Castleton News

On the site of a historic farm in a corner of Rappahannock County not far from Warrenton, Va., the brand new Castleton Festival - devoted primarily to the revival and performance of chamber operas by up-and-coming young singers and musicians - opened its doors this past weekend.

CASTLETON, Va., July 5 -- When Lorin Maazel, 79, built his home theater here, about 60 miles from Washington, he probably didn't envision that he would be inviting quite so many people over to watch performances. A 'home theater' for Maazel denotes not a private movie screen but an honest-to-goodness stage, orchestra pit and two levels of audience seating. And on Friday night, when he launched his Castleton Festival with a new production of Benjamin Britten's opera 'The Turn of the Screw,' he had a capacity audience of 140 people. Given both artistic considerations (the small size of the house limits the range of operas one can put on) and economic ones (at $50 to $80 per ticket, there is no way the enterprise can pay for itself), Maazel may well wish he had made his theater bigger to start with.

For first responders in Rappahannock County, navigating through rural, winding roads to get to an emergency can be difficult and time-consuming. Add to the fact that most homes are not properly marked, and trying to find the correct address of an accident can be like finding a needle in a haystack.

Across the country, summertime is festival time. From music to theater to dance, small towns and rural areas alike blossom with first-rate entertainment that attracts vacationers looking to add a little culture to their busy schedules.

Sitting in the shade of the 250 year-old beech tree on the lawn of her Castleton home, Dietlinde Maazel spoke candidly about her husband, one of the world's most sought-after conductors .

The maestro was honored this week with a host of tributes, including a mayoral proclamation.

The Charlottesville High School Orchestra is the only high school orchestra in the country invited to perform at the inaugural Castleton Music Festival , taking place at the Rappahannock County estate of New York Philharmonic music director Lorin Maazel .

Rappahannock County public schools may be heading in a new direction. With the announced retirement of School Superintendent Dr.

On July 3, the Chateauville Foundation and the Castleton Farm estate of Lorin and Dietlinde Maazel will host the first in a series of operas and concerts featuring the best of up and coming young artists from around the world.

The James E. Rogers Institute for Orchestral and Opera Conducting at the University of Arizona just completed its first year.

This summer, departing New York Philharmonic music director Lorin Maazel will host the inaugural Castleton Festival at his estate in the Virginia countryside.

By Mark Kanny , TRIBUNE-REVIEW CLASSICAL MUSIC CRITIC Sunday, May 24, 2009 Last updated: 12:31 pm Photos click to enlarge Chautauqua jam Courtesy Chautauqua Institution click to enlarge Open-air experience Robert Llewellyn click to enlarge Wolf Trap Courtesy of The Chauteauville Foundation click to enlarge Theater House Boston Symphony Orchestra ...

Taylor Light, 16, will get by with a little help from her friends and they just might garner enough donations to send her to Europe this July.

County Manager ducks cameras refusing to answer your questions Homeowner headache over dues If you live in a private community you are no stranger to homeowner association dues.