Bach through the filter of Schumann, Mendelssohn, Brahms (the brilliant Chaconne arrangement for the left-hand piano) and Liszt, and unfiltered, in his own voice, in Suites and Partitas. Truly a composer for all seasons and for all times, Bach, like Shakespeare, emerges always relevant through different ages and treatments. Plus the world premiere of a new neo-Bach chamber piece commissioned by CEWM in homage to his magisterial presence.

Cordelia Hagemann, violin; James Tocco, piano; Yehuda Hanani, cello.

An active lecturer and teacher, Eyerly is on the faculty of The Juilliard School, where his Evening Division courses "Understanding Classical Music" and "Desert Island Opera" are in great demand. In February 2009, Eyerly created an online course about The Marriage of Figaro for OperaAmerica. Additionally he serves on the faculty of Saint Thomas Choir School. Since 2007 Eyerly has presented a popular lecture series before the Met Opera "Live in HD" Broadcasts at the Mahaiwe.

Castle Street Cafe will be open for lunch for those interested in taking advantage of their close proximity to the theater in the timeframe available between lecture and broadcast. Please phone them directly for reservations: 413-528-5244.

Running Time: 3 Hrs. 43 Min.

Marlis Petersen will sing the role of Ophelie in the first six performances of the Met's new production of Thomas's Hamlet. Petersen also sings the title role in Berg's Lulu this season at the Met on May 8 matinee, 12, and 15 matinee. The German soprano made her company debut as Adele in Die Fledermaus in 2005. She recently created the title role in the world premiere of Aribert Reimann's Medea at the Vienna State Opera, a performance that brought her enormous acclaim.

Hamlet, conducted by Louis Langree, also stars Simon Keenlyside in the title role, with Jennifer Larmore as Gertrude, Toby Spence as La‘rte, and James Morris as Claudius. The production marks the Met debuts of directors Patrice Caurier and Moshe Leiser. Simon Keenlyside and Marlis Petersen bring their extraordinary acting and singing skills to two of Shakespeare's unforgettable characters. When this production, directed by Patrice Caurier and Moshe Leiser, opened in London at Covent Garden, The Independent called Keenlyside's Hamlet, "a revelation - thrilling throughout." Petersen plays the volatile Ophelia, whose extended mad scene is among the greatest in opera. Louis Langree conducts.

Composer: Ambroise Thomas
Libretto by Michel Carre and Jules Barbier, based on the play by William Shakespeare

A second evening celebrating the Chopin 200th anniversary: From John Field, father of the Nocturne, who paved the way for Chopin's masterworks of the genre, to Hummel, whose music Chopin heard in Poland and whose concerti he played, to Auguste Franchomme, his cohort, and to the charismatic Paganini, a frequent collaborator, this program offers a spectrum of Chopin's friends and mentors as well as his sublimely poignant, swoon-inducing Ballades and Nocturnes. Adam Neiman, a latter-day Romantic, elicits lavish praise for his Chopin - "Playing of wisdom and light" - The Washington Post.

Adam Neiman, piano; Stefan Milenkovich, violin; Yehuda Hanani, cello; Amy Gillingham, cello.

An active lecturer and teacher, Eyerly is on the faculty of The Juilliard School, where his Evening Division courses "Understanding Classical Music" and "Desert Island Opera" are in great demand. In February 2009, Eyerly created an online course about The Marriage of Figaro for OperaAmerica. Additionally he serves on the faculty of Saint Thomas Choir School. Since 2007 Eyerly has presented a popular lecture series before the Met Opera "Live in HD" Broadcasts at the Mahaiwe.

Castle Street Cafe will be open for lunch for those interested in taking advantage of their close proximity to the theater in the timeframe available between lecture and broadcast. Please phone them directly for reservations: 413-528-5244.

Running Time: 4 Hrs. 19 Min.

Renee Fleming stars as Rossini's sorceress, opposite no fewer than six tenors. Mary Zimmerman returns to direct, bringing her fine-tuned theatricality to a work she describes as "a buried treasure, a box of jewels." The fanciful story of the sorceress who enthralls men in her island prison of sensual delights, Zimmerman says, "has an epic, enchanted quality and a tremendous visual element."

Composer: Gioachino Rossini
Libretto by Giovanni Schmidt, based on the epic poem Gerusalemme Liberata by Torquato Tasso

From the land of Franz Kafka, bucolic landscapes, and Bohemian crystal, music by Dvorak, Smetana, and Janacek that glows with lyricism and melodiousness. Dvorak's Piano Quintet is a recognized masterpiece, and along wiht the other selections, it over-flows with Mittel-European ease, cultivation and affecting tenderness. It's never too far from the Czech countryside and a languid summer's evening. This Gala concert is followed by a Patron's reception for all CEWM season contributors.

Lydia Artymiw, piano; Erin Keefe, violin; Lily Francis, violin; Toby Appel, viola; Yehuda Hanani, cello.