Big Top Door County Was A One-Of-A-Kind Event

Vocalist Cynthia Stiehl performs a piece by Aaron Copland at the Midsummer’s Music Big Top Door County event on July 12. Photo courtesy of Midsummer’s Music.

To celebrate 25 glorious years, Wisconsin’s premiere chamber music ensemble Midsummer’s Music hosted a special concert event titled Big Top Door County. For the first time ever, the ensemble performed outdoors under a Big Top tent. To make it extra special, the ensemble invited guest performers from several other Door County arts groups to present a delightful showcase of the best that Door County has to offer. The event took place on July 12 at 2 pm at Berkenfeld, a 51-acre estate between Baileys Harbor and Ephraim.

The concert featured favorites by Mozart and Mendelssohn. Local performers Doc Heide and Holly Feldman of Northern Sky Theater enchanted the audience with a number of Heide originals. Mezzo-soprano Cyndy Stiehl performed several enchanting works by Aaron Copland. One of the afternoon highlights was a haunted ghost ship composition called “Lucy and the Count” featuring the narration of one of Door County’s favorite actors Alan Kopischke. Following the concert, eight Great Musical Chairs, unique, specially painted chairs by famous Door County artists Margaret Lockwood, Gretchen Klug, Sandra Martinez, Sue Hegenbarth, Bonnie Hartmann, Bethany Kirwen, Donna Brown, and Liz Maltman were auctioned off to some lucky bidders.

“For our 25th anniversary, we wanted to do something really special,” said Midsummer’s Music Festival founder James Berkenstock. “By inviting popular local artists to join the Midsummer’s Music ensemble, we created a one-of-a-kind event with the best of the best of Door County talent – all under one tent,” he added. “It was a thrilling afternoon.”

For more information, visit midsummersmusic.com or call 920.854.7088.