Acclaimed classical musicians Odin Rathnam and Robert Koenig headline a September 15 “Music and Healing” concert at The Forum Auditorium in Harrisburg to raise awareness and funds for the life-changing mission of World Surgical Foundation (WSF). As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, WSF provides charitable surgical health care to the world’s poor and underserved in developing nations regardless of race, color, religion or creed. Dr. Domingo T. Alvear, founder of WSF and a retired pioneering surgeon, will lead a team of volunteer medical professionals from across the country and beyond on a humanitarian mission to Honduras from Sept. 21-29. The concert is WSF’s Key Event for 2019.
“We are beyond thrilled to have two world-class musical artists, violinist Odin Rathnam and pianist Robert Koenig, headlining our benefit concert to allow us to continue our life-saving, life-altering work for children in desperate need of medical care, intervention and surgical procedures,” said Dr. Alvear. “We look forward to sharing the talents of these two extremely gifted musicians and know that music has tremendous healing power.In fact, the traditional Chinese character for medicine combines the characters for music and herb – recognizing the importance of nutrition and music in our health. So, it is fitting to have these two superb classical artists amplify and support our healing work around the world, and we are excited to further connect Central Pennsylvanians to our vital life-changing work.”
WSF’s surgical brigade, drawing volunteer doctors, nurses and staff from California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia and international volunteers from China and Japan, embarks for San Pedro Sula, Honduras on Sept. 21 and will perform operations on children and adults at the Hospital Leonardo Martínez and Hospital Nacional Dr. Mario Catarino Rivas. Procedures to improve the quality of life for children and families include cyst, gall bladder and hernia removal; and colorectal, esophageal, gynecologic, breast, hand and plastic surgery.
(NOTE: Media can arrange pre-interviews with Dr. Alvear, Odin Rathnam and other participants by calling 717-979-0692 or 717-514-6301.)
Concert Details
Who:
Odin Rathnam, Violinist
Robert Koenig, Pianist
Domingo T. Alvear, MD, Chair and Founder, World Surgical Foundation
Distinguished Service Award honorees, Dr. David C. Leber and Ruth Krise, RN, long-time WSF volunteers
What: Music and Healing Concert for World Surgical Foundation
When: Sunday, September 15, 2019, 3 p.m.
Where: The Forum Auditorium, 500 Walnut Street, Harrisburg, Pa. 17120
Tickets: www.worldsurgicalfoundation.org
About Odin Rathnam
Since his critically acclaimed Lincoln Center debut in 1993, violinist Odin Rathnam has established an international career of remarkable versatility and depth. As an orchestral soloist, recitalist and chamber musician, he has received unanimous praise from audiences and critics for his “innate musicianship,” “brilliant technique” and “recalling the great violinists of past generations.” In 2011, he was the recipient of the DES Cultural Prize in Copenhagen and made his debut as conductor and soloist with the Randers Chamber Orchestra, in three performances of Piazzolla’s and Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. Rathnam’s artistry, charisma and passion are credited by many for leading the outstanding artistic development of the Harrisburg Symphony, where he served as concertmaster with distinction for 21 years. In 1995, he also created the critically acclaimed chamber ensemble, Concertante, with whom he performed and recorded for 7 years.
About Robert Koenig
Pianist Robert Koenig has established a reputation as a much sought-after collaborative pianist and chamber musician. He performs regularly in major centers throughout the world with many of this generation’s most renowned musicians. Recent engagements have included performances at Carnegie Hall in New York, The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, Suntory Hall in Tokyo, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the Louvre Museum in Paris, and Royal Festival Hall in London. He has performed with many of today’s leading artists including Sarah Chang, Hilary Hahn, Pamela Frank, Augustin Hadelich, Zuill Bailey, Sara Sant’Ambrogio, Roberto Diaz, Elmar Oliveira, Aaron Rosand, the Miro String Quartet, and the St. Lawrence String Quartet. He is frequently heard on radio and television including ABC’s “Good Morning America” and CBS “This Morning.”
About World Surgical Foundation
WSF has conducted 52 surgical missions and performed more than 9,000 free surgeries since October 1997. We have improved health care in many developing countries, including Ecuador, Ethiopia, Haiti, Honduras, India, Nigeria, the Philippines and Thailand. Volunteer surgeons from multiple specialties, nurses and support staff make these surgical camps possible. We provide life-changing surgeries and education to medical staff during each trip, and donate medical equipment, supplies and pharmaceuticals to impoverished communities around the world. Your donations make all this possible. Funds are continually needed to purchase and ship desperately needed equipment, supplies and medicine across the globe. Visit us at www.worldsurgicalfoundation.org to learn how you can help, and follow us on Facebook @worldsurgicalfoundation.