Music for Montauk Welcomes Spring

On Saturday, June 3, starting at 4 p.m. Music for Montauk presents “Spring Concert: Songs and Romances.”

The free concert will be held at the Montauk Public School auditorium, where Music for Montauk will present a whimsical mix of chamber music, songs and new works featuring award-winning vocalists Sarah Fleiss and Joseph Tancredi, along with cellist Ani Kalayjian, and pianist and artistic director Miloš Repicky. The concert features work by Barbara Strozzi, Philip Glass, Mary Kouyoumdjian, Giacomo Puccini, Benjamin Britten, and other talented artists. The “Songs and Romances” theme of the concert alludes to the lyricism and implied love story of the musical selections.

“For this program, we weave together music that is at once old and new, touching and humorous, familiar and unexpected. The subject is lovers and the medium is melody,” said Repicky, who has developed a diverse musical presence as pianist, conductor, chamber musician, educator, and producer.

He serves on the music staff of the Metropolitan Opera as assistant conductor and prompter, played harpsichord continuo for “Le nozze di Figaro, “and has led the musical preparation of “Jenufa,” “La fanciulla del West,” “Anna Bolena,” “The Death of Klinghoffer” and “Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk,” among many other operas.

American soprano Sarah Fleiss recently went on tour with Eric Owens and sang the world-premiere of Tania Léon’s “In the Fields.” She also performed in recital with Warren Jones and looks forward to singing the “Pergolesi Stabat Mater.” She won the 2023 Hal Leonard Art Song competition, has received awards from the George London and Gerda Lissner Foundations, and is supported by the Jack Wolgin Fellowship and the Shirley Winston Rabb Scholarship.

Joseph Tancredi has garnered ample recognition in the competition circuit and this past season was named a National Semifinalist in the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition. He also received recent acclaim for his last-minute appearance as the tenor soloist in Opera Philadelphia’s production of “Carmina Burana,” stepping in for a sick vocalist.

Ani Kalayjian’s career as a soloist, recitalist, chamber musician, educator, and musical ambassador has taken her to Japan, Australia, Canada, the Middle East, and throughout Europe and the U.S. Kalayjian’s recent engagements have included tours with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra around the U.S. at Ordway Hall in St. Paul, Dartmouth University, the 92nd St. Y in New York City, and in Rome, Bologna, Siena, Berlin and Vienna. During her time in Lebanon, she gave outreach performances to underserved communities at St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Insan School for Iraqi and Syrian refugee children, and in the Syrian refugee camps.

Music for Montauk’s fresh and dynamic approach to classical music presents an evening to celebrate spring and bring the community together. “The Spring Concert: Songs and Romances” will be paired with a performance of the Montauk Public School students. Admission is free. Montauk Public School is at 50 South Dorset Drive, Montauk.

A post-performance benefit reception will be held at Gosman’s Restaurant, 500 West Lake Drive, Montauk, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. where guests can meet the artists and enjoy one of Montauk’s best sunsets, with light fare and drinks. Tickets to the reception are $35 in advance at musicformontauk.org or $40 at the door.

Music for Montauk’s 2023 season will continue with the “Summer Series” from August 5 to 11 at several of Montauk’s iconic venues, and a “Holiday Concert” in December.