Vermont Mozart Festival (VMF) announces the appointment of a new Artistic Director, Gil Shohat, who will succeed VMF founder and Artistic Director Melvin Kaplan in 2011.

Described by Forbes magazine as "the most important and influential personality in classical music in Israel," Shohat is the composer of nine large-scale symphonies, 10 concertos for various instruments, three operas, various oratorios, cantatas, solo vocal pieces, and dozens of chamber and piano pieces. He performs more than 80 concerts a year worldwide as a conductor and pianist and has been performing with the VMF since 2007.

The VMF was founded in 1974 by Kaplan and it has expanded from a 10-concert series focusing solely on Mozart to a 19-concert festival experience highlighting the pantheon of classical composers and bringing in international-caliber artists from around the globe.

"The Vermont Mozart Festival creates a very special feeling that I think differs from Marlboro or Tanglewood or Tokyo or other festivals where I have performed," said Shohat. "There is a greater sense of community-of a warm and human connection between the audience and the musicians. The open air creates an atmosphere that is very close, very united, and very family-like. I just love it."

Over his four years performing as a guest conductor and soloist with the VMF, Shohat also became impressed by the commitment of the musicians to the organization. "The same musicians come to perform every summer, not only from Vermont but from all over the United States, really giving 180 percent of themselves in these concerts. This is very much present in rehearsals. It is a great experience. I'm not usually that full of compliments, but the festival deserves it."

Summer 2011 program
Next summer's schedule, to be held from July 17-August 7 is already being planned. Shohat has tentatively titled the program "Beethoven's Revolution." Next year the VMF will expand to 22 concerts in as many days.

Shohat's program will present the entire selection of Beethoven's string quartets, to be performed by six world-renowned ensembles. The season will showcase several additional selections from Beethoven, as well as works by Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Brahms, Gershwin, and, of course, Mozart. It will also include several works the VMF has never previously performed. Possible guest appearances for the season include acclaimed artists David Garret, Rachel Barton Pine, Alain Lefèvre, Bracha Kol, and Dorel Golan.

Remaining schedule
Friday, July 30, 7:30 p.m., Entremont on the Rocks, Barre Opera House, Barre
Saturday, July 31, 7 p.m., The Four Seasons, The Inn at Shelburne Farms, Shelburne
Sunday, Aug. 1, 11 a.m., Family Series: Steve Wilson, Vermont Teddy Bear Factory, Shelburne
Sunday, Aug. 1 7 p.m., Fresh Air, Trapp Family Lodge, Stowe
Tuesday, Aug. 3, 7:30 p.m., Chopin's Preludes, Vergennes Opera House, Vergennes
Wednesday, Aug. 4, 7:30 p.m., Mozart in the Manger, Schubert in the Stall, West Monitor Barn, Richmond
Friday, Aug. 6, 8 p.m., Coachyard Fantaisie, The Coach Barn at Shelburne Farms, Shelburne
Saturday, Aug. 7, 7 p.m., Grand Finale, The Inn at Shelburne Farms, Shelburne
Sunday, Aug. 8, 11 a.m., Family Series: Alice in Wonderland, Vermont Teddy Bear Factory, Shelburne
Sunday, Aug. 8, 7 p.m., Royal Encore, Trapp Family Lodge, Stowe