Performing Arts Series

The Vermont premiere of Legends of Kintamani—a new cello concerto by Middlebury Professor of Music Su Lian Tan—is a unique collaboration with the Digital Liberal Arts (DLA) Initiative, cellist Darrett Adkins, and the Burlington Chamber Orchestra (BCO) with guest conductor Evan Bennett. Accompanied by projection of large animated murals of mythical Bali produced by Middlebury students in the DLA Initiative’s Animation Studio, the five-movement storytelling form depicts a return to a more innocent time, where mythology and reality combine in fairy tales.

Although the Belcea Quartet was founded at the Royal College of Music in London over 20 years ago, they “still play like a young quartet, seizing the music’s energy, shocking us out of our seats with every fortissimo”—The Guardian. The quartet returns to perform a program of Brahms and Schubert quartets, including Death and the Maiden. This Performing Arts Series concert is made possible with generous support from Olin C. Robison. Reserved seating. Tickets: $25/20/6

Recognized worldwide as a pianist of virtuosity and poetic poise, Imogen Cooper has established her reputation as one of the finest interpreters of the classical repertoire. The Guardian of London described a recent performance as “playing of the greatest intelligence and musical integrity.” In her return to Middlebury, Cooper offers a program including Beethoven, Schumann, Debussy, and Albeniz. Pre-concert lecture by Professor of Music Greg Vitercik, 6:30 PM in Room 125. Sponsored by the Performing Arts Series. Reserved seating. Tickets: $25/20/6

Five-time Grammy-award winner, soprano Dawn Upshaw has achieved worldwide celebrity as a singer of opera and concert repertoire ranging from the sacred works of Bach to the freshest sounds of today. Her ability to reach to the heart of music and text has earned her both the devotion of an exceptionally diverse audience and the awards and honors accorded to only the most distinguished of artists. In Middlebury, she offers a traditional song recital with her regular duo partner, pianist Gil Kalish, singing a program of works by Ravel, Schubert, Bartók, Bolcom, and more.

Cellist Sophie Shao appears to have an exhaustive supply of supremely talented friends. She returns for her ninth consecutive season—this time with violinist Jennifer Frautschi, violist Dimitri Murrath, and pianist Gloria Chien—for an afternoon of chamber music including Beethoven’s C Minor string trio, Schumann’s Piano Trio No. 2, and Dvorak’s second piano quartet. Sponsored by the Performing Arts Series. Reserved seating. Tickets: $25/20/6

In addition to being beloved by our local audience, pianist Paul Lewis is internationally regarded as one of the leading musicians of his generation. Lewis makes his return to Middlebury with a mixed repertoire program including a Bach partita, Beethoven’s fourth piano sonata, three Chopin waltzes, and Weber’s Sonata No. 2. Sponsored by the Performing Arts Series. Reserved seating. Tickets: $25/20/6

The Performing Arts Series collaborates with the Bach Festival again this season—this time with a keyboard performance. Organist Nathan Laube treats audiences to a Bach program that celebrates Mead Chapel’s 45-year-old Gress-Miles organ. The Oberlin Review may have said it best: “The organ is indeed the king of instruments and Mr. Laube one of its supreme players.” Laube’s brilliant playing and gracious demeanor have thrilled audiences and presenters across the United States and in Europe. He offers a pre-concert lecture at 2:15 PM.

Named after the 19th-century German poet Christian Morgenstern, this young trio has been lauded by the Washington Post for “…a unanimity, polished technique, and musical imagination.” After only two short years working together, they burst onto the music scene, receiving top prizes and awards, including the prestigious Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio Award in 2010. In this, their Vermont debut, the trio plays works by Tailleferre, Ravel, and Vermont native Pierre Jalbert. Jalbert offers a pre-concert lecture at 6:30 PM in Room 125. Sponsored by the Performing Arts Series.

One of the finest musicians of her generation, Maria Joao Pires continues to transfix audiences with the spotless integrity, eloquence, and vitality of her art. Also a dedicated educator, she performs recitals with her most gifted piano students as part of her “Partitura Project,” designed to create an altruistic dynamic between artists of different generations.

Join Maree ReMalia / merrygogo for The Ubiquitous Mass of Us, an evening-length, escalating journey where nine performers from across artistic disciplines question the bounds of their identities. Moving in and around the set designed by visual artist Blaine Siegel, they explore the way they take up space. Watch them bare a broad range of physicality and newly discovered expressions to an original soundscore by David Bernabo. For all ages, seasoned performance goers, and those new to the theater. The artists offer a post-performance discussion both nights.