Conductor

Join us for a captivating virtual event celebrating Igor Stravinsky's groundbreaking work, "The Rite of Spring," hosted by the Mill Valley Philharmonic. This special session, led by Artistic Director Dana Sadava, took place on Sunday, April 11 at 5pm PST, offering a deep dive into Stravinsky's controversial and enchanting masterpiece. Known for its blend of folk elements and avant-garde innovation, "The Rite of Spring" has never failed to fascinate and provoke. This free event provided an opportunity to explore the riotous history of the ballet, its musical intricacies, and the enduring legacy of Stravinsky's composition. While the live event has passed, we invite you to watch a recording of this engaging session. Your support through donations helps us continue to bring these enriching experiences to our audience. Don't miss out on our upcoming events – join our mailing list for the latest updates!

Igor Stravinsky & The Rite of Spring

Join us for an unforgettable journey with "Hector Berlioz & Symphonie Fantastique" presented by the Mill Valley Philharmonic. This unique virtual event took place on Sunday, March 14th at 5pm PDT, offering audiences a fascinating exploration of Hector Berlioz's most famous work, Symphonie Fantastique. 

Under the expert guidance of MVP Artistic Director Dana Sadava, attendees were treated to an insightful session that delved into the wild, semi-autobiographical narrative of the symphony, highlighting Berlioz's revolutionary musical techniques and the dramatic story fueled by an extra dose of opium. This event not only showcased the genius of Berlioz but also demonstrated the innovative spirit of the Mill Valley Philharmonic.

We were thrilled to bring this fun, free virtual event to our audience and invite everyone to check out our upcoming events. For those who missed the live session or wish to experience it again, a recording is available for viewing. 

As we continue to offer these enriching musical experiences, we encourage and appreciate any support through donations. Your contributions help us keep the music playing and bring more events like this to you. 

Thank you for joining us on this fantastical musical journey!

Hector Berlioz & Symphonie Fantastique

Renowned ballet conductor Ming Luke, Principal Guest Conductor of San Francisco Ballet and Principal Conductor of Nashville Ballet, will give us an inside look into the world of professional ballet and its beautiful repertoire. We'll also explore Ravel's Daphnis and Chloe and the integration of music and dance with MVP Artistic Director, Dana Sadava.

Maurice Ravel & the Art of Ballet

Join us on Valentine's Day for a look at the beloved French composer Claude Debussy, including his masterpieces La Mer and Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun.  This fun and informative talk will be led by MVP Artistic Director Dana Sadava.

A French Valentine: Claude Debussy

On the eve of Black History month, you'll hear some truly wonderful music by composers William Grant Still, Florence Price, and 2020 Pulitzer Prize winner Anthony Davis. You'll learn about the remarkable lives of these groundbreaking musicians and why you should always check your attic for precious, lost manuscripts!  This session will be led by our Artistic Director, Dana Sadava.

Celebrating Black Composers

​​BYOB (Bring Your Own Baton) to this session where you'll learn what a conductor does every day. At the end of the session we'll have an optional conducting lesson, so get your batons, pencils, or BBQ skewers ready! Presented by Artistic Director Dana Sadava.

What (if anything) Does a Conductor Do?

Festival Orchestra Napa's appearance is made possible through a generous gift from Tatiana and Gerret Copeland, proprietors of Bouchaine Vineyards.

Frost School at Festival Napa Valley is a multiyear partnership with the University of Miami, featuring Frost School of Music faculty and students playing a lead role in the Festival’s university-level educational, chamber music, and orchestral music programming.

Dana Sadava

Conductor

Events

Apr 11, 2024

Igor Stravinsky & The Rite of Spring · Mill Valley Philharmonic

Mar 14, 2024

Hector Berlioz & Symphonie Fantastique · Mill Valley Philharmonic

Feb 28, 2024

Maurice Ravel & the Art of Ballet · Mill Valley Philharmonic

Feb 14, 2024

A French Valentine: Claude Debussy · Mill Valley Philharmonic

Jan 31, 2024

Celebrating Black Composers · Mill Valley Philharmonic

Future and recently performed repertoire

Conductor in Rigoletto by Verdi

Festival Napa Valley

Conductor in A Midsummer Night's Dream by Britten

Festival Napa Valley

Conductor in La rondine by Puccini

Festival Napa Valley

Conductor in Lucrezia Borgia by Donizetti

Festival Napa Valley

About

Dana Sadava hasn't added a bio