Fans of the Portland Chamber Music Festival gather in Cape Elizabeth to support a beloved arts event.

Violinist Jennifer Elowitch is a woman with many ardent admirers, and nowhere was that more evident than at the 23rd annual Spring Benefit for the Portland Chamber of Music Festival, a private soiree and fundraiser for the week-long musical event she cofounded in 1994.

“Jenny is wonderful and brings such great music here, a lot of it avant-garde,” explained Cynthia Murray-Beliveau of Portland, who is a friend and supporter. “She’s so genuine and real, and she explains what they are doing. She is a terrific musician.”

Harold and Claudia Pachios of Cape Elizabeth graciously opened up their lovely home overlooking Casco Bay to host an intimate gathering of family, friends and longtime supporters of the festival for a spring supper provided by Aurora Provisions. A boutique silent auction followed.

“I am delighted to be here for our 23rd benefit,” said Elowitch as the crowd gathered in close to listen to her on violin, cellist Jennifer Lucht of Boston and violist Russell Wilson perform. “I am really touched to be here and see all of the people who have been with us since the beginning.”

Host Committee members Joshua Clark of Transparent Audio and his wife, Portia Clark, enjoyed the company of Kenneth Dunlap, Peggy Shapiro and Severin Beliveau of Portland. Drs. Jennifer and Fred Aronson of Cape Elizabeth, Merle and Leonard Nelson of Falmouth and Robin and Larry Rubinstein of Scarborough also attended.

“I’m a big fan of the Portland Chamber Music Festival,” said Suzanne Nance, award-winning broadcaster and former MPBN music director, who now calls Chicago home. Chatting nearby were Melanie Stewart Cutler of Cape Elizabeth, Sally Bancroft of Cumberland and Jessica Smart of Portland.

“This is the 22nd year of the festival and our 23rd benefit,” explained Alice Kornhauser, executive director of the festival. “We had a benefit to make the first year possible, and now, 22 years later, many of those same people are in the room, as well as those that are here for the first time and are new to the festival. It’s so inspiring to have that stalwart support along with people who are just discovering the festival. It’s mutually inspiring. We are all here because we love great music.”

For more information about the Portland Chamber Music Festival, visit www.pcmf.org.

Margaret Logan is a freelance writer who lives in Scarborough. She can be contacted at:

mlogan@maine.rr.com