History

In 1987 the Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival was created by John Giovando, an attorney with a love of classical music, and acclaimed violinist, Ida Kavafian, who together had already established a successful chamber music festival in New Mexico.  They brought musicians from Music from Angel Fire to present chamber music concerts in the Vail Valley. These performances started small--at one of the first concerts the musicians actually outnumbered the audience! Eugenia Zukerman, renowned flutist, author and television commentator joined the Festival as Artistic Director in 1998, and has since guided the artistic growth of the Festival.  Through world-class performances, dedicated leadership and generous support from the community, the Festival has grown from a handful of attendees to an annual audience of more than 60,000. More than 50 acclaimed soloists visit the Vail Valley to perform in chamber ensembles and as soloists with resident orchestras.

The Bravo! Festival runs from late June through early August, presenting the highest level of music making in spectacular Vail Valley venues. During these brief summer months, the Festival touches the lives of thousands of people, many of who come to the area specifically to experience the pleasures of the Festival and the beauty of the majestic Rocky Mountains.

As the Festival embarks on its 23rd year it looks forward to bringing the most ambitious season yet. The Festival is unparalleled in musicianship and the highest quality programing. The 2010 season will feature three world class orchestras--the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, The Philadelphia Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic, along with chamber music, jazz and pops. Cellist Yo-Yo Ma and Pianist Kathryn Stott open up this summer's Festival with a 75-minute recital on June 25, 2010.