Barrett Wissman: Renaissance Man

PARVATHI NAYAR meets Barrett Wissman: chairman of arts management company IMG Artists, philanthropist, pianist and bon vivant

'have always been interested in doing many different things at the same time.' An unusual admission to make in these specialist times, when the age of the generalist, polymath or Renaissance man seems long gone. But Barrett Wissman - chairman of IMG Artists, also financier, philanthropist, classical pianist and bon vivant - is an unusual combination. You could call him a creative businessman, or a man interested in the business of creativity.

Photo: J. Henry Fair

Today, with an annual turnover exceeding US$100 million, 'we are the largest arts management company globally,' says Mr Wissman. IMG Artists represents some 500 top artists - Hilary Hahn, James Galway, Lang Lang, Murray Perahia, the Oslo Philharmonic with Andre Previn, and Pilobolus among others. Mr Wissman's personal contacts have expanded the areas of business, as in extending their representation of violin virtuoso Itzhak Perlman to Europe.

Festival del Sole's Ninth Season Announced

NAPA VALLEY FESTIVAL DEL SOLE CELEBRATES CULTURE, CUISINE,

WINE & WELLNESS IN AMERICA’S ICONIC WINE COUNTRY, JULY 11-20, 2014

Ninth Season Hits High Note with Exclusive Star-Studded Performances,

Anticipated Debuts, and More than 60 Unforgettable Cultural Adventures

NAPA VALLEY, Calif. (March 11, 2014) – Napa Valley Festival del Sole returns for its ninth season, July 11-20, 2014. One of the country’s most compelling summer celebrations, the 10-day festival features world-class classical music, jazz, opera and ballet along with curated culinary, wine and wellness adventures that celebrate the art of life.  www.festivaldelsole.org

From glamorous gala evenings featuring renowned artists to lively food and wine pursuits, Festival del Sole will present more than 60 memorable cultural adventures for every interest and budget in Napa Valley’s most remarkable settings. More...

Perth Festival of the Arts

Perth Festival of the Arts is an annual 11 day May Festival, founded in 1972, and taking place in the City of Perth in Scotland. The Festival is an independent registered charity. It covers a wide range of artforms from classical music and opera to rock, jazz, folk, dance and visual art. The Festival takes place in Perth Concert Hall, Perth Theatre and St John's Kirk.

The 2014 SXSW Music Festival Artist Announcement - Round Two

The second round of SXSW Music Festival artist announcements is here, including a much-anticipated appearance by synth and industrial music pioneer Gary Numan.

Numan's influence has been recognized by a diverse array of artists, including Prince, Lady Gaga, Trent Reznor, Queens of the Stone Age and Kanye West. His latest, and first full-length studio album since 2006, Splinter (Songs From A Broken Mind), is bound to continue such praise, with the award-winning electro-pioneer teaming up with Nine Inch Nails guitarist Robin Finck and producer Ade Fenton for his heaviest and most accomplished album to date. Other notable round two artists include Broken Social Scene's Kevin Drew, new Bella Union signing Ballet School, Talib Kweli, Quantic, Of Mice & Men, and more!

See the entire list of newly announced artists: http://sxsw.com/music/news/2013/2014-sxsw-music-festival-artist-announcement-round-two

Barrett Wissman and Alexander Shustorovich, Co-Chairmen of IMG Artists, Unveil New, Multi-Million Dollar Arts and Entertainment Powerhouse

Largest ever U.S.-China performing arts joint venture seeks to transform and expand access to China’s arts and entertainment industry

NEW YORK, NY, November 22, 2013 -- Today, The China Arts and Entertainment Group and IMG Artists announced a new joint venture called Sino America Global Entertainment (SAGE) – effectively establishing the largest private, performing arts partnership between the United States and China. The official signing was overseen by Liu Yandong, Vice Premier of the State Council, and Ding Wei, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Culture, during a Symposium in New York attended by dignitaries and executives from the leading arts, education and culture institutions in New York held at Carnegie Hall.

China Arts and Entertainment Group (CAEG) is the largest entertainment and arts exhibition company of its kind in China, with a global business in stage entertainment and art exhibitions that represents 90% of China’s overseas commercial performance business. IMG Artists represents over 500 of the world’s leading artists and is the global leader in the performing arts management, tours, festivals, events and consulting business.

Barrett Wissman and IMG Artists Announce 24 Hour Plays with performances by Chazz Palmintieri, Christopher Meloni & Alfre Woodard

24-Hour Plays returns to Festival del Sole with an award-winning cast. This year's film and television stars include Allison Janney, Calista Flockhart, Christopher Meloni, Alfre Woodard, Chazz and Gianna Palminteri, Jim O'Heir, Amy Povich, Kathy Garver, Tamara Tunie and Star Jones, as well as Hollywood Directors David Siegel and Scott McGehee (What Maisie Knew). See them up close for this fun-filled evening of "extreme theater," in which the players, writers and directors must create, write, rehearse and perform four 10-minute plays in the space of 24 hours.

Barrett Wissman and IMG Artists Announce Festival del Sole's Eighth Season

NAPA VALLEY, Calif. (March 12, 2013) –Napa Valley Festival del Sole returns to the world stage to celebrate its eighth season, July 12-21. With more than 60 custom-curated programs and star-studded performances, this year’s 10-day festival features a compelling and diverse line-up of cultural, culinary, wine and wellness experiences that offer rare insider access to Napa Valley’s most remarkable and authentic settings. www.festivaldelsole.org

One of America’s premier music and lifestyle festivals, Napa Valley Festival del Sole today stands apart by artfully pairing incredible bucket list adventures with equally memorable experiences for every budget and interest. Festival offerings range from a Great Gatsby-esque gala at Meadowood Napa Valley to an admission-free family concert with celebrity narrators to the rejuvenating Yoga In the Vineyards. Festival guests may also choose from a variety of extraordinary events at venues including a private art gallery and a fairytale castle, performances by such luminaries as Audra McDonald and Jessye Norman, young artist concerts introducing the stars of tomorrow, and the Taste of Napa showcase featuring 50 top wineries and artisanal food purveyors.