Door County, Wis. (July 2, 2025) — The Peninsula Music Festival (PMF) proudly features the exceptional talents of its Karen Smuda Emerging Conductor Scholarship recipients, Stefano Boccacci (he/him) and Ezra Calvino (they/them), in two distinct and captivating concerts this August. These rising stars will lead the orchestra in a celebration of classical masterworks and a thrilling tribute to cinematic heroes.
“Stefano and Ezra are incredibly gifted young artists,” says Maestro Rune Bergmann, PMF’s Artistic Director. “Their passion for music is contagious, and I’m excited for our audience to witness their unique voices and musical insight firsthand. This is the future of classical music, and it’s inspiring to see.”
The first of their concerts, Startles & Sonatas, takes place on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, and dives into the timeless brilliance of the Classical and early Romantic eras. The program features Haydn’s witty Overture in D and his ever-surprising Symphony No. 94, “Surprise,” alongside Schubert’s lyrical Overture to Rosamunde and his spirited Symphony No. 5. Each piece offers a vibrant glimpse into the classical tradition, elevated by Boccacci and Calvino’s fresh interpretive voices.
Their second performance, A Night at the Movies: Heroes, follows on Thursday, August 14, and celebrates iconic film music and the heroes who inspire us. Highlights include:
- “Raiders March” from Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
- “Caribou,” a cinematic work by emerging composer Jeremy Chase, inspired by Our Planet
- Selections by John Williams, including:
- “Viktor’s Tale” from The Terminal
- “With Malice Toward None” from Lincoln
- Theme from Schindler’s List — featuring PMF Concertmaster Dennis Kim
- Theme from Jaws
- Suite from Star Wars to close the evening
These special concerts underscore the Peninsula Music Festival’s deep commitment to mentoring the next generation of artistic leadership. Selected by Maestro Bergmann during a guest conducting visit to Yale University—where both conductors are fellows in Yale’s prestigious conducting fellowship program under Faculty Conductor Peter Oundjian—Calvino is spending the full 2025 season immersed in rehearsals, mentorship, and hands-on experience, and Boccacci graduated the program in May. As recipients of the Karen Smuda Emerging Conductor Scholarship, they are mentored by Maestro Bergmann, attend every rehearsal and performance, and are invited to conduct these two featured programs. During their time with PMF, they will also gain exposure to front-of-house operations under the guidance of PMF Executive Director Lisa Harper.
“We believe in nurturing young talent not just for the sake of tradition, but because it’s how the future of music stays alive,” says Harper. “Stefano and Ezra bring fresh perspective, deep sensitivity, and a thrilling sense of purpose to the podium. This is an opportunity to see two rising stars at the very beginning of their brilliant careers.”
These concerts are part of PMF’s 73rd season, which runs August 5–23, 2025, and features an extraordinary lineup of internationally renowned soloists, including pianists Fei-Fei Dong and Avery Gagliano, cellists Luka Coetzee and Sterling Elliott, percussion legend Dame Evelyn Glennie, soprano Jacquelyn Wagner, and the Apollo Chorus of Chicago.
TICKETS & INFORMATION
The performances take place at Door Community Auditorium in Fish Creek as part of the nine-concert Peninsula Music Festival, happening August 5–23, 2025. Tickets are available now at www.musicfestival.com or by calling the PMF Box Office at (920) 854-4060.
ABOUT PENINSULA MUSIC FESTIVAL
Now in its 73rd season, the Peninsula Music Festival is dedicated to bringing exceptional classical music performances to the Door County community. The festival continues to attract world-class musicians and enthusiastic audiences from around the region and beyond.
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