ArtistDirect News
Music on the Strait Opens 2026 Season with World Premiere of Gabriela Lena Franks El Mundo
Music on the Strait (MOTS) opened its 2026 summer season on Saturday, August 25, with a 7 p.m. concert at Port Angeles' Field Arts & Events Hall. The program, staged against the backdrop of the Puget Sound, began with a stirring welcome that set the tone for a festival that balances classic repertoire with bold contemporary works.
At the heart of the evening was the world premiere of Gabriela Lena Frank’s aria “El Mundo.” The Pulitzer Prize‑winning composer, who served as MOTS’ composer‑in‑residence in 2025, brought her signature lyrical intensity to a piece written for mezzo‑soprano and a small instrumental ensemble. Mezzo‑soprano Abigail Nims, a voice professor at the University of Colorado at Boulder, delivered the aria with both technical mastery and emotional depth.
Frank’s new work draws on the mythic figure of Frida Kahlo, portraying the painter’s spirit as she contemplates returning to the living world after the death of her husband, Diego Rivera. Program notes describe the piece as a meditation on pain, love, and the afterlife, weaving Kahlo’s personal tragedy into a universal narrative of longing and resilience.
Frank’s prominence in the contemporary music scene has been cemented by her 2026 Pulitzer Prize for Music, awarded for the symphonic work “Picaflor: A Future Myth.” Earlier that year, her opera “El Último Sueño de Frida y Diego” debuted at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, further establishing her as a leading voice in American opera.
Founded eight years ago by Port Angeles violinist James Garlick and Sequim violinist Richard O’Neill, MOTS has cultivated a reputation for accessible, high‑quality programming. The festival’s pay‑what‑you‑can ticketing model, combined with live‑streaming of concerts, has made classical and contemporary music available to a wide audience. Opening‑night tickets, including ‘pay‑what‑you‑happy’ seats starting at $5, can be purchased through musiconthestrait.org or at the Field Hall box office.
The evening also featured Ottorino Respighi’s “Il Tramonto” and Erno Dohnanyi’s Piano Quintet, both performed by the same chamber ensemble that supported Frank’s aria. The group included violinist Kristin Lee, a Juilliard‑trained artist who has appeared at Lincoln Center; principal violist Maiya Papach of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra; pianist August Baik; and Estonian cellist Silver Ainomäe, associate principal cellist of the Minnesota Orchestra. Garlick himself took the stage as a performer, underscoring the festival’s collaborative spirit.
Prior to the concert, the Sunset Lounge opened at 5:45 p.m., offering food, drink, and live programming for attendees. At 6:15 p.m., Classical KING‑FM host Lisa Bergman led a pre‑concert chat, giving listeners insight into the evening’s program and the composers behind the music.
Looking ahead, the 2026 season will feature three additional concerts, all held at Field Hall. The finale on August 30 will showcase pianist Jeremy Denk alongside the Takács Quartet, who will perform Beethoven’s Piano Sonata in D minor, Franck’s Piano Quintet in F minor, and Frank’s “Quijotadas.” The schedule reflects MOTS’ commitment to a balanced repertoire that spans the classical canon and contemporary innovation.
By highlighting operatic works for the first time, MOTS has expanded its artistic reach while staying true to its community‑focused mission. Cofounder Garlick noted that the decision was fueled by a long‑standing desire to feature voice and by encouragement from former Port Angeles High School music teacher Jolene Dalton Gailey. Regional media have already taken notice, and the festival’s website reports that tickets for the finale remain available.
With a season that blends myth‑inspired contemporary opera, chamber music, and classic repertoire, Music on the Strait continues to offer high‑quality performances that are both accessible and artistically ambitious, reaffirming its role as a cultural touchstone for the Port Angeles community.
At the heart of the evening was the world premiere of Gabriela Lena Frank’s aria “El Mundo.” The Pulitzer Prize‑winning composer, who served as MOTS’ composer‑in‑residence in 2025, brought her signature lyrical intensity to a piece written for mezzo‑soprano and a small instrumental ensemble. Mezzo‑soprano Abigail Nims, a voice professor at the University of Colorado at Boulder, delivered the aria with both technical mastery and emotional depth.
Frank’s new work draws on the mythic figure of Frida Kahlo, portraying the painter’s spirit as she contemplates returning to the living world after the death of her husband, Diego Rivera. Program notes describe the piece as a meditation on pain, love, and the afterlife, weaving Kahlo’s personal tragedy into a universal narrative of longing and resilience.
Frank’s prominence in the contemporary music scene has been cemented by her 2026 Pulitzer Prize for Music, awarded for the symphonic work “Picaflor: A Future Myth.” Earlier that year, her opera “El Último Sueño de Frida y Diego” debuted at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, further establishing her as a leading voice in American opera.
Founded eight years ago by Port Angeles violinist James Garlick and Sequim violinist Richard O’Neill, MOTS has cultivated a reputation for accessible, high‑quality programming. The festival’s pay‑what‑you‑can ticketing model, combined with live‑streaming of concerts, has made classical and contemporary music available to a wide audience. Opening‑night tickets, including ‘pay‑what‑you‑happy’ seats starting at $5, can be purchased through musiconthestrait.org or at the Field Hall box office.
The evening also featured Ottorino Respighi’s “Il Tramonto” and Erno Dohnanyi’s Piano Quintet, both performed by the same chamber ensemble that supported Frank’s aria. The group included violinist Kristin Lee, a Juilliard‑trained artist who has appeared at Lincoln Center; principal violist Maiya Papach of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra; pianist August Baik; and Estonian cellist Silver Ainomäe, associate principal cellist of the Minnesota Orchestra. Garlick himself took the stage as a performer, underscoring the festival’s collaborative spirit.
Prior to the concert, the Sunset Lounge opened at 5:45 p.m., offering food, drink, and live programming for attendees. At 6:15 p.m., Classical KING‑FM host Lisa Bergman led a pre‑concert chat, giving listeners insight into the evening’s program and the composers behind the music.
Looking ahead, the 2026 season will feature three additional concerts, all held at Field Hall. The finale on August 30 will showcase pianist Jeremy Denk alongside the Takács Quartet, who will perform Beethoven’s Piano Sonata in D minor, Franck’s Piano Quintet in F minor, and Frank’s “Quijotadas.” The schedule reflects MOTS’ commitment to a balanced repertoire that spans the classical canon and contemporary innovation.
By highlighting operatic works for the first time, MOTS has expanded its artistic reach while staying true to its community‑focused mission. Cofounder Garlick noted that the decision was fueled by a long‑standing desire to feature voice and by encouragement from former Port Angeles High School music teacher Jolene Dalton Gailey. Regional media have already taken notice, and the festival’s website reports that tickets for the finale remain available.
With a season that blends myth‑inspired contemporary opera, chamber music, and classic repertoire, Music on the Strait continues to offer high‑quality performances that are both accessible and artistically ambitious, reaffirming its role as a cultural touchstone for the Port Angeles community.