Performing Arts Series

Small Island Big Song is a multi-platform project uniting the seafaring cultures of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, a region at the frontline of the climate crisis. Indigenous artists come together with filmmakers and poets to present irresistible oceanic grooves and soulful island ballads collected across 16 countries, all guided by the artists on their respective islands. Experience the concert event that Billboard calls “one coherent jaw-dropping piece.”

The dynamic and charismatic Heath Quartet—our series’ first quartet-in-residence—is one of the most exciting British chamber ensembles of the moment, steadily building a reputation for their upbeat and integrated sound. We celebrate our 20th year of support from the Sunderman Family Concert Fund with this free concert, including works by Bach, Haydn, Henriette Bosmans, and Erick Korngold. 

Applauded by the New York Times for her “eloquent, powerful” interpretations, cellist Sophie Shao has a gift for assembling impromptu chamber ensembles that are brimming with passion and talent. If you’ve never heard her play before, or if you’re a veteran of her concerts, you’ll realize why no season is complete without one of her marvelous performances! The concert program will include Messiaen’s Quartet for The End of Time, and Vermont composer David Ludwig’s Spiral Galaxy.

The 2023 Grammy-nominated British vocal ensemble VOCES8 inspires people through their music and by sharing their joy of singing. Versatility and a celebration of diverse musical expression are central to the ensemble’s performance and education ethos. Their performances are praised for their meticulous timing and tuning, impressive blend, and radiant sound. VOCES8’s Vermont debut program, entitled “20 Songs from 20 Years,” features beloved music from across the centuries and pieces by contemporary composers that the ensemble proudly calls friends.

Written and performed by Rachel Mars. Award-winning theatre maker Rachel Mars performs a gloriously rude new solo show that unearths the hot-as-hell letters that make sexts blush. Before sexts there were hand-written letters—and loads of them were properly filthy. With the help of the internet, friends, and two sexologists, Mars has unearthed missives dating back centuries.

Written and performed by Rachel Mars. Award-winning theatre maker Rachel Mars performs a gloriously rude new solo show that unearths the hot-as-hell letters that make sexts blush. Before sexts there were hand-written letters—and loads of them were properly filthy. With the help of the internet, friends, and two sexologists, Mars has unearthed missives dating back centuries.

The Middlebury Performing Arts Series proudly presents Le Consort on their North American debut tour. In a program entitled “A Journey Through Baroque Europe,” Le Consort travels through Italy, England, Germany, and France, illustrating the immense expressive range and creativity of Bach, Vivaldi, Corelli, Purcell, Rameau, and others.

 

Now in their 49th season and “the Takács Quartet remains one of the greatest chamber string ensembles we have on the world stage.” (Scherzo magazine) Finally we can present their entire Bartók string quartet cycle (over two concerts), delayed from our 100th anniversary season in 2020. This ensemble has always had a particular association with Béla Bartók, the great 20th-century Hungarian composer whose six quartets are among the pinnacles of 20th-century chamber music.

Now in their 49th season and “the Takács Quartet remains one of the greatest chamber string ensembles we have on the world stage.” (Scherzo magazine) Finally we can present their entire Bartók string quartet cycle (over two concerts), delayed from our 100th anniversary season in 2020. This ensemble has always had a particular association with Béla Bartók, the great 20th-century Hungarian composer whose six quartets are among the pinnacles of 20th-century chamber music.

This sonically-innovative harpist is revolutionizing her instrument for the digital era. Over the past 15 years, she has worked relentlessly to stretch boundaries and limitations for harpists. In 2022, she made history by becoming the first black woman to be nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition. That same year, she was also nominated for an NAACP Image Award. Her trio’s Vermont debut at Middlebury will include jazz standards and original works.