The Spoleto Festival USA community is deeply saddened by the passing of Scott Nickrenz, a visionary chamber musician and the director of the festival’s beloved Chamber Music series for over a decade. Nickrenz, who died March 17 at the age of 87, leaves behind a legacy of musical excellence and intimate artistic connection.
From 1978 to 1993, Nickrenz, alongside his cherished partner and wife, flutist Paula Robison, masterfully curated the chamber music series at Spoleto Festival USA. They also spent time at sister festivals in Spoleto, Italy, and Melbourne, Australia. Their collaboration was a testament to their shared passion and dedication to the art form.
Nickrenz’s influence extended far beyond programming. He was a collaborator, a facilitator, and a true believer in the power of chamber music to forge profound connections. His discerning taste drew some of the world’s most celebrated musicians to Spoleto, including the legendary cellist Yo-Yo Ma, who graced the Dock Street Theatre stage in 1978 and 1979.
His vision for chamber music was both deeply personal and profoundly resonant. In a 1978 statement, Nickrenz articulated his belief in the art form’s ability to bridge the gap between performer and audience: “Chamber music is now enjoying a phenomenal success in our country. Americans are saying to themselves: ‘I want beauty and music as part of my life.’ Chamber music satisfies this need because its performances include everybody; the musicians respond to each other and at the same time interact with the audience so that everyone is a participant. The beautiful Dock Street Theatre is the perfect setting for this kind of special intimacy.”
His words capture the essence of what made his tenure at Spoleto so special. He understood that chamber music was more than just a performance; it was a shared experience, an intimate conversation between artists and listeners.
Read his full obituary, from WBUR »
Photo: Chamber Music Director Scott Nickrenz with Charles Wadsworth, Gian Carlo Menotti, Jim Kearney, Patti McGee, and Ted Stern in 1979. Courtesy of the McGee Family.