Performing Arts Series

Performing Arts Series PERFORMING ARTS SERIES

Dreamers' Circus

7:30 PM ET

Sponsored by:: Performing Arts Series

This young Danish trio is the new driving force in Nordic world music, hailed as contemporary and endlessly innovative in their approach. They draw inspiration from the deep traditions of Nordic folk music and reshape them into something bright, shiny, and new. The ensemble has won five prestigious Danish Music Awards and toured throughout Europe, Japan, Australia, the United States, and more. Featuring Nikolaj Busk on piano and accordion, Ale Carr on cittern, and violinist Rune Tonsgaard Sørensen of the Danish String Quartet.

Mahaney Arts Center, Olin C. Robison Concert Hall

Open to the Public

Lida Winfield Dance IMAGINARY

7:30 PM ET

Sponsored by:: Performing Arts Series

Mixing dance, theater, storytelling, and original music performed live, IMAGINARY is a quirky and innovative yet socially poignant work that explores perception in relationship to the imagination. The performance sifts through facts, allegations, and possibilities, bringing together the creative capacities of six amazing artists, many with Middlebury connections: Winfield, visiting assistant professor of dance; Matthew Evan Taylor, assistant professor of music; alumna Ellen Smith Ahern ’05; Joseph Hall; and former W. Mellon Interdisciplinary Choreographer Maree ReMalia.

Open to the Public

Lida Winfield Dance IMAGINARY

7:30 PM ET

Sponsored by:: Performing Arts Series

Open to the Public

Alexander Melnikov and Andreas Staier, Piano

7:30 PM ET

Sponsored by:: Performing Arts Series

Intensive chamber music collaborations have always been an essential part of renowned Russian pianist Alexander Melnikov’s work. For his fifth performance at Middlebury, he joins German pianist Andreas Staier—known for his exacting interpretations of keyboard music—to delight us with their all-Schubert program of four-hand works. Their Harmonia Mundi recording of this program has garnered prizes and accolades around the globe. A Nelson Series event, cosponsored by the members of the Performing Arts Series Society (PASS). Reserved seating. $30/25/10/6; PASS Members $22/16/8/5

Mahaney Arts Center, Olin C. Robison Concert Hall

Open to the Public

Manual Cinema, The End of TV

7:30 PM ET

Sponsored by:: Performing Arts Series

Using vintage overhead projectors, multiple screens, puppets, actors, live-feed cameras, multichannel sound design, and a live music ensemble, Manual Cinema transforms the experience of attending the movies into an immersive event created right before your eyes. The End of TV explores the two sides of the American Dream—its technicolor promise through TV advertising, and its failure witnessed in industrial decline. Stay to meet the performers on stage after the show. “This Chicago troupe is conjuring phantasms to die for.…”—New York Times. Tickets: $22/16/10/6

Wright Theatre

Open to the Public

Roomful of Teeth and Dublin Guitar Quartet

7:30 PM ET

Sponsored by:: Performing Arts Series

This collaborative concert features the Middlebury debuts of the Grammy-winning vocal ensemble Roomful of Teeth and the world-renowned Dublin Guitar Quartet. Together they perform the East Coast premiere of a new, intimate arrangement of Vermont native Nico Muhly’s How Little You Are. Originally commissioned in 2015 for three guitar quartets and massed choir, the work is based on texts written by pioneer women during the 19th century. In addition to this powerful 40-minute work, each ensemble also performs individual selections. A Nelson Fund event.

Mahaney Arts Center, Olin C. Robison Concert Hall

Open to the Public

Mark Padmore, Tenor; Paul Lewis, Piano

7:30 PM ET

Sponsored by:: Performing Arts Series

The art song “dream team” (New York Times) of British tenor Mark Padmore and compatriot pianist Paul Lewis comes to Middlebury with a stunning program of German lieder, including selections by Brahms, Mahler’s Rückert-Lieder, and Schumann’s Dichterliebe. “Music making of the highest order by two accomplished individuals who, when working together, create a force to be reckoned with.”—Classical Music Sentinel. A Nelson Series event, made possible with additional support from Performing Arts Series Society (PASS) members Marny and Rob Lichtenstein. Reserved seating. Tickets: $30/25/10/6

Mahaney Arts Center, Olin C. Robison Concert Hall

Open to the Public

David Finckel, cello and Wu Han, piano

7:30 PM ET

Sponsored by:: Performing Arts Series

We couldn’t celebrate the series’ 100th anniversary without including its most prolific artist, cellist David Finckel. For his 40th performance at Middlebury, Finckel joins his wife, acclaimed pianist Wu Han, in a program including Beethoven, Debussy, Mendelssohn, and Chopin.

Mahaney Arts Center, Olin C. Robison Concert Hall

Open to the Public

Christian Sands Trio

7:30 PM ET

Sponsored by:: Performing Arts Series

Five-time Grammy Award nominee and Steinway artist Christian Sands is an emerging jazz force to be reckoned with. His abundant piano technique perfectly matches his conception, accomplishing a much deeper musical goal: a fresh look at the entire language of jazz. “As far as piano trio sets go…no one else in the game can touch [Sands].”—New York Observer. Tickets: $28/22/10/6

Mahaney Arts Center, Olin C. Robison Concert Hall

Open to the Public

Cedric Tiberghien, Piano

7:30 PM ET

Sponsored by:: Performing Arts Series

This French pianist has established a truly international career. He has been particularly applauded for his versatility, as demonstrated by wide-ranging repertoire, interesting programming, and dynamic chamber music partnerships. In Middlebury, Tiberghien presents a program celebrating the 100th anniversary of the 1918 Armistice, featuring works composed during every year of the war—by composers from Poland (Szymanowski), Russia (Scriabin), Germany (Hindemith), France (Debussy), and England (Bridge)—including a work written for a pianist who lost his arm in battle. A Nelson Series event.

Mahaney Arts Center, Olin C. Robison Concert Hall

Open to the Public