Swedish Summer Highlights:

The force of traditions alone would not be enough to bring several hundred people together in a plain church far off every path, beaten or otherwise, but following those traditions is deeply satisfying. This year, as in previous years, Stefan Olmårs gathered up a group of performers intriguing enough so that the concert needed to be performed twice to filled pews. We attended the 5pm edition, along with members of the Scandinavian Society who had arrived by train. As always, the musical part of the program was based on veteran singers as well as a relative newcomer, in this case mezzo Vilma Skäryd, native to this part of Sweden. Vilma has been part of the Voxna cadre last year as well, and she continues to mature as a singer. Grieg’s “Jeg elsker deg” and “Mon coeur s’ouvre à ta voix” were well-chosen and well-received, among other selections.