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1 week ago | 
theberkshireedge.com | David Noel Edwards
Great Barrington — The full title is “Rappresentatione di anima et di corpo,” Italian for “Portrayal of the Soul and the Body.” Widely regarded as the first opera—or perhaps the first oratorio—it will be performed by the Crescendo Period Instrument Orchestra and vocal ensemble on Saturday, May 10, 6 p.m., at Trinity Church in Lakeville, Conn., and again on Sunday, May 11, 4 p.m., at Saint James Place in Great Barrington.
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1 week ago | 
theberkshireedge.com | David Noel Edwards
Great Barrington — If you don’t know who Del McCoury is, you are likely also unfamiliar with the high lonesome sound, Vince Gill’s bluegrass roots, the pioneering legacy of Bill Monroe, and the traditions of the Grand Ole Opry. But you can change all that at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center on May 10 at 7 p.m.—and you will be glad you did.
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1 week ago | 
theberkshireedge.com | David Noel Edwards
Great Barrington — No violinist on Earth is more conspicuously animated in performance than Ari Isaacman-Beck, first violinist of the Dali String Quartet, which brought both standard and contemporary works to life at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center on April 27. When things get hot and heavy, he just barely manages to stay in his chair.
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2 weeks ago | 
theberkshireedge.com | David Noel Edwards
Lenox — Cantilena Chamber Choir will give its season-ending performance on Sunday, May 4, at Trinity Church. Joining the group will be the award-winning youth choir from Boston Arts Academy, The Spirituals. Featuring prominently on Sunday’s program will be Ronald Perera’s “Golden Door,” a seven-movement cantata scored for speaker, SATB chorus, and chamber ensemble.
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2 weeks ago | 
theberkshireedge.com | David Noel Edwards
Great Barrington — Violinist Ronald Gorevic and harpsichordist Larry Wallach will present a free recital on Sunday, May 4, at 3 p.m., at the Kellogg Music Center on the campus of Bard College at Simon’s Rock. This performance will be the second and final concert in a series featuring six of J.S. Bach’s lesser-known sonatas. The program for Sunday is as follows:Sonata in G minor, BWV 1020Sonata no. 5 in F minor, BWV 1018Sonata no. 1 in B minor, BWV 1014Sonata no.
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2 weeks ago | 
theberkshireedge.com | David Noel Edwards
Lenox — If you were fortunate enough to hear the John Pizzarelli Big Band in December, then you have heard Isaiah J. Thompson play jazz piano at a mind-boggling level of excellence. Mr. Thompson shone so brightly as a member of Pizzarelli’s band that you longed to hear more of this young man’s playing.
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3 weeks ago | 
theberkshireedge.com | David Noel Edwards
Hudson, N.Y. — You needn’t know a thing about opera to love R.B. Schlather’s production of Handel’s “Giulio Cesare” (JOO-lyo CHAY-zah-reh), playing at Hudson Hall until May 2. Everything about this production delivers on director R.B. Schlather’s promise of a “wild ride packed with intrigue, danger, seduction, sharp wit, and gut-wrenching drama.” The staging—with cast members regularly descending a runway and mingling up close with the audience—keeps the focus squarely on the characters.
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3 weeks ago | 
theberkshireedge.com | David Noel Edwards
Great Barrington — Close Encounters with Music will present the Dali String Quartet performing a program of Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Morales-Matos, and Piazzolla on Sunday, April 27, at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center. All you need to know about the Dali String Quartet you can get in a few seconds by watching them perform a piece by Astor Piazzolla (or practically any other composer) on YouTube.
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3 weeks ago | 
theberkshireedge.com | David Noel Edwards
Great Barrington — The fabled vocal ensemble Chanticleer performed to a packed house at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center on Friday, April 11. Expectations were high—but not high enough. Over the course of 90 minutes, those familiar with the group’s trademark sound got a great deal more than they had hoped for—and it was all about the repertoire.
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4 weeks ago | 
theberkshireedge.com | David Noel Edwards
Hudson, New York — Following the auspicious success of 2023’s “Rodelinda,” R.B. Schlather’s ambitious all-Handel project continues apace. This month, he presents G.F. Handel’s most popular opera, “Giulio Cesare,” at New York State’s oldest surviving theater, Hudson Hall at the historic Hudson Opera House, April 19, 23 (matinee), 26, 27 (matinee), and 30 (matinee) and May 2. In October 2023, Schlather’s production of Handel’s “Rodelinda” drew this report from Berkshire Edge theater critic J.
