The Artosphere Festival Orchestra returns to the Walton Arts Center this spring to showcase the talents of 90 young musicians in three very different performances. Many of the players have been part of the AFO since the founding of Artosphere in 2011 and travel to Northwest Arkansas from around the world to perform under the baton of acclaimed Maestro Corrado Rovaris. Rovaris, born in Bergamo, Italy, and graduated from the Conservatory of Milan with degrees in composition, organ and harpsichord, took a few minutes to answer these questions for What's Up!
The Artosphere Festival Orchestra returns to the Walton Arts Center this spring to showcase the talents of 90 young musicians in three very different performances. Many of the players have been part of the AFO since the founding of Artosphere in 2011 and travel to Northwest Arkansas from around the world to perform under the baton of acclaimed Maestro Corrado Rovaris. Rovaris, born in Bergamo, Italy, and graduated from the Conservatory of Milan with degrees in composition, organ and harpsichord, took a few minutes to answer these questions for What s Up!
Joshua Stafford
Concert Organist
2016 First Prize Winner of the Longwood Gardens International Organ Competition
The meticulous technique, innate yet highly mature musicality, and constant musical engagement exhibited by Joshua Stafford compelled the jury of the 2016 Longwood Gardens International Organ Competition to name him, out of 12 stellar competitors, the Pierre S. du Pont First Prize Winner of this illustrious event.
As tough as the pandemic has been for musicians, it’s been a particular challenge for symphonic groups. Between COVID restrictions in venues that limit how many people can be on a stage, to the need for social distancing among players, live.