The Harriman-Jewell Series strives to make classical music as accessible to as many people as possible. Its Discovery Concerts even remove the barrier of a ticket price. On its 2018–2019 season, the Harriman-Jewell Series is bringing three exceptionally talented artists for Kansas City to discover and enjoy for free.
Soprano Alyson Cambridge will begin the season with a recital in September. Nathan Lee, still a teenager but already a fearless piano virtuoso, will give a recital in October. And violinist Bella Hristova is coming to Helzberg Hall in November to help Kansas City’s Youth Symphony celebrate its 60th anniversary with a collaborative concert.
Clark Morris, executive and artistic director of the Harriman-Jewell Series, says he finds Discovery artists in a variety of ways.
“We started partnering with Young Concert Artists a few years ago,” Morris said. “It’s an organization in New York whose mission is specifically to find young, highly talented artists and help them develop their early careers. We go to their International Competition finals in New York and the Harriman-Jewell Series gives a prize to one of the winners at that concert. It’s a network that helps us hone in on some of the world’s finest emerging artists.”
Two of the musicians on next season’s Discovery Concerts are from the Young Concert Artists roster. One of those is Bella Hristova.
“We’ve been aware of her and she’s someone I’ve admired,” Morris said. With Bella, we’re doing something very special, a collaboration with the Youth Symphony of Kansas City at Helzberg Hall. She’ll do some solo work on the first half of the concert, and on the second half, she’ll be the featured soloist with the Symphony Orchestra celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.”
Pianist Nathan Lee is also a Young Concert Artists prize winner. But soprano Alyson Cambridge comes from a different young artist’s development program.
“She won the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and then was placed in the Lindemann Young Artist Development Program,” Morris said. “Those are also artists we pay attention to. The Met is such a great organization they have the power to attract the finest young artists. Alyson has already had quite a bit of success. In fact, she may be further along in her career than the typical Discovery artist. She’s done eight roles at the Metropolitan Opera and has also had success in theater and jazz.”
In addition to the Discovery Concert, Cambridge will give a special performance as part of the Harriman-Jewell Series’ Prelude 2018, a gala benefit that directly supports free concerts and more.
The Series has presented 46 Discovery Concerts since 2004. These free events are a boon to the community, but since they don’t generate income, Morris says that the Harriman-Jewell Series relies on the help of those who share its vision of making classical music available to all.
“The only way that we’re able to do this is through the great generosity of donors in Kansas City who understand the value of exposing these artists to new audiences. We’re just so fortunate to live in a city that cares about the arts and believes in the value of these artistic experiences.”
For tickets and more information, call 816.415.5025 or visit www.hjseries.org.
–Patrick Neas
