The Library of Congress has declared him a “national treasure” and the U.S. Department of State has anointed him their musical ambassador. On Thursday, Aug. 23, ragtime and boogie woogie piano master Bob Milne will perform at the historic Opera House in Boothbay Harbor.

When Milne last performed here he both dazzled and amused the audience with his playing and his deep knowledge of ragtime; it was a concert and an entertaining music lesson all at once. Milne had such a good time that night that he asked if he could come back and play this summer.

Milne is considered the best ragtime/boogie-woogie pianist in the world. He was filmed and documented for future generations in 2004 during three days of interviews at the Library of Congress, and was declared a “national treasure.” Milne is an active “musical ambassador” for the U.S. Department of State and has performed numerous times in Japan, including the Okinawan Islands and Hokkaido. He has also performed in this capacity for members of the Swiss Parliament at the U.S. Embassy in Berne.

“I knew how to play a piano long before I ever started. Just push down the notes you hear and the instrument will play itself. Can’t everyone do this?” He considers either looking at music or practicing to be “cheating.”

Playing in concert halls since 1991, Milne plays worldwide every year. A comment often heard following one of his performances is “unbelievable.” He teaches music history at various universities around the country, and is also the founder and director of the Frankenmuth Ragtime Festival in Michigan. 

“If I have been given any ability at all it, is my duty to honor it by trying to improve that ability every time I perform,” Milne said.

Tickets are $17 in advance and $22 on the day of the concert and are available through the Opera House box office at 86 Townsend Ave. or by calling 633-5159. Tickets are also available at www.boothbayoperahouse.com. Doors for seating open at 7 p.m., the performance begins at 7:30 p.m.