Community in Concert at Westminster Presbyterian Church in WEst Hartford will feature The Lillibridge Ensemble.

Submitted

Mark your calendar for Saturday, May 17 at 3 p.m. A truly extraordinary concert is coming to West Hartford.

Two members of The Lillibridge Ensemble, internationally celebrated violinist Raphael Ryger and pianist Madeleine Forte, are coming to Westminster Presbyterian Church for an unforgettable afternoon of world-class music. Admission is free with donations welcome at the door.

This is not your average community concert. These are artists who have graced the world’s great stages, praised by critics and audiences alike for performances that stir the soul and ignite the imagination. Together, Ryger and Forte bring passion, precision, and decades of global experience to the sanctuary of Westminster for an afternoon performance that promises to move and inspire.

“Westminster Presbyterian Church deeply values the connections we make with our neighbors”, says Callie Boone, Minister of Music at Westminster. “This year, we are thrilled to share our annual Community in Concert tradition with two of the foundational members of The Lillibridge Ensemble. As we endeavor to bolster support for our exceptional music program, we are deeply grateful to this world-renowned duo for sharing their gifts with us.”

Music holds a special place in the heart of Westminster. For over 35 years, the church has supported local university music students and graduates through its Tilton Music Scholar Program, integrating their talents into Westminster’s vibrant worship and musical life. The Community in Concert series was created to uplift these musicians in a shared celebration of fellowship and music.

Boone shared “Our first concert in 2022 featured Westminster’s music scholars along with several local professionals. It was a wonderful success. We’re thrilled to continue the tradition this year with The Lillibridge Ensemble. It will be an amazing afternoon of music and heartfelt community connection.”

Whether you’re a longtime lover of classical music or simply looking for a meaningful way to spend your Saturday afternoon, Community in Concert offers a rare opportunity to witness musical excellence up close and to celebrate the joy of coming together through the universal language of music.

A freewill offering will be collected during the concert to support the Tilton Music Scholarship Fund, which helps sustain the church’s long-standing tradition of mentoring and supporting emerging musicians.

Seating is first-come first-served.

About the Artists

Raphael Ryger, violin, was born in Israel and raised in New York City, returning to Israel before pursuing graduate studies in Philosophy at Yale University. He studied with leading violin pedagogues in both countries and has performed extensively as a soloist and concertmaster throughout Israel and Connecticut. A longtime member of Orchestra New England, Ryger is also a computer scientist and facilitator of a Yale faculty discussion group on science and utopian visions.

Madeleine Forte, piano, is a Juilliard-trained artist and recipient of the prestigious Josef Lhévinne Memorial Award. Known for her breathtaking tone and expressive phrasing, she has performed to critical acclaim across five continents. Her career as an educator spans over two decades at Boise State University, where she championed accessibility through scholarships for students from around the world. The New Yorker hailed her artistry, noting her “gorgeous tone and sensuous line… evoking classic French pianism.”

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