Summer music festivals, those great opportunities to experience favorite sounds and hear new potential favorites in relaxed settings and frequently outdoors, were an early casualty of the COVID pandemic. In 2020 performances were few and almost entirely virtual. 2021, however, is a year of resurrection and rebirth for these events that are an essential part of the art music world’s chemistry.
This is a two-part preview of regional programs: the Flathead Valley’s Festival Amadeus, and, along the Clark Fork River, the Montana Baroque Music Festival. We begin

with Festival Amadeus, planned and led by its founding artistic director, John Zoltek. Performances begin Tuesday, August 3rd and continue through Sunday the 8th and are offered at venues in Whitefish, Kallispel, and Bigfork. Participating musicians, this year including featured soloists, are from the Glacier Symphony Orchestra, joined by guest players from around the region.