Performing Arts Series

Performed by Bedlam; directed by Eric Tucker

He is a dark, enigmatic prince obsessed with seeking revenge for his father’s death. She is a steadfast rebel who challenged the powers of the church to restore France to greatness. Iconic figures from two great dramatic classics— Shakespeare’s Hamlet (Friday) and Shaw’s Saint Joan (Saturday)—are brought vividly to life in riveting, stripped-down stagings by four actors from the acclaimed New York theatre company Bedlam. Tickets: $28/22/6

Performed by Bedlam; directed by Eric Tucker

He is a dark, enigmatic prince obsessed with seeking revenge for his father’s death. She is a steadfast rebel who challenged the powers of the church to restore France to greatness. Iconic figures from two great dramatic classics— Shakespeare’s Hamlet (Friday) and Shaw’s Saint Joan (Saturday)—are brought vividly to life in riveting, stripped-down stagings by four actors from the acclaimed New York theatre company Bedlam. Tickets: $28/22/6

For three decades, Music From China has been at the crossroads of East and West, and has carved a unique place in the music world by playing not only traditional repertoire, but the latest in contemporary works as well. Critics have praised the ensemble as “musicians of extraordinary accomplishment and sensitivity, performing sophisticated, involving music” (Kansas City Star). No strangers to Middlebury, Music From China last performed on the series in 1999, and are frequent visitors to the Summer Language Schools.

Hailed by the Washington Post as “one of the best quartets before the public today,” the Danish String Quartet has established a reputation for integrated sound, impeccable intonation, and judicious balance. Their Middlebury debut program includes Bartók’s first quartet, Beethoven’s first Razumovsky quartet, and arrangements of traditional Nordic folk tunes. A Nelson Series event. Reserved seating. Tickets: $28/22/6

Hailing from Burkina Faso, the Dafra Kura Band fuses the high energy of the griot ancestral tradition and the contemporary sounds of modern African cities sourced from Manding tradition, nomad desert blues, and Afrobeat. Hear the band shine solo before their performances with Baker & Tarpaga Dance Project later in the week. Olivier Tarpaga, artistic director.

Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Caroline Shaw caps her Middlebury residency with an evening of her music, in collaboration with Middlebury College vocal students. In addition to being the youngest-ever winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Music, Shaw sings with the Grammy-award winning vocal ensemble Roomful of Teeth, plays violin with the American Contemporary Music Ensemble, scored the soundtrack for the feature film To Keep the Light, and has collaborated with Kanye West. Sponsored by the Rothrock Family Residency Fund, Ross Commons, Chellis House, and the Department of Music. Free.

Cellist David Finckel and pianist Wu Han are not only “chamber music’s busy power couple”(New York Times) but also two of Middlebury’s most frequent and beloved performers. In this video presentation, they’ve invited us into their Westchester home for a French-inspired program of cello sonatas by Saint-Saëns and Franck. Special commentary by the artists and a surprise encore included. Part of our 2022 celebration of the cello.

Concert program:

Camille Saint-Saëns, Sonata no. 1 in C Minor for Cello and Piano, Op. 32 (1872)

The great Catalan cellist Pablo Casals (1876–1973) stands alone as arguably the most influential and universally revered instrumentalist of all time. He was first cellist in history to recognize Bach’s Six Solo Suites as great music, and the first to record them. This was only one of the musical milestones of this extraordinary man, who not only dominated cello playing for more than half a century, but also served as an uncompromising and indisputable voice of social conscience.

One of the most historied Shakespeare theatre companies in the world takes on the Bard’s comedic masterpiece, exploring two wildly different romances, each wrapped in secrets and trickery. Co-founded by Sir Patrick Stewart in 1975, Actors From The London Stage embraces theatrical simplicity at its finest. Five actors take the stage, with minimal props and costumes, and direct themselves in a performance of a complete Shakespeare play, with each actor portraying multiple roles.

We’re thrilled to welcome back the acclaimed Takács Quartet, long-time friends of the Performing Arts Series and “one of the world’s greatest string quartets” (The New York Times) for their 27^th appearance at Middlebury. For this unique collaborative concert, the Takács will be joined by Julien Labro, one of the foremost accordion and bandoneon players in both the classical and jazz worlds. His artistry, virtuosity, and creativity as a musician, composer, and arranger have earned him international acclaim.