History of the Manchester Music Festival

Caroll Glenn & Eugene List

The Manchester Music Festival, Inc. (MMF) was founded in 1974 by pianist Eugene List, and his wife, violinist Carroll Glenn. Both enjoyed distinguished international careers. Together they ran what was then known as the Southern Vermont Arts Center Music Festival, (out of New York City). They invited colleagues to teach chamber music and perform with them during the summer in Manchester.

Nine years later, they invited Michael Rudiakov to join them as a faculty member and Festival Manager. Michael had strong musical credentials of his own, notably as director of the concert series Chamber Music at Sarah Lawrence and as a member of the Grammy nominated Composers String Quartet.

Michael Rudiakov

When, between 1983 and 1985 Carol and Eugene both passed away, Michael took over leadership of the Festival. With his wife, pianist and teacher, Judith he expanded the Festival activities well beyond the summer, naming the new venture the Manchester Music Festival. Ariel Rudiakov, violist and conductor assumed leadership at the passing of his father, Michael, in 2000.

Between 2001 and 2004, two prominent and deeply generous area philanthropists each donated an historic property to MMF. Mrs. Ivan Combe donated the old Village Schoolhouse located at 42 Dillingham Avenue in Manchester.

Festival House

Now known as Festival House, it accommodates MMF's offices, with space for meetings, music lessons, rehearsals, and housing for visiting artists. The late Mrs. Irene Hunter donated a pre-Civil War home at 184 Seminary Avenue in Manchester, now called Rudiakov House. The house had been a part of MMF's history since 1985 as the Rudiakov's private home as well as housing for visiting musicians and Young Artists.

top of page