Performing Arts Series

Nobuntu, the dazzling female a cappella quintet from Zimbabwe, has drawn international acclaim for its inventive performances that range from traditional Mbube songs to Afro Jazz and Gospel. The ensemble’s concerts are performed with pure voices, augmented by minimalistic percussion, traditional instruments such as the Mbira, and organic, authentic dance movements. Their traditional Mbube songs (mostly in native languages) center around family, work, faith, and home, and are affirming, authentic, and celebratory.

Performance subject to change.

Extraordinary Vermont-based cellist and composer Zoë Keating continues our cello celebration with a contemporary lens. A one-woman orchestra, she uses a cello and a foot-controlled laptop to record layer upon layer of cello, creating intricate, haunting, and compelling music. Keating has a devoted global audience and her self-released albums have reached #1 several times on the iTunes classical chart. She has composed music for ballet, theater, film, and radio and lends her music regularly to film, tv, dance productions, and commercials.

Hailing from historic County Waterford, Danú is one of the leading traditional Irish ensembles of today. Their standing-room only concerts throughout Ireland are true events featuring high-energy performances and a glorious mix of ancient Irish music and new repertoire. Danú’s virtuosi players on flute, tin whistle, fiddle, button accordion, bouzouki, and vocals (Irish and English), have performed around the globe and recorded seven critically acclaimed albums. Their Middlebury debut program is sure to warm your spirits in advance of St. Patrick’s Day.

Conference of the Birds is an evening-length, multi-media movement theater work inspired by the epic poem of Farid Ud din Attar, embodying modern-day stories of migration. Attar’s The Conference of the Birds is the tale of a group of birds that set off in search of a mythical being, the Simurgh. Many of the birds abandon the quest. When the remaining birds arrive in the land of the Simurgh, they find themselves reflected—they are the very deity they seek.

Conference of the Birds is an evening-length, multi-media movement theater work inspired by the epic poem of Farid Ud din Attar, embodying modern-day stories of migration. Attar’s The Conference of the Birds is the tale of a group of birds that set off in search of a mythical being, the Simurgh. Many of the birds abandon the quest. When the remaining birds arrive in the land of the Simurgh, they find themselves reflected—they are the very deity they seek.

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.

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.

One hundred years ago this week, The Middlebury Campus headline read “Casals Captivates Large Audience: World’s Greatest Cellist Plays in Chapel,” when famed Catalan cellist Pablo Casals appeared during our Performing Arts Series’ third season.  Sophie Shao’s 2022 concert will kick off our yearlong celebration of Casals and the cello.

“A Standing Witness: Artistic Discussion with Rita Dove, Richard Danielpour, and members of Music from Copland House,” a pre-recorded conversation from our friends at UChicago Presents.

Pre-concert lecture with Professor of Music Larry Hamberlin.

Professor Hamberlin’s lecture will be streamed on our Facebook page. It will stay on the page through the remainder of the evening.

Vaccinations and masks required. Additional health and safety information here. Performance subject to change.

Accessibility Services information here.