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Sounds of music may come from an old barn
Lorin Maazel, music director of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, and his wife, German actress Dietlinde Turban, are seeking a special exception permit to hold an annual summer music festival at their 550-acre Castleton farm.The Maazels' envision renovating an old hay barn and silo into performance space for an annual festival in July lasting no more than 25 days. Attendance would be limited to 200 persons.
In effect, this would add a second theatre to their farm where they have been hosting musical performances and artist-in-residence programs at their Castleton Theatre for several years. The theatre holds 120 persons.
The Maazel's application will be heard by the Rappahannock County Planning Commission at Wednesday's 7 p.m. meeting in the county courthouse.
The Castleton Festival, as the Maazel's call it, would be held next year from July 3 to July 19, if their application is approved.
(The Planning Commission will make a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors which has the final say.)
So far three key persons have recommended approval: one is County Administrator John McCarthy and two others are Maazel's closest neighbors who would be affected by a festival.
“Whether it be to promote tourism in our county, or to have excellent music events to attend in our backyard, or to support society and the arts community, we strongly believe that fostering the development of the Castleton Festival is in everyone's best interest,” wrote David and Marilyn Cooley Ginder in a letter to the Planning Commission and the supervisors.
McCarthy recommended approval of the Maazel's application saying it “proposes a use very limited in scope (200 patrons) and in time (a 25-day summer festival).
“It contemplates the reuse and conversion of existing structures, and provides for an expanded tourism opportunity in the county during a season when the local hospitality industry lags,” said McCarthy.
“ As they are proposing no overnight accommodations and only limited refreshments, existing local businesses should reap some of the benefits of the festival,” he said.
The music festival would be sponsored by the Maazel's nonprofit arts foundation, the Chateauville Foundation.
Mrs. Maazell said she and her husband plan to keep the same colors on the barn and silo which has a red standing-seam tin roof and gray wooden sides.
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