Friday, December 14, 2012

Festival del Sole radiates fun, funds



Catherine Bigelow
Published 03:29 p.m., Tuesday, July 17, 2012 (LINK)
Festival del Sole's summer season raised the stakes and cultural stamina required for revelers, who savor 11 full days of live music and dance paired with meticulous meals from the masters of Napa's cuisine and viticultural scenes.
Even bold-faced thespians wanted in on the act (read more about that in Sunday's Style section) this year with actors such as Chris Noth, Minnie Driver, Dennis Haysbert, Andrea Anders, Michael Keaton, Kathy Garver and Hugh Dancy, who expertly trod the boards during an extreme and sidesplitting production by 24 Hour Plays.
Co-founded by Barrett Wissman and Rick Walker, the festival features performances, set amid spectacular private vineyards and properties, by such artists as violinist Joshua Bell, ballerina Lorna Feijoo, baritone Nathan Gunn and organizations including the Russian National Orchestra, Pan Extasy and Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra.