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Westben Arts Festival, Opening Gala
1 July 2000
“The Barn”, Westben, Ontario
Donna Bennett, soprano
Nancy Hermiston, soprano
Louise Winter, mezzo-soprano
Mark DuBois, tenor
Gerald Finley, bass-baritone
Stephen Sitarski, violin
Daniel Warren, trumpet
Brian Finley, piano
The Westben Chorus & Orchestra
Dwight Bennett, conductor
From the Westben website:
http://www.westben.on.ca/about/index.php
The Westben Arts Festival Theatre is the realization of a Dream.
It is a magical blend of world class music, wonderful people and a magnificent setting.
In 1990, soprano Donna Bennett and pianist/composer Brian Finley …were enjoying the early stages of international careers. Having lived and worked for several years in Europe, they returned to Donna’s hometown of Campbellford, Ontario to start a family.
Inspired by the talented and energetic community, the couple shared their love of music making by performing and hosting events at local venues…
…In 1999, The Westben Arts Festival Theatre was formed as a not-for-profit organization dedicated to creating, enriching and integrating professionals and amateurs in musical projects and educational activities. Run by a Board of Directors, Westben received its charitable status in 2000.
Brimming with enthusiasm, Donna and Brian led the young organization in building a new concert hall to reflect the co-founders’ multi-faceted artistic vision. This new facility must be acoustically suited for classical music, accessible for audiences, in both comfort and style, and harmonious with the surrounding farmland.
Didier Schvarts of Lakefield’s Sun Wood Company took on the challenge. The result is a stunning timber-frame structure. An acoustical marvel, the concert facility is beautiful in its grand simplicity. Creatively indigenous to its pastoral setting, the audience-friendly venue has come to be known affectionately as The Barn. Construction on The Barn in 2000 culminated in a spectacular gala opening on Canada Day of that same year.