Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1502512
LOCAL BUZZ Bravo, from Macon! Rome Chamber Music Festival celebrates 20 years JUNE MARKED THE 20TH anniversary of The Rome Chamber Music Festival in Italy. The connection between Rome, the festival, and Macon has never been stronger. Begun in 2003 by Macon native Robert McDuffie, the Festival has become one of Rome's lasting cultural occasions. International and Rome- based websites spotlighting Rome's art, theatrical, and musical highlights refer to the annual event as "much looked forward to" and "not to be missed." After leaving Macon and attending Julliard, McDuffie became an international celebrity through virtuosic violin performances with leading orchestras in prominent performance halls and illustrious festivals across the globe. While on an early sabbatical at the American Academy in Rome, McDuffie stayed at its Villa Aurelia built for Cardinal Girolarmo Farnese circa 1650. McDuffie said he fell in love with the city and all it offers. "At the time, I knew I had to come back to the States, but I knew l would return to Rome again and again," McDuffie explained. However, McDuffie had also noticed that, "In a city filled with such musical history, there wasn't a chamber music festival. So I created a summer festival to bring the world's greatest musicians to play the most beloved chamber music. I'm glad Rome has welcomed the festival in such a wonderful way." The Rome Chamber Music Festival has gained official recognition from the city and music lovers. Once satisfied to bring the world's greatest professional players together, true to form, McDuffie expanded the festival's scope, adding an educational component. The festival began making room for the world's most promising young students, including many from the McDuffie Center for Strings which he founded in Macon in conjunction with Mercer University. "About 30 young international artists are involved in the festival this year with many from the Center for Strings," he said. "Having a festival where young artists come to the world's most beautiful, inspiring city to be coached by and perform on stage next to established international artists is a dream come true for us all. Bonds are created and a kind of family formed with musicians young and old staying in touch and playing together worldwide." In its 20 years, the festival has taken place in many of Rome's loveliest historic venues. This year, the prestigious Teatro Argentina in the heart of Rome is ground zero for the festival. The Rome Chamber Music Festival has become an international studies component for McDuffie Center for Strings students. McDuffie said that in addition to musicians celebrating the festival's 20th anniversary, a larger than usual Macon contingent traveled in, including Mercer University President William Underwood, strengthening the ties that bind Macon to this event and helping make the anniversary a memorable one. — MICHAEL W. PANNELL MCDUFFIE CENTER STUDENTS IN FLORENCE FOR A ROME CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL APPEARANCE IN 2021. PHOTO BY CAMILLA CHEADE 32 maconmagazine.com | JUNE/JULY 2023