Berkshire Opera Festival stages Mozart’s Don Giovanni
GREAT BARRINGTON— On August 20, 23, and 26, Berkshire Opera Festival‘s 2022 season culminates with a new staging by BOF co-founder Jonathon Loy of Mozart’s comedy-tragedy masterpiece Don Giovanni at the historic, intimate Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington. BOF Artistic Director and co-founder Brian Garman will conduct the Berkshire Opera Festival Orchestra and Chorus.
Don Giovanni, often considered to be Mozart’s greatest work, is based on the legend of Don Juan and tells the story of antihero Giovanni’s slow demise. Stage Director Jonathon Loy says: “This production of Giovanni is not defined by place or a time period. We will be forced to see inside the depths of Giovanni’s soul for what he truly is, a devastatingly flawed, lecherous man who yields great influence over his surroundings. Through the addition of dance we’ll take the journey with Giovanni as he makes his way to the depths of hell, as he tries to take everyone down with him.”
This production was originally scheduled for the 2020 fifth anniversary season, but was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In a quick pivot, the cast collaborated on a virtual concert recorded in their homes and studios, which streamed in August 2020. The majority of this original cast returns
André Courville makes his Berkshire Opera Festival debut in the lead role of Don Giovanni. Courville is a rising star in the opera world and has been praised by Opera News for his “splendid, lush bass-baritone.”
Preceding the August 20 matinee is a free pre-performance talk with dramaturg Cori Ellison at 12 p.m. (11:45 a.m. doors) for all ticket holders.
Tickets for each of the three performances start at $20, and can be purchased on the Mahaiwe website.
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“Elizabeth Freeman and the Telling of Black Stories”
SHEFFIELD— On Friday August 19 at 4 p.m., The W. E. B. Du Bois Center for Freedom and Democracy will present a roundtable discussion on the life and legacy of Elizabeth Freeman, the first enslaved African American to successfully sue for her freedom in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Freeman never had an opportunity to tell her own story publicly, and subsequent interpretation has largely been shaped by descendants of her white employers, with a focus on her years as their “devoted servant.” In this roundtable, historians Dr. Kerri Greenidge, Dr. Sari Edelstein, Dr. Kendra T. Field, and Dr. Frances Jones Sneed will engage with the realities of Freeman’s complex story and use it as an entryway into a larger conversation about stories, silences, and the ethics of African American public history.
The roundtable discussion will take place at Dewey Hall and be followed by a reception. For details, visit www.duboisfreedomcenter.org.
The roundtable is the first in a series of events honoring Elizabeth Freeman’s journey to freedom to take place in Sheffield this weekend. For the full schedule of events go to: https://sheffieldhistory.weebly.com/elizabeth-freeman-monument.html
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Measure for Measure opens at the Tina Packer Playhouse
LENOX– Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure will be staged at the Tina Packer Playhouse at the Shakespeare & Company campus from August 19 through September 18. Performances on August 19 and 20 are previews, and the opening performance is on August 21.
Directed by Alice Reagan, Measure for Measure follows Lord Angelo, abruptly appointed to rule over a chaotic and debauched city to restore order with repressive laws and an iron fist over licentiousness. The object of his own twisted desire is a young nun, whom he puts in an unthinkable position. “To whom should I complain?” is all that young Isabella can utter when she finds herself the target of his abuse of power.
Tickets for the performances start at $22, and can be purchased online.
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Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women seeks candidates
BOSTON– The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women is currently seeking candidates for the Berkshire County Commission on the Status of Women, one of 11 Regional Commissions across the Commonwealth that strives to represent women and girls in the areas of equality and opportunity.
The mission of the Berkshire County Commission on the Status of Women (BCCSW) is to provide a permanent, influential voice for women and girls across Berkshire County that facilitates and fosters community and inclusiveness. The Commission stands for fundamental freedoms, basic human rights, and the full enjoyment of life for all women and girls throughout their lives.
BCCSW represents all towns and cities in Berkshire County, including Adams, Alford, Becket, Cheshire, Clarksburg, Dalton, Egremont, Florida, Great Barrington, Hancock, Hinsdale, Lanesborough, Lee, Lenox, Mount Washington, New Ashford, New Marlborough, North Adams, Otis, Peru, Pittsfield, Richmond, Sandisfield, Savoy, Stockbridge, West Stockbridge, Williamstown, and Windsor.
To apply for the Berkshire County Commission on the Status of Women and to submit a resume, please visit: Berkshire County Commission on the Status of Women | Mass.gov. For questions regarding this opportunity, please contact Tina Games, Regional Commissions Director: Tina.Games@mass.gov.
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Jewish Federation hosts ecological programs
PITTSFIELD / LENOX– The Jewish Federation of the Berkshires will host two upcoming programs with the Berkshire Natural Resources Council (BNRC): a presentation on Thursday, August 18 and a nature walk on Thursday, August 25.
On August 18, learn about the work of the BNRC, its mission to preserve and protect the natural beauty and ecological integrity of the Berkshires for public benefit. BNRC staff will highlight The High Road, which is a long-term initiative to make connections from towns to trails along with clusters of conservation land, allowing hikers to explore the scenic Berkshires. The event will start at 10:45 a.m and will be held at Knesset Israel in Pittsfield.
On August 25, join BNRC staff for a nature walk at scenic Parson’s Marsh, near Tanglewood (170 Under Mountain Road in Lenox). The event will begin at 10:45 a.m.
The free program on August 18 will be presented in person as part of the Federation’s “Connecting with Community” Series and will be followed by a kosher hot lunch. Lunch is a $3 suggested donation for adults over 60 years of age or $7 for all others. Reservations are required for lunch and can be made by calling (413) 442-2200 before 9 a.m. on the day of the program. Knesset Israel is at 16 Colt Road in Pittsfield.
For more on this program and other Federation events, visit our calendar of events at jewishberkshires.org.
