When Baritone Robert Merrill’s performed at the dedication of the new Gustavus recital hall in 1971, the hall named after his friend and colleague Tenor Jussi Björling, a tradition of bringing world-class artists and performers to the Gustavus Adolphus College campus took root. Since Merrill’s performance in the fall of 1971, nearly 200 actors, dance companies, artists, musicians and ensembles have presented more than 250 performances and exhibitions in music, dance, theatre and art and have contributed to the Gustavus Artist Series’ reputation as the leading performance series in southern Minnesota. The College is pleased to announce the 2013-14 season with hopes to continue that tradition of excellence. The new season opens with an art exhibition in Schaefer Gallery by American artist Emily Sheehan and includes performances by the Rose Ensemble, the Bach Society of Minnesota, the Aeolus String Quartet, Michael Johnson, ‘cellist Su-a Lee and classical guitarist Robert Gruca.
For over forty years, the impressive history of the Gustavus Artist Series includes artists spanning a wide spectrum from the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and the Tokyo String Quartet to the Count Basie Orchestra and Ladysmith Black Mambazo; from the paintings of Martha Mayer Erlebacher and Robert Birmelin to the sculpture of Paul Granlund; from the James Sewell Ballet to the Danny Buraczeski Jazz Dance Company; from the Minnesota Opera and the Vienna Choir Boys to Wynton Marsalis and Gustavus’ own Grammy-award winning Kurt Elling. Thousands of Gustavus students and staff, along with music, theatre, dance and art enthusiasts from across southern Minnesota, have been treated to performances, clinics and master classes by internationally-acclaimed artists along with many of the finest new artists from across the region.
While the 2013-14 Gustavus Artist Series can not be described in one theme or concept, Americana will be a part of each project.
- New Works by American Artist Emily Sheehan, September 3 – October 13, Schaefer Art Gallery, reception and artist talk September 19 at 1:30 in the Gallery
- The Roots of Bluegrass, The Rose Ensemble in Concert, October 3 at 7:00 p.m., in Christ Chapel
- Classical Guitarist Robert Gruca, October 11 at 7:30 p.m. in Björling Recital Hall
- At Home Again, Michael Johnson in Concert, December 13 at 8:00 p.m. in Björling Recital Hall
- Bach & Jazz: The Bach Society of Minnesota with the jazz trio Framework, February 28 at 7:30 p.m. in Björling Recital Hall
- The Aeolus String Quartet in Concert, March 7 at 7:30 p.m. in Björling Recital Hall
- ‘Cellist Su-a Lee in Concert, April 13 at 7:30 p.m. in Björling Recital Hall
Admission to the Emily Sheehan Exhibition and the artist reception in Schaefer Gallery in the Schaefer Studio Art Building is free. Schaefer Gallery is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Tickets for the 2013-14 Gustavus Artist Series are available online at gustavustickets.com or by calling the Gustavus Ticket Center at 507-933-7590. Tickets not sold in advance for the events in Christ Chapel and Björling Recital Hall will be placed on sale at the door one hour prior to the performance.
Additional information regarding each artist in the Series is available by visiting the Series website: 2013-14 Gustavus Artist Series.
The performances and residencies by the Rose Ensemble and the Bach Society of Minnesota are made possible, in part, through the support of the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council and by a grant provided by the Minnesota State Arts Board, through an appropriation from the Minnesota State Legislature from the Minnesota arts and cultural heritage fund with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008. Michael Johnson returns to Gustavus with underwriting from anonymous donors.
Join us for another outstanding season of performance and visual arts sponsored by the Gustavus Artist Series.
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