appear as well, but after a whirlwind Asian tour, she took ill and regretfully cancelled.

Springing into action, the Festival’s management convinced soprano Christine Brewer, who was performing in upstate New York, to perform. Of course, it helped that XOJET, Inc.,courtesy of its CEO Paul Touw, dispatched a Cessna Citation X to whisk her overnight to Napa.  It was Festival advisory board member Michael Polenske whosaved the day by calling on his friend Paul to help.

Brewer was also a timely choice, as she recently finished recording the evening’s repertoire, Richard Strauss’s Four Last Songs.

The Festival’s farewell dinner took place appropriately at Robert Mondavi Winery, hosted by the legendary Robert and Margrit Biever Mondavi, who have blended philanthropy, art, music, food, and wine for years.

Barrett Wissman thanked the many involved: the board and management of Lincoln Theater; a host of Napa wineries and resort properties; organizational partners COPIA(venue for, among many other things, the Festival’s exciting Young Artists series), the Napa Valley Opera House, the Napa Valley Museum and the CIA at Greystone; Charles Letourneau, Director of Special Projects at IMG Artists, and his staff for their “flawless execution”; Festival  co-director Richard Walker; Martha Bredon of the Russian Art Foundation; Sarah Scott, who coordinated the Festival’s food events; Neil and Karen Aldoroty of St. Helena’s 55 Degrees and Sergei Markov, President of the Russian National Orchestra, among the many others who worked hard to make the Festival a success.

What made this Festival special was the warmth and hospitality of the Napa Valley. Its multiple venues and focus on food and wine created an intimacy with the artists who mingled at events with the attendees.

“It’s like a reunion for us … we are always traveling … here we have the time to talk with other artists,” added Piotr Anderszewski.

At the end of the evening, Tatiana Copeland spoke, “I’m a Russian … you’ll never stop us from talking … it’s been an exceptional week … it feels like I’m saying goodbye to my family.”

To which Margrit Mondavi added, “Art is art … art is also in the wine … wonderful bringing it together … music is emotional … we have been touched down to our souls.  Thank you … I can’t wait until next year.”

The magic of the week was over, but not soon be forgotten!