Performing Arts Series

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.

Pre-concert lecture by Professor of Music Larry Hamberlin.

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

Accessibility Services information here.

At just 20 years old, jazz keyboardist Matthew Whitaker is a once-in-a-generation musical talent. He’s been performing across the globe since age eleven, opening for Stevie Wonder at the Apollo Theater. At a tender 13, Whitaker was the youngest artist to be endorsed by Hammond organs and was soon named a Yamaha Artist, becoming the youngest musician to join their stellar roster of jazz pianists.

Middlebury is honored to present the New England premiere of A Standing Witness,* written by Grammy-winning composer Richard Danielpour and Pulitzer Prize-winning author and former U.S.