Interpretation of Debussy’s Work to Leave Impression – The Blue Sage Center Classical Series Presents: Susan Ellinger, Pianist

Susan Ellinger at the Sage piano in 2013

Interpretation of Debussy’s Work to Leave Impression

 The Blue Sage Center Classical Series Presents: Susan Ellinger, Pianist

The Blue Sage Center for the Arts’ Classical Music Series presents pianist, Susan Ellinger performing Claude Debussy’s Preludes, Book One in an original theatre production directed by local visual artist, Alyssa Pinkerton. The program includes original dance choreography, puppetry, costumes, and poetry in an imaginative interpretation of Debussy’s work. Performances will be held at the Blue Sage’s Curtis Hall, located at 226-228 Grand Ave., Paonia on Friday, March 20 and Saturday, March 21 at 7:30pm and Sunday, March 22 at 2:00pm. Tickets range from $10-$20 and can be purchased through the Blue Sage Gallery by calling (970) 527-7243, in person at 226 Grand Ave., Paonia, or online at www.bluesage.org.  All seating is reserved.

The featured work is a collection of twelve shorter works based on classical and French symbolist themes. While many consider Debussy a musical impressionist, since his works share an atmosphere with painting by artists such as Monet, Debussy didn’t like the designation arguing that, “music can represent all the variations of color and light in one go,” whereas painting was limited to capturing just one moment. With this performance Ellinger and Pinkerton unite the strengths of movement, music and light to expand the expressiveness of Debussy’s work. Joining the musician and director in the production are performers Brooke Warren, Peter Mueller, Dawn Reeder, Frederick Zimmer, Otis Adams and Lulu Adams, lighting designer Brian Cambria and videographer, Adam Smith.

Ellinger feels that Debussy’s preludes are the perfect backdrop to convey the rich tapestry of artistic disciplines that thrived at the beginning of the industrial revolution in France and is excited to work with such a strong director and cast from the local community. “There will definitely be some surprises with this performance. The overall production direction that Alyssa has taken really informs the music and the audience should expect a very rich experience with both the music and theatrical interpretation she brings to the work.”

In addition to the three public performances, a grant from the Western Colorado Community Foundation is enabling the Blue Sage to offer a Friday afternoon performance at no cost to the 2^nd-6^th graders of Paonia, Hotchkiss and Crawford. “Art is exceptional in its ability to inform us about the world around us,” says Blue Sage Executive Director, Annette Pretorius. “Because of the beauty of this production, and the many art disciplines involved, this performance is a unique opportunity to create an emotional connection for students to the Impressionist Era and to meet professional artists in their community. We are grateful to the Western Colorado Community Foundation for providing North Fork Valley youth this unique experience.”

These performances are the 4th event in the Blue Sage’s 2014-2015 Classical Music Series.  Each concert in the season’s line up is themed around a country and features a composer from that region.  In addition to the 3 performances, a pre-concert cocktail hour will present a food and wine pairing from the evening’s featured region, France, prior to the Saturday evening performance.  Food is catered by Backcountry Bistro and the wine is paired by Ashley Trego.  Any concert-goer over 21 can attend the cocktail hour for an additional $15.  Reservations must be made in advance.

The Blue Sage Center for the Arts is a charitable 501(c)(3) organization located in Paonia, CO providing education and expression in the arts and humanities in order to engage and enrich the North Fork community. Founded in 1996 the Blue Sage serves about 10,000 residents of the North Fork Valley annually through classes, events, gallery exhibits, venue rentals and arts outreach into local schools.