Performing Arts Series

The acclaimed Brentano String Quartet—hailed as “passionate, uninhibited, and spellbinding” (The Independent, London)—returns to Middlebury, this time joined by five-time Grammy Award-winning soprano Dawn Upshaw. The Brentano Quartet plays Haydn’s Op. 20 No. 2 and Bartók’s second quartet, then joins Upshaw for performances of Schoenberg’s second quartet and Respighi’s Il Tramonto (The Sunset). A Nelson Series event. Reserved seating. Tickets: $30/25/10/6

100th Anniversary matinee concert! 

On this day in 1919, lutenist and balladeer Thomas Wilfred presented a dramatic recital of ancient songs as the series’ first-ever performance.  The Heath Quartet helps us celebrate this anniversary with a bonus lunchtime recital, featuring a sneak preview of selections the quartet will perform in its debut at the Elbphilharmonie, in Hamburg, Germany the following week. This is a great chance to hear the quartet reach beyond Beethoven into contemporary music. Free, no tickets required

As an Iraqi immigrant to the United States, oud virtuoso and composer Rahim AlHaj uses his musical talents to spread hope and peace. AlHaj—a  two time Grammy-nominee—joins Iranian santur player Sourena Sefati and Palestinian-American percussionist Issa Malluf in a concert of Middle Eastern music demonstrating friendship, understanding, and an acknowledgement of humanity’s oneness as we all try to live in peace under the same sky.  A Performing Arts Series event. Tickets: $22 General public/$16 Midd ID holders/$10 Youth (18 and under)/$6 Midd students.

Called a “national theatrical treasure” by the Philadelphia Inquirer, L.A. Theatre Works presents the riveting documentary play SEVEN. Written by seven female writers, it’s based on personal interviews with seven remarkable women who faced life-threatening obstacles—resistance, death threats, entrenched norms, and pervasive violence—yet later brought heroic changes to their home countries of Pakistan, Nigeria, Ireland, Afghanistan, Guatemala, Russia, and Cambodia.

Called a “national theatrical treasure” by the Philadelphia Inquirer, L.A. Theatre Works presents the riveting documentary play SEVEN. Written by seven female writers, it’s based on personal interviews with seven remarkable women who faced life-threatening obstacles—resistance, death threats, entrenched norms, and pervasive violence—yet later brought heroic changes to their home countries of Pakistan, Nigeria, Ireland, Afghanistan, Guatemala, Russia, and Cambodia.

To mark Nordic Music Days 2019, George Matthew, Middlebury Carillonneur, plays a recital that includes a new piece by Middlebury alumna Ellen Lindquist ‘93, entitled The Sacredness of Trees. This piece will be performed on the same day on the carillon of the Cathedral in Bødo, on all other carillons in Norway, and on many carillons worldwide.

Described as “one of the leading figures in the current renaissance of performer-composers” by the New York Times, pianist Michael Brown is the winner of both Lincoln Center’s 2018 Emerging Artist Award and a 2015 Avery Fisher Career Grant. He makes regular appearances with orchestras and festivals across the U.S. and was selected by pianist András Schiff to perform an international solo recital tour.

Celebrating 20 years of music making, the Grammy-nominated Imani Winds have led both a revolution and the evolution of the wind quintet. Their dynamic playing, adventurous programming, imaginative collaborations, and commitment to education have inspired audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Though their playlist embraces traditional chamber music repertoire, they also reach forward into the 21st century, expanding the wind quintet repertoire by commissioning music from new voices that reflect both historical events and present times.

Now entering its 25th season, the Jerusalem Quartet earned praise from the Times, London: “Passion, precision, warmth, a gold blend: these are the trademarks of this excellent Israeli string quartet.” We are thrilled to present the quartet’s Middlebury debut on Fall Family Weekend, performing quartets by Beethoven, Ravel, and Shostakovich. A Nelson Series event. Reserved seating. Tickets: $28/22/10/6

The Middlebury Performing Arts Series presents Avery Fisher Prize-winning clarinetist David Shifrin, one of only two wind players to have been awarded the prestigious prize since the award’s inception in 1974. Shifrin is in constant demand worldwide as an orchestral soloist, recitalist, and chamber music collaborator. In this virtual concert, he’ll perform works by Mozart, Bassi, and Duke Ellington. Fun fact: Duke Ellington performed on Middlebury’s Performing Arts Series in 1960.