"Red Violin" Makes Westport Debut

Violinist Elizabeth Pitcairn shows off the instrument believed to have inspired the1999 film "The Red Violin" at a Westport fund-raiser Thursday night to benefit the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra. The event took place at the home of Milette Alexander. Pitcairn will perform John Corigliano's "The Red Violin: Chaconne for Violin and Orchestra" with the orchestra Saturday night. She acquired the 1720 Stradivarius, once owned by the descendants of composer Felix Mendelssohn, at a London auction in 1990. Corigliano, a former Westport resident who won an Academy Award for his "Red Violin" score and who was honored by Westport's Art Council in 2003, will speak before the concert at the Norwalk Concert Hall. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo