JAVS Summer 2026

Figure 2. International Viola Society (IVS) Round Table. Photo courtesy of 50th IVC.

day of the congress to create a seamless ensemble for the performance. The actors, drawn from the board members of the International Viola Society and volunteers, brought the story to life across ten vividly staged scenes, using music to convey history, imagination, and human experience, while simultaneously reflecting on the fifty year legacy of the Society itself. The production was both an artistic feast and a multisensory symphony of history, creativity, music, and theater. Through the interplay of drama and live performance, the audience experienced the profound depth and distinctive charm of viola artistry, spanning half a century of dedication and evolution.

Another highlight of this year’s congress came on the final day, with the premiere of a truly unique theatrical production at the renowned Opéra National de Paris— Bastille. The play was conceived and directed by Karin Dolman, current President of the International Viola Society, who crafted both the music and script specifically for the 50th International Viola Congress. The work, titled Raiders of the Lost Tone: An Epic Hunt through 50 Years of Congresses, offered a spectacular fusion of music and drama. The score was performed live by nearly one hundred violists of all ages from around the world, who had been rehearsing together since the first

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Journal of the American Viola Society / Vol. 42, Summer 2026 Online Issue