Apr 27 Saturday
Renaissance Jukebox presents music inspired by the works of Wm. Shakespeare(and beyond): In Spring...As oft 'twixt May and April is to see,When winds breathe sweet, unruly though they be. from A Lover's Complaint, pub. 1609
This program includes quotes, songs, ballads, and instrumental works associated with Shakespeare in his own era, and modern songs that connect with our personal and sometimes unruly responses to Shakespeare’s texts. Works of Campion, Danyel, Dowland, Holborne, and other 17th-century composers, in juxtaposition with modern songs evoking related stories, moods, and/or imagery, by Jason Isbell, Cat Stevens, the Everly Brothers, Phoebe Bridgers, Hozier and others.
Renaissance Jukebox is comprised of longtime early music performers Donnie Cotter (voice), Meg Pash (lute, voice, viol) and Chris Stetson (lute, mandolin), newly joined by McKay Perry (violin) and Liam Birkerts (bass viol). As individual and intergenerational artists they have explored the song literature of the 16th and 17th centuries with modern singer-songwriter styles from folk to rock, country, and jazz, and have come to value and enjoy presenting thematic and expressive connections among multiple genres across the centuries.
Since the founding of Tanglewood in 1940 by Serge Koussevitzky, the BSO’s long-time music director and conductor, the Berkshires and Koussevitzky have become synonymous with world-class classical music. 2024 marks the 150th anniversary of Koussevitzky’s birth and the West Stockbridge Historical Society has an opportunity to participate in the celebration of this occasion and in doing so make some history itself.
Susan Hagen, principal bassist of the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra and first alternate bassist for both the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Pops Orchestra 150th anniversary during the spring of 2024. Susan, along with renowned British bassist David Heyes, has curated a program of music expressly commissioned for the occasion. In addition to the newly commissioned compositions, their program will also include several pieces for bass by composers such as Giovanni Bottesini. Accompanying the two bassists will be pianist Rebecca Plummer and acclaimed soprano Sarah Poole.
May 06 Monday
In an intimate dinner-theater experience, "Domme & Giovanni" is a modern retelling of Mozart's famous opera "Don Giovanni". In this sexy, modern and comedic twist of the centuries-old opera, Giovanni better ensures the relevancy told from a female point of view.
May 10 Friday
J.S. Bach owed part of his creative inspiration to the 17th-century’s Stylus phantasticus, a method that sought freedom of form and expression, especially in instrumental works. This program explores several composers who embraced this approach. With a flourishing send-off in the finale of our 25th anniversary year, birds of a feather include Rosenmüller, Reincken, Westhoff, Schmelzer, Scheidt, and Bach, with his sparkling harpsichord concerto in E major.
With Christina Day Martinson, Megumi Stohs Lewis, violins; Jenny Stirling, viola; Jennifer Morsches, piccolo cello; Timothy Merton, cello; Maggie Cole, harpsichord.
Information at https://www.sarasamusic.org/birds
May 11 Saturday
Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Artistic Directors Wu Han and David Finckel return to end the season with guest violinist Chad Hoopes.
May 12 Sunday
On Sunday, May 12, at 3PM, the Springfield Chamber Players will perform Clifton J. Noble, Jr.’s Johnny Appleseed, a folk cantata for narrator, treble choir, and chamber ensemble based on Jane Yolen’s children’s book. Legendary nurseryman Johnny Appleseed’s (John Chapman) Longmeadow roots inspired the Longmeadow Chamber Music Society to commission Noble to write the piece in 2008. This performance will be its first since then. Noble, music director and pianist for the concert, will be joined by Marsha Harbison, violinist; Boris Kogan, cellist; Michael Nix, banjoist; Ellen Redman, flutist; and the First Church Children’s Choir. Patrick Berry narrates. Additional music selections and cast will be announced. Tickets, general admission, are $25.00, and student tickets are $10.00: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/johnny-appleseed-tickets-784786837557?aff=oddtdtcreator
Jul 31 Wednesday
Conductor David Robertson, an American music visionary, returns to SPAC for the first time over a decade leading the orchestra in a dazzling evening of Tchaikovsky featuring the 1812 Overture with live cannon fire and a brilliant fireworks display. Pianist and International Tchaikovsky Competition silver medalist George Li makes his Philadelphia Orchestra and SPAC debut performing the Piano Concerto No. 1.
On sale now at spac.org
Aug 01 Thursday
Celebrate the 100th anniversary of Gershwin’s iconic Rhapsody in Blue with legendary jazz pianist Marcus Roberts and his trio alongside the orchestra. The program continues with one of the orchestra’s signature pieces, Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances, written for and premiered by The Philadelphia Orchestra in 1940 and 1941.