A Perfect Spot of Tea
presents
Agnes Zsigmondi
July 19 at 2:30 and 3:30pm

HADLEY – On Saturday, July 19, Agnes Zsigmondi will perform at the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Museum’s “A Perfect Spot of Tea” series. The Valley Advocate has described her as one of the Valley’s “most outstanding musicians, versatile in both traditional folk idioms and in her unique interpretation of North American jazz music.” Her voice has been described by the Liberation of Paris as “extraordinarily pure and magnetic.” Zsigmondi will be performing eastern European folk music and jazz, as well as her own pieces, which blend these two styles. During the music, guests can enjoy delectable pastries and fine tea donated by local businesses.

Zsigmondi was born in Budapest, Hungary. She became lead singer and flautist in the folk dancing group Bihari in 1972. She embarked on her first international tour as the soloist in the famous Hungarian gypsy group Rajko in 1974. During this period she also studied at the Bela Bartok Conservatory in Budapest. In 1975, she and four other musicians formed the group Kolinda. Their original compositions drew upon traditional melodies and rhythms of central Europe. They were quite popular, recording three albums together and performing at such venues as the Theatres de la Ville and Olympia in Paris. She has had several reunions with Kolinda over the years, including in 1996, when their fourth album debuted, and in 2004.

Zsigmondi began a new solo career in 1978. She moved from Budapest to Paris in 1980, where she performed at locations such as the Palais de Glaces and the Centre Georges Pompadou. She came to the United States in 1985. Her first American performance was at the Speak Easy Club in New York City. She has subsequently performed at numerous clubs and universities in this country. Zsigmondi now resides in Amherst, and frequently records her live performances in order to have them played on local television stations.

Admission to “A Perfect Spot of Tea” is $10.00 per person, and seatings are at 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. The Porter-Phelps-Huntington Museum is located at 130 River Drive (Route 47) in Hadley, two miles north of the junction of Routes 9 and 47. The Museum is open for guided tours Saturday through Wednesday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., and by appointment. For further information, call the Museum at (413) 584-4699.