The program begins with the great masters of the German tradition, Mozart and Beethoven, then veers off to represent the man who challenged their hegemony and forged his own exotic, shimmering path -- Maurice Ravel. Creating totally new sonorities, and contemporary rhythms based on archaic Mediterranean and Basque dances, his groundbreaking Piano Trio is like a Picasso painting in music. Brimming with ardor and ecstasy, it's the modern that returns to primitive. An all-star line-up includes two brilliant top-prize winners of the Tchaikovsky and Arthur Rubinstein International competitions.

Itamar Zorman, violin
Roman Rabinovich, piano
Yehuda Hanani, cello

Boston Early Music Festival presents Almira, the first opera by the celebrated and beloved Baroque composer George Frideric Handel, in its first fully staged and historically-conceived production in modern times.

Written when Handel was only 19, Almira tells a story of intrigue and romance in the court of the Queen of Castile, in a dazzling parade of entertainment and delight, which Handel would often borrow from during his later career. One of the world's leading Handel scholars, Professor Ellen T. Harris of MIT, has said that BEMF is the "perfect and only" organization to take on Handel's earliest operatic masterpiece, as it requires BEMF's unique collection of artistic talents: the musical leadership, precision, and expertise of BEMF Artistic Directors Paul O'Dette and Stephen Stubbs; the stimulating and informed stage direction and magnificent production designs of BEMF Stage Director in Residence Gilbert Blin; "the world's finest continuo team"; the highly skilled BEMF Baroque Dance Ensemble to bring to life Almira's substantial dance sequences; the all-star BEMF Orchestra; and a wide range of superb voices.

Starring in the title role of Almira and making her Boston Early Music Festival debut, will be soprano Veronica Cangemi. The Argentinean singer began her musical career as the principal 'cellist of her hometown symphony before winning Argentina's National Singing Competition and the Francisco Vinas Contest in Barcelona. With Amanda Forsythe, Colin Balzer, Christian Immler, Zachary Wilder, Tyler Duncan, Ulrike Hofbauer, and Jason McStoots.

This lush, innovative and truly breathtaking production promises a rare glimpse at a very different Handel from the wealthy London virtuoso so familiar to modern audiences.

Aston Magna makes a special appearance at the Mahaiwe in this dynamic program with soprano extraordinaire Dominique Labelle and the combined forces of Laura Jeppesen, viola da gamba; Catherine Liddell, theorbo; and Josh Cohen, baroque trumpet; with an orchestra led by Daniel Stepner.

Two grand works of J.S. Bach - the second Brandenburg concerto and the cantata Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen - will be paired with the gamba music of Marin Marais, featured in the award-winning film Tous Les Matins du Monde.

We invite you to a free pre-concert lecture by Daniel Stepner at 7pm, and to "Meet the Artists" following the performance.

Michael Cassin, director of the Clark's Center for Education in the Visual Arts, discusses Winslow Homer: Making Art, Making History, the museum's summer exhibition. Winslow Homer's work encompasses a wide variety of themes and techniques. His early designs for Harper's Weekly illustrations and his later watercolors, prints and oil paintings explore, in different ways, the lives of his contemporaries and the splendor -- and power -- of the natural world.

image: Winslow Homer, Undertow, 1886. Oil on canvas. The Clark

A wonderful event perfect for all movie buffs and food lovers!

Film buff, cultural historian and author of MOVIE MENUS dishes amusing tidbits on the meaning of food in our favorite films. Behind the scenes peeks at foodie film moments in such classics as Big Night, Babette's Feast, and Animal House. See hilarious film clips including Five Easy Pieces in which Jack Nicholson may be the first in celluloid history to have an order prepared "your way."

Presented by Sohn Fine Art as part of its Master Artist Series (MAS) program, master photographer Greg Gorman will present an inside look at his 40 year career as an analog and digital photographer in the world of celebrity. Accompanying this discussion, Gorman will present a visual presentation of his imagery. Included will be his award winning motion picture campaigns, a spanning look at his celebrity portraits and nudes, a commercial body of work called "We The People", as well as images from his two most recent books "Framed" and "In Their Youth". Each of Gorman's photographs portrays a picture of human nature in its infinite range. A true master with lighting and composition, Gorman's strength also lies in his charismatic ability to get his subjects to open up to him, thereby creating a rare opportunity for the viewer to see the unique qualities of that person, as well as share a special, and often private, moment that Gorman has captured. In closing, Gorman will discuss the pursuit of his current passions for wine and education. A book signing of his two most recent books will be held after the presentation.

Greg Gorman just received the 2013 Professional Photographers of America (PPA) Lifetime Achievement Award. His exceptional career is currently being highlighted in a 40 year retrospective exhibition touring museums throughout Europe. In conjunction with this presentation, an intimate selection of Gorman's works from his retrospective show will be on view at Sohn Fine Art Gallery (6 Elm Street, Stockbridge, MA) July 5 - September 30, 2013, with an opening reception on Saturday, July 20, 2013 from 4 - 8pm. Gorman will also be teaching two photography workshops through Sohn Fine Art, "Mastering Portraits" and "Nudes". All of these events are made possible through Sohn Fine Art's Master Artist Series Program, whose core mission is to contribute to the cultural vitality of the Berkshires by promoting broader understanding of and community engagement with photographic mediums through exhibitions, lectures and workshops by world class photographers.



photo credit: Greg Gorman; Andy Warhol, Los Angeles, 1986. (c) Greg Gorman.

Explore the Berkshires most fabulous foodie destinations all without leaving the Mahaiwe Theater.

Discover restaurant hot spots and the best farmers markets and gourmet shops. Learn about the many fabulous artisan foods made locally including cheeses, sweets and breads. Meet the folks behind Barrington Coffee Roasting Co, Berkshire Bark, Biscotti Babies, Berkshire Blue, Berkshire Mountain Bakery and more.

Receive detailed maps with locations and list of must-try foods so you can explore on your own.

Besides learning why folks back in the 1500s clinked glasses to make a toast you'll discover the reasons they never put a vase of flowers or their elbows on the table, wouldn't eat with forks and why "4 and 20 blackbirds" really were baked in a pie.



The talk is sprinkled with tempting tidbits on the fanciful foods and aphrodisiacs, intriguing table manners, etiquette and unusual dining customs, like telling of the amusing jokes, puns, and riddles between courses.

The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center announces a unique summer event in the Berkshires:

Author of OPERA LOVER'S COOKBOOK discusses the fascinating role of food in opera using amusing film snippets and stills of memorable dining and toasting moments in opera. 



Discover tantalizing trivia like the operatic origins of Melba Toast, why Rossini added special "sorbet arias" to his operas and why great composers such as Verdi encouraged gambling during performances.



The talk concludes with a humorous look back at the opera theater experience in the 19th century and a tasting of opera inspired foods.

Great music and great food make an exhilarating duet!

An amusing lecture on the fascinating time period when high society was at its peak.

A time of calling cards, horse drawn coaches, high tea, cotillions, lawn parties, formal dinners - a time when even picnics were served on fine china.

Discover the sorts of foods, elaborate etiquette, and enchanting entertainments enjoyed then. Francine's vivid descriptions of formal dinner parties, cotillions, and elegant picnics will transport you back in time.

Learn the 19th century meanings of giving a lady a tulip instead a rose; discover the most popular toasts of the 1890s; and when it was proper to remove your gloves or tip your hat.

Highlights of the talk include:
- Trivia contest on the uses for dozens of unique but now-obsolete objects from the era
- Tastings of a popular 19th century tidbits
- Handouts of unique recipes of the era
- Demonstrations on creating 19th century garnishes