Italy is on my mind.

My wife Ann and I were blessed to be able to travel to Italy this summer. Hiking in the incredible Dolomites, followed by time in the Puglia region and Rome… a dream trip, absolutely.

It was interesting to think about how enlightened US policy has helped create modern Italy, which was devastated after World War II. You have to be there to understand the weight of their history, and to appreciate what a novel experiment our country is. We have our problems, but I always feel tremendous gratitude for the privilege of living in this country upon returning.

And now, as the Italians say, Lascia suonare la musica (let the music play)!

After a summer filled with family reunions and much-needed recharging of our batteries, we’re thrilled to be back with a new season of concerts!

Our commitment to community is a primary value for our organization, ramped up this year with discounted tickets for Arts for All patrons and members of the military and first responders, as well as rush tix for students. We’re also working with arts activist Crystal Meneses to partner with social service organizations in our community.

“Music in the soul can be heard by the universe, especially when it echoes through a garden”
– Lao Tzu

This is how we roll, after all. When it comes to performing and playing together, absence absolutely makes the heart grow fonder, and we’re ready to hit the ground running this month, with four garden concerts that are the perfect way to spend late summer evenings.

September 3rd – Bolling on the River

• While this show is sold out, we hope that you’ll consider joining us for the next three garden concerts! Tickets are going fast for the remaining garden shows…

September 17th – Zach’s Melodic Meadow

• Zach Galatis returns with a voice that makes the flowers bloom;) He’ll be joined by pianist Maria Garcia for this wonderful program of Broadway classics, performed in the beautiful garden of Eve and David Celsi.

September 24th – Harmonie

• Harmonie house bands were often employed in Mozart’s time by aristocratic families to provide music for their social gatherings and special events. Our virtuoso wind players bring that tradition to life for this program of wind sextets! Our friends Tony and Julie Furnary are hosting this show in their beautiful garden, a perfect place for picnicking!

October 1st – Musical Tasting Menu

• You get to choose the program from a menu of musical delicacies! Our hosts for this fun program are Kevin and Beth Cavanaugh, in the courtyard of the building designed by Kevin’s award-winning firm, Guerrilla Development.

“Chamber music is the music of friends. It’s a conversation between musicians”
– Antonin Dvorák

Our season continues indoors at the beautiful Old Church at the Madeleine in NE Portland, with monthly concerts that will engage, inspire, and enlighten. Highlights from our Madeleine series include:

October 13th – Out of the Dark

• We kick off the indoor season with high energy music by Osvaldo Golijov and Eleanor Alberga, plus American composer Kenneth Fuchs’ tribute to painter Helen Frankenthaler.

December 19th – Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite

• The North Pole Cello Sextet always brings holiday cheer to our stage, this time performing Duke Ellington’s jazzy arrangement of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite.

“Art is realm of thought experiments that quicken, sharpen and sweeten our being in this world”
– Wendy Steiner

Challenging ourselves with ambitious projects is central to our mission, and this season continues that legacy with special shows at The Reser Center and Straub Collaborative:

January 26th – Listen to This: An Evening with Alex Ross and 45^th Parallel

• Acclaimed author and music writer Alex Ross joins the virtuosos of 45th Parallel for an evening of words and music, a unique concert experience that will entertain, edify, enlighten, and exhilarate! This concert is a co-production with the Reser Center.

April 12th – Lost in Deep Time

• Pyxis Quartet and pianist Yoko Greeney perform Prospects of a Misplaced Year by Andy Akiho, accompanied by artist Brad Johnson’s visionary artwork, a stunning exploration of geologic time told in music and immersive projection.

Ticket sales have already been brisk for these shows, so get ‘em while you can!

Our mission is to create innovative concert experiences unlike anything you’ll hear anywhere else. We hope that you’ll join us for this musical conversation!

Ron Blessinger
Violinist & Executive Director, 45^th Parallel Universe