Fest Hits High Notes, Looks Ahead to Mozart

Premieres, diversity, and high artistic achievement marked the 36th Oregon Bach Festival, which concluded Sunday in Eugene. But as the ovations subsided for "The Creation," the rousing final concert, officials of the University of Oregon event were already plotting a course for addressing a decline in ticket sales.

Artistically, the Festival reached as high a level as ever, said Helmuth Rilling, artistic director. "From the beginning to the finish, we have done wonderful things this year," he said. "We had great soloists, the orchestra and chorus had very challenging music, which they performed well, and the atmosphere was one of collaboration."

Among the highlights were the Northwest U.S. Premiere of La Pasión Según San Marcos by Osvaldo Golijov, which reached a new mix of younger and ethnic audiences; the American premiere of Mendelssohn's lost opera, The Uncle From Boston, which was met with an instant standing ovation and audience acclaim; and crowd-pleasing concerts from the Schola Cantorum of Caracas, Imani Winds, and conductor John Nelson, in his Festival debut leading Handel's Baroque masterpiece L'Allegro.

As throughout its history, the Festival attracted music lovers from across the world, including 35 states and six countries. But the total audience of 27,000 and a gross of $350,000 was a disappointment to Royce Saltzman, executive director. Saltzman said sales were 6% lower than 2004, and 20% below the Festival's optimistic projections.

"This is of great concern," said Saltzman, "but it is reflective of what is happening with classical music organizations around the country and the world."

Saltzman declined to pinpoint any one factor, but said the Festival is conducting research among its own audiences and among national organizations to find solutions for the decline.

Among the bright spots at the gate was the addition of new ticket-buying households, which made up a third of the audience. Saltzman attributed the newcomers to the diversity of concerts. "We took audiences on a journey from Latin America to Bach to jazz to new music to the Creation," he said, "and by the response in the halls, they were thrilled with the ride."

At its annual Patron Celebration the Festival announced new pledges, raising its endowment and long-term operational funding to $2.1 million. In 2005 the organization also reached its all-time high in corporate sponsorship, 30% above its previous level.

"Clearly, there's support for what we do," Saltzman said. "There are always ups and downs. But with that kind of support from businesses, individuals, and the University of Oregon, we will continue to attract and present world class musicians and artistic programs."

The 2006 Festival takes place June 30-July 16 in Eugene, with Rilling to return for his 37th season in a celebration of Mozart's 250th birthday.