Performing Arts Series

Sophie Shao and Friends

7:30 PM

Perennial favorite cellist Sophie Shao returns to open our 105th season with an accomplished, all-female ensemble, performing a stunning program of sonatas and piano trios. Violinist Jennifer Frautschi and pianist Christina Dahl join Shao in an evening featuring Nadia Boulanger’s Three Pieces for Cello and Piano, Marguerite Canal’s Sonata for Violin and Piano, Peteris Vasks’ Castillo Interior (The Interior Castle), and Schubert’s beloved Piano Trio No. 1 in B-flat.

Mahaney Arts Center, Olin C. Robison Concert Hall

Open to the Public

$25/20/10/5; streaming tickets $15/5

BALA BILA

7:30 PM

BALA BILA brings together two African master musicians—Balla Kouyate on balafon, calabash, bass guitar, and voice, and Matchume Zango on timbila, mbira, percussion, and voice—in an intimate, living-room style concert and intercultural musical conversation between two extraordinary artists. Kouyate hails from the West African country of Mali, and Zango calls the East African nation of Mozambique home. They are leading exponents of their respective principal instruments, BALAfon and timBILA—two world heritage instruments that will be played together in harmony.

Mahaney Arts Center, Olin C. Robison Concert Hall

Open to the Public

$25/20/10/5

So Percussion with Caroline Shaw

7:30 PM

So Percussion has redefined chamber music through their commitment to the creation and amplification of new work. The ensemble is celebrated for a dazzling range of work: live performances, contributions to education and community, and the creation of opportunities and platforms for music and artists. In their Middlebury debut, they’ll collaborate with Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Caroline Shaw, featuring songs and highlights from their co-composed albums Let the Soil Play its Simple Part and Rectangles and Circumstance.

Mahaney Arts Center, Olin C. Robison Concert Hall

Open to the Public

$25/20/10/5

Pre-Concert Lecture: Jerusalem Quartet

6:15 PM

Learn more about this concert’s music in a free pre-concert lecture by Professor Emeritus of Music Larry Hamberlin.

Mahaney Arts Center 125

Open to the Public

Free

Jerusalem Quartet

7:30 PM

Celebrating its 30th season, the Jerusalem Quartet embodies the pinnacle of chamber music excellence, renowned worldwide for its passionate performances and impeccable precision. With a repertoire spanning the classical to contemporary, they captivate audiences with spellbinding interpretations, blending technical virtuosity with profound musical depth. The Jerusalem Quartet returns to Middlebury with a program of Haydn, Shostakovich, and Dvorák.

Mahaney Arts Center, Olin C. Robison Concert Hall

Open to the Public

$25/20/10/5

Sean Dorsey Dance "The Lost Art of Dreaming"

7:30 PM

Sean Dorsey is an Emmy Award-winning choreographer, dancer, writer, educator, and activist. Long recognized as the U.S.’ first acclaimed transgender modern dance choreographer, Dorsey brings his newest work—and his explicitly trans-positive pedagogy—for his Performing Arts Series debut. The Lost Art of Dreaming is a full-evening fusion of full-throttle dance, intimate storytelling, intricate costuming, and exquisite queer partnering, all performed with Sean Dorsey Dance’s signature technical precision, guts, and deep humanity.

Mahaney Arts Center Dance Theatre

Open to the Public

$25/20/10/5

Sean Dorsey Dance "The Lost Art of Dreaming"

7:30 PM

Sean Dorsey is an Emmy Award-winning choreographer, dancer, writer, educator, and activist. Long recognized as the U.S.’ first acclaimed transgender modern dance choreographer, Dorsey brings his newest work—and his explicitly trans-positive pedagogy—for his Performing Arts Series debut. The Lost Art of Dreaming is a full-evening fusion of full-throttle dance, intimate storytelling, intricate costuming, and exquisite queer partnering, all performed with Sean Dorsey Dance’s signature technical precision, guts, and deep humanity.

Mahaney Arts Center Dance Theatre

Open to the Public

$25/20/10/5

Bria Skonberg Jazz Quintet

7:30 PM

New York based, Canadian born musician Bria Skonberg stormed onto the jazz scene with her smoky vocals, blistering trumpet, and compelling compositions and arrangements. She’s been described as one of the “most versatile and imposing musicians of her generation” by the Wall Street Journal. Skonberg sold out our hall almost a decade ago, and returns to Middlebury just in time for the holidays with a new program entitled “Jingle Bell Swing,” featuring her take on seasonal favorites including her hit cover of “All I Want For Christmas is You.”

Mahaney Arts Center, Olin C. Robison Concert Hall

Open to the Public

$25/20/10/5

Choral Chameleon Ensemble

7:30 PM

Choral Chameleon is a dynamic ensemble renowned for their innovative programming and fearless exploration of vocal artistry. Sometimes called “America’s Test Kitchen for choral music,” they fearlessly experiment and champion unexpected and new combinations of music. In demand since their recent sound bath and concert performances at Middlebury, Choral Chameleon returns to campus for a dynamic mixed-repertoire concert. See related event on January 22.

Mahaney Arts Center, Olin C. Robison Concert Hall

Open to the Public

$25/20/10/5

Choral Chameleon Ensemble

7:30 PM

Choral Chameleon deepens their campus connection with an exciting mixed-repertoire concert performed alongside Middlebury students, featuring a new work written just for Middlebury by Founding Artistic Director Vince Peterson. From classical masterpieces to contemporary compositions and cross-disciplinary collaborations, Choral Chameleon’s rich harmonies and adventurous spirit redefine what it means to experience choral music today, captivating audiences with a kaleidoscope of musical experiences and setting a vibrant standard in the world of vocal ensembles.

Mahaney Arts Center, Olin C. Robison Concert Hall

Open to the Public

August Wilson's "Two Trains Running" Presented by The Acting Company

7:30 PM

Play by August Wilson, performed by The Acting Company, directed by Lili-Anne Brown. From the writer of The Piano Lesson, Fences, and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom comes the story of Memphis Lee, a diner owner in Pittsburgh in 1969 who must decide if he should allow the government to take over his building or sell the property to a ruthless businessman.

Wright Theatre

Open to the Public

$25/20/10/5

Pre-Concert Lecture: Iyad Sughayer, Piano

6:15 PM

Learn more about this concert’s music in a free pre-concert lecture by Professor Emeritus of Music Larry Hamberlin.

Mahaney Arts Center 125

Open to the Public

Free

Iyad Sughayer, piano

7:30 PM

Acclaimed Jordanian-Palestinian pianist Iyad Sughayer embodies a captivating blend of exceptional skill and profound musicality. A prize-winner with the Young Classical Artists Trust (YCAT) International Auditions, he was named a ClassicFM Rising Star Artist, and “One to Watch” by International Piano Magazine. His performances traverse the gamut of classical repertoire with spellbinding precision and emotive depth, captivating audiences worldwide.

Mahaney Arts Center, Olin C. Robison Concert Hall

Open to the Public

$25/20/10/5

Isidore String Quartet

7:30 PM

Making their Middlebury debut, the Isidore String Quartet are winners of a 2023 Avery Fisher Career Grant and the 14th Banff International String Quartet Competition. Their concert program “Unrequited” explores the intersection of treasured classics and contemporary perspectives, providing a winding path into the complicated labyrinth that is human compassion and love, featuring works by Mozart, Beethoven, and Billy Childs. Thanks to the Sunderman Family Concert Endowment Fund, this concert is free and open to all.

Mahaney Arts Center, Olin C. Robison Concert Hall

Open to the Public

Free

Steven Osborne, Piano

7:30 PM

Pianist Steven Osborne, OBE is one of Britain’s most treasured musicians. His performances exude an immense depth of musicality and exceptional refinement of expression across diverse repertoire, be it in Beethoven or Messiaen, Schubert or Ravel, Prokofiev, or jazz improvisations. His many honors include The Royal Philharmonic Society’s Instrumentalist of the Year, two BBC Music Magazine Awards, and two Gramophone Awards.

Mahaney Arts Center, Olin C. Robison Concert Hall

Open to the Public

$25/20/10/5

Pre-Concert Lecture: Alina Ibragimova, Violin and Cedric Tiberghien, Piano

1:45 PM

Learn more about this concert’s music in a free pre-concert lecture by Professor Emeritus of Music Larry Hamberlin.

Mahaney Arts Center 125

Open to the Public

Free

Alina Ibragimova, Violin and Cédric Tiberghien, Piano

3:00 PM

We close our 105th season with the dynamic duo of violinist Alina Ibragimova and pianist Cédric Tiberghien. The two developed a tremendous rapport during their term as individual BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists, where their unique partnership was observed by The Times of London: “Both of these players have the potential to conquer the world.” During this Middlebury return, Ibragimova and Tiberghien will play Janácek, Enescu, Gerald Barry’s vivacious Triorchic Blues, and Beethoven’s iconic “Kreutzer” sonata.

Mahaney Arts Center, Olin C. Robison Concert Hall

Open to the Public

$25/20/10/5

Heath Quartet

2:00 PM

The dynamic and charismatic Heath Quartet—our series’ first quartet-in-residence—is one of the most exciting British chamber ensembles of the moment, steadily building a reputation for their upbeat and integrated sound. We celebrate our 20th year of support from the Sunderman Family Concert Fund with this free concert, including works by Bach, Haydn, Henriette Bosmans, and Erick Korngold. 

Mahaney Arts Center, Olin C. Robison Concert Hall

Open to the Public

Free

Sophie Shao and Friends

7:30 PM

Applauded by the New York Times for her “eloquent, powerful” interpretations, cellist Sophie Shao has a gift for assembling impromptu chamber ensembles that are brimming with passion and talent. If you’ve never heard her play before, or if you’re a veteran of her concerts, you’ll realize why no season is complete without one of her marvelous performances! The concert program will include Messiaen’s Quartet for The End of Time, and Vermont composer David Ludwig’s Spiral Galaxy.

Mahaney Arts Center, Olin C. Robison Concert Hall

Open to the Public

Tickets: $25/20/10/5

Pre-Concert Lecture: Sophie Shao and Friends

6:15 PM

Meet the composer! Learn more about the work “Spiral Galaxy” in a free pre-concert lecture by composer David Ludwig, Dean and Director of Music at the Juilliard School.

Mahaney Arts Center 125

Open to the Public

Free