Napa Valley Festival del Sole (an annual celebration of music, wine, food, the arts and wellness) featured Delos artists Ildar Abdrazakov and Constantine Orbelian in a spectacular concert with violinist Midori. Midori was magical in the first half, and after intermission Ildar and Constantine brought the house down repeatedly. As an encore, they did “Toreador” and Constantine turned to the audience and encouraged us to do rhythmic clapping during the (choral) refrain. I always love it when Constantine finds ways to bring the audience into the performance… Ildar is always wonderful on stage, miming and “in character” in an amusing aria, and thrillingly expressive throughout. I’m also happy to report that you can look forward to more Ildar Delos recordings to come…

See more photos from the festival on Bob McClenahan’s (the official festival photographer) blog