Unique musical offerings and ancient treasures commence the arts season at Middlebury College
MIDDLEBURY, Vt. ? Middlebury College promises a dynamic kick-off to its arts scene this fall with a rare free concert by one of the most esteemed string quartets of the classical music world, a compelling exhibition of ancient treasures from the Middle East, and an exciting contemporary twist on a Shakespearean masterpiece.
These events begin what is a packed and creative season featuring works by a variety of artists spanning many centuries, cultures and disciplines. The result is a calendar with literally something for every arts lover, from stage to screen to gallery.
PERFORMING ARTS SERIES MUSIC
The Performance Arts Series musical offerings begin with the Sept. 15 free concert by the Tokyo String Quartet in Mead Chapel. The chamber ensemble has more than three decades of powerful performances to its credit. This performance is made possible by the Institute for Clinical Science and Art, established by the late Dr. F. William Sunderman of Philadelphia.
On Oct. 13, pianist Paul Lewis returns for the first of four recitals this season as he continues his epic journey through the entire collection of Beethoven sonatas. Middlebury’s Concert Hall in the Center for the Arts is the only American stop on Lewis’ tour. His other concerts are in January, March and May, when he will conclude this virtuosic endeavor begun in 2005 through the Performing Arts Series.
Legendary pianist Krystian Zimerman will visit for a rare concert on Oct. 25. A master on the international performing and recording scene for 30 years, Zimerman limits his concerts to a handful each year. His visit to the Middlebury Concert Hall stage promises to be rewarding.
The exhibit’s curator, archaeology professor Richard Zettler of the University of Pennsylvania, will present a free slideshow and lecture on the exhibition’s opening day. He will discuss Sir Leonard Woolley’s excavations and discoveries at Ur depicted in this extraordinary collection.
For a more modern perspective on Iraq’s treasures, John Russell, professor of art history and archeology at Massachusetts College of Art, will share a free slide lecture on Oct. 7 in the Center for the Arts titled, “Preserving Iraq’s Past: Perils and Prospects.” An expert on ancient Mesopotamia, Russell was the senior civilian in the Coalition Provisional Authority in Baghdad working with the Iraq Museum to recover looted antiquities in 2003 and 2004.
Two thrillers on the schedule are particularly noteworthy: “Caché” on Sept. 23 and “Paradise Now” on Jan 27. “Caché” is a French-Austrian film that won Best Film in the 2005 European Film Awards. It centers on a television talk show host and his wife living a seemingly perfect life of modern comfort that is interrupted by menacing videotapes arriving on their doorstep. It is filmed in French with English subtitles.
“Paradise Now” is a timely 2005 film focusing on the last days of two Palestinian friends who have been recruited for a terrorist strike on Tel Aviv. They are intercepted at the Israeli border and they reconsider their plan when discovered by a young woman. This thriller is filmed in Arabic with English subtitles.
On Nov. 18, the series shows the 2005 German film “Sophie Scholl - The Final Days,” a documentary of the final six days of a young activist’s life in Nazi Germany based on historical records. Filmed in German with English subtitles, this film received awards including Best Picture and Best Actress from the German Film Awards, and an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film.
Films in the series are free and shown twice on Saturdays - at 3 p.m. and at 8 p.m. - in Dana Auditorium in Sunderland Language Center on College Street (Route 125).
TICKETS, PROGRAM AND OTHER INFORMATION
Performing Arts Series tickets are $15 for regular admission and $12 for seniors. Department events are $5 for regular admission and $4 for seniors. Many events are free. Pre-performance dinners for select engagements are held at Rehearsals Cafe in the Center for the Arts.
Information; dinner reservations; tickets for all music, theatre and dance performances; a free color 2006-2007 Middlebury College arts calendar and the free quarterly newsletter, “Arts at Middlebury College,” are all available through the college’s box office at 802-443-6433 or www.middlebury.edu/arts. The box office opens on Monday, Sept. 11, for Middlebury College students, faculty, staff, alumni and other ID card holders; and on Monday, Sept. 18, for the general public. Patrons may also sign up for sign up for Middlebury College Arts Mail - an information service that delivers e-mail updates on arts and cultural events. Museum exhibition information is available at 802-443-5007 or at www.middlebury.edu/arts/museum. Open Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 12 p.m.-5 p.m., the museum is located in the Center for the Arts. Admission is free.