Whether it’s unmatched authors in the MFA Program for Writers residency or world-renowned musicians of the folk and Celtic variety, summers at Warren Wilson College put the fine arts front and center. The longest running tradition, the Swannanoa Chamber Music Festival, is entering its 48th season with performances throughout July in Asheville, Waynesville, and Greenville. The series launches June 30, July 1 and 2. Featuring the world class artistry audiences have come to anticipate, the 48th season line up will not disappoint. “After nearly 50 years, the Swannanoa Chamber Music Festival attracts the world’s top talent,” said Inessa Zaretsky, director and pianist for the festival. “This year, we’re thrilled to have the Jasper String Quartet, Enso String Quartet and Tesla String Quartet return to our festival.” The 2018 festival highlights include two world premieres of commissioned works, Clarinet Quintet by Alyssa Weinberg, commissioned by Chamber Music America for the Enso String Quartet; and Sextet for piano 4 hands and string quartet by Inessa Zaretsky, commissioned by Lenore Fishman Davis for the St.Urban concert series. The season opener will feature internationally acclaimed counter-tenor Nicholas Tamagna; program 3 is dedicated entirely to the works of Schubert with arguably his greatest masterpiece - the cello quintet crowning the evening; and an all-star ensemble with principal players from major symphony orchestras for our closing program including Alexander Velinzon (violin, Boston Symphony Orchestra), Elisa Barston (violin, Seattle Symphony), Tatjana Mead-Chamis (viola, Pittsburg Symphony Orchestra), Mihail Istomin (cello, Pittsburg Symphony Orchestra) and Joseph McFadden (bass, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra). Performances Saturdays at Warren Wilson College’s Kitredge Community Arts Center here in Asheville, NC; Sundays at First United Methodist Church in Waynesville, NC; and Mondays at Carolina Music Museum in Greenville, SC. Program 1 - June 30, July 1, 2: Songs by Bach, Hendel, Poulenc and Hahn; Felix Mendelssohn String Quartet in D major Op. 44, No. 1 - Jasper String Quartet; Nicholas Tamagna, countertenor; Inessa Zaretsky, piano. Program 2 - July 7, 8, 9: Ludwig van Beethoven String Quartet in D major, Op.18, No.3; Alyssa Weinberg Clarinet Quintet; Cesar Franck Piano Quintet in F minor - Enso String Quartet; Benjamin Mitchell, clarinet; Inessa Zaretsky, piano. Program 3 - July 14, 15, 16: Franz Schubert String Quartet in A minor, No. 13 “Rosamunde”; Selections from Moment musicaux, Impromptu; String Quintet in C major, Op. 163 - Tesla String Quartet; Kathe Jarka, cello; Inessa Zaretsky, piano. Program 4 - July 21, 22, 23: Ludwig van Beethoven String Quartet in A major, Op.18, No. 5; Inessa Zaretsky Sextet for piano 4 hands and string quartet; Claude Debussy String Quartet in G minor, Op.10 - Tesla String Quartet; Lenore Fishman Davis, piano; Inessa Zaretsky, piano. Program 5 - July 28, 29, 30: Ernő Dohnányi Serenade for string trio in C major, Op.10; Amadeus Mozart Concerto for piano in C major, No.21; Antonín Dvořák String Quintet in G major, No. 2, Op. 77 - All Star Ensemble with Alexander Velinzon, violin; Elisa Barston, violin; Tatjana Mead-Chamis, viola; Mihail Istomin, cello; Joe McFadden, bass; Inessa Zaretsky, piano. For tickets and additional information, visit https://scm-festival.com.