Saratoga Performing Arts Center announced an event in celebration of Earth Day, “American Wildflowers,” scheduled for April 22.
Joe Donahue with Journalist Gloria Steinem. Credit: WAMC
“American Wildflowers,” is the next event in the center’s WAMC@SPAC series with Vice President of News and Programming for WAMC, Joe Donahue, scheduled to host the event, featuring a conversation with the editors and illustrators of American Wildflowers: A Literary Field Guide Susan Barba and Leanne Shapton. A book signing by Barba and Shapton will follow.
As SPAC embraces Earth as a running theme throughout the season, it is fitting that this event celebrating wildflowers and the natural world takes place on Earth Day.
Elizabeth Sobol, President and CEO of SPAC.
American Wildflowers: A Literary Field Guide comprises of poems, essays, and letters from the 1700s up until today, and focuses on the place of wildflowers in our culture and the natural world. Publishers Weekly called it a “rich compendium of classic and contemporary writings inspired by wildflowers.” The book is complimented by Shapton’s watercolors.
Susan Barba is the author of two poetry collections, Fair Sun (2017) and Geode (2020.) and a finalist for both the New England Book Awards and the Massatuchetts Book Award. Her work has been featured in the New York Review of Books and the New Republic.
Leanne Shapton has made a career in artistry, writing, and publicity. Her work has appeared on the book covers of Women in Clothes and her own Swimming Studies, which won the 2012 National Book Critics Circle Award for autobiography. Shapton currently resides in New York City and works as an art editor for the New York Review of Books.
Gearing up for Summer festival season, Opera Saratoga has released their slated lineup of performances that will take place in the heart of Saratoga Springs in 2023.
“We are excited to be partnering with Universal Preservation Hall this season for our MainStage performances and look forward to introducing our audiences to this amazing space right in downtown Saratoga Springs” says Managing Director, Amanda Robie. However, the season will also showcase performances in various beloved Saratoga venues including Spa Little Theatre, The Mansion of Saratoga and at Caffè Lena (which will play host to their America Sings concert series).
This year’s summer festivals will be comprised of various talents who emerged through Saratogas Young Artist Program
Opera Saratoga Lineup and Performances
Overall, this year’s summer festival season is keeping in theme, as the lineup consists of sixteen festival singers, two conductors, a pianist and two directors. With this intention, two noteworthy guest acts, Andy Papas and Eric McConnell will also feature (both of whom are alums of Opera Saratoga’s prestigious training program).
“I am particularly excited about this season” says Head of Music Staff, Laurie Rogers, “as it is cast completely from either current or former members of our prestigious Young Artist program. Additionally, this year’s talented singers, drawn from an application pool of over 900, will be take part in our Broadway and Stars of Tomorrow concerts.”
Opera Saratoga provides something for all, featuring three productions brought to life. Namely, the Tony-award winning A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, historic composer Donizetti’s bel canto masterpiece Don Pasquale, and a world-premiere of a new children’s opera based upon Oscar Wilde’s short story The Selfish Giant. Additionally, Clarice Assad and libretto by Lila Palmer will handle scoring and additional festival concerts. Moreover, each performance will feature production elements that leverage the unique site-specific features of Universal Preservation Hall. All in all, Opera Saratoga’s summer festival lineup is suitable for the entire family.
For more information on Opera Saratoga and this summer’s lineup and the America Sings concert series at Caffè Lena, visit Opera Saratoga’s official website.
2023 Festival Performances:
A Gentleman’s Guide — June 30, July 2 (matinee), 6, & 8, 2023, Universal Preservation Hall
Don Pasquale — July 1, 7, & 9 (matinee), 2023, Universal Preservation Hall
The Selfish Giant — July 1 (matinee) & 8 (matinee), 2023, Universal Preservation Hall
On Feb. 9, Opera Saratoga’s board of directors named Mary Birnbaum their new general and artistic director. Birnbaum succeeds Lawrence Edelson, whose eight-year tenure concluded at the end of the 2022 season. The 10th general director in Opera Saratoga’s history, Birnbaum’s hiring comes ahead of the summer 2023 season.
“We are incredibly excited and honored to have Mary Birnbaum join Opera Saratoga. She was selected after an extensive nationwide search, in which we interviewed many highly qualified candidates. Mary’s level of enthusiasm and love of opera are infectious and I am certain she will be an inspirational leader for the company as well as an integral part of the Saratoga Springs community,” said Board President Steve Rosenblum.
Other than her hiring at Opera Saratoga, Birnbaum teaches acting for singers as the Dramatic Advisor to the Masters of Music and Graduate Diploma Program at Juilliard. Birnhaum will main her position at Juilliard in addition to her role at Opera Saratoga. Birnbaum has worked both internationally, from Taiwan (Otello) to Australia and Israel, and across the U.S.
“I am thrilled to accept the position of General and Artistic Director of Opera Saratoga and look forward to collaborating with the talented staff and superior board of directors to bring exceptional music theater to Saratoga Springs and the surrounding communities,” Birnbaum said.
Fans can meet Birnbaum this summer, during the 2023 festival season. Her introduction to the public will happen on Thursday, June 8, 2023, at the Saratoga National Golf Club.
Opera Saratoga started under the name Lake George Opera Festival on July 5, 1962. Its first production was Die Fledermaus at the Diamond Point Theatre. The company now calls Saratoga Springs home and has put on productions for more than 25,000 people annually.
Shortly after Birnbaum’s introduction, Opera Saratoga’s summer festival will begin Friday, June 30, and continue until Sunday, July 9. Curated by Managing Director Amanda Robie, Don Pasquale, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, and The Selfish Giant, are among the acts set to perform. Tickets can be purchased through www.operasaratoga.org.
Saratoga Performing Arts Center(SPAC) announced its 2023 spring season lineup in the Spa Little Theatre. The ever first spring season offerings featuring live theatre, jazz, folk, global and classical music, including cooperations with Caffe Lena.
photo by Zach Culver
Highlighting the series are the SPAC debuts of Aquila Theatre for two productions of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and Grammy-nominated cappella group Kings Return, in addition to the return of global music ensemble Banda Magda. Caffe Lena @ SPAC is also returned with performances of The Steel Wheels and The Brubeck Brothers Quartet in Spa Little Theatre. The previously announced year-round residency by Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center will also continue with a finale performance by Artistic Directors Wu Han and David Finckel.
The Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) is located in Saratoga Springs in upstate New York. It is a charitable organization and one of America’s most prestigious summer festivals. Setting in a 2,400-acre park preserve surrounded by hiking trails, geysers, and natural mineral springs, SPAC draws vacation crowds and arts connoisseurs for immersive experiences of performances by resident companies. SPAC also hosts the annual Saratoga Wine and Food.
“Following the success of our completely sold out holiday season, we are excited to once again open the doors of the Spa Little Theatre to our community this spring. From world-class theatre to global music to folk and jazz in partnership with Caffe Lena, and our new year-round residency with Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, there is literally a program for everyone.”
Elizabeth Sobol
Spring programming at the Spa Little Theatre:
Aquila Theatre in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice – 2PM & 7 PMSaturday, March 11
Published in 1813, Jane Austen’s ultimate romantic comedy Pride and Prejudice has stood the test of time. Besides the Bennet sisters’ navigations toward love and marriage, Austen’s humorous criticize of the English class system, and the thoughts and feelings of her women characters are worthy to enjoy. Aquila Theatre will bring this classic thrillingly to life with its signature passion, energy, and visual flair for its SPAC debut.
Tickets cost $33-$68. They will be available to purchase on Tuesday, January 24 at 10 a.m. for members, tiered by level, and Friday, January 27 at 10 a.m. for the general public.
Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center
Voices of the Americas – 7 PM Saturday, March 18
Experience the wide range of ideas, sounds, and cultures that have inspired composers from the Americas in the 20th century. The program opens and closes with vibrant, beloved classics by Copland and Gershwin brought about by their travels to Latin America.
Tickets cost $45-$65 and are available now at spac.org.
Kings Return – 7 PM Friday, March 31
The Grammy-nominated Kings Return is a vocal band of brothers — Gabe Kunda, Vaughn Faison, J.E. McKissic & Jamall Williams. Fusing gospel, Jazz, R&B/Soul, and classical music, the a capella group performs songs from the Bee Gees “How Deep is Your Love” to “Ave Maria” to Leon Bridges “River” and Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” Based in Dallas, Texas, Kings Return’s popularity grew when they began posting videos to social media from the stairwell where they rehearse. The group has now amassed almost 10 million views across all platforms.
Tickets cost $33 and are all general admission. They will be available to purchase on Tuesday, January 24 at 10 a.m. for members, tiered by level, and Friday, January 27 at 10 a.m. for the general public.
Caffe Lena @ SPAC: The Steel Wheels – 7 PM Sunday, April 2
A Virginia-based Americana band with a strong bluegrass underpinning, The Steel Wheels explore deeply rooted yet fresh folk rock sounds.
Caffe Lena @ SPAC: The Brubeck Brothers Quartet – 7 PM Sunday, April 23
With Dan and Chris Brubeck as the foundation, guitarist Mike DeMicco and pianist Chuck Lamb, complete this dynamic quartet. Although the Quartet’s style is rooted in “straight-ahead” jazz, their concerts reveal an inherent ability to explore and play odd time signatures while naturally integrating the influences of funk, blues and world music.
Following their SPAC on Stage debut in 2019, Banda Magda will return to Saratoga with all new music and their global sounds including samba, French chanson, Greek folk tunes, Colombian cumbia, and Afro-Peruvian lando. Their songs capture the best of mid-century pop ballads and cinematic arranging, drawing on the band’s global background and unchained musicality.
Tickets cost $33 and are all general admission. They will be available to purchase on Tuesday, January 24 at 10 a.m. for members, tiered by level, and Friday, January 27 at 10 a.m. for the general public.
Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center
An Evening with David, Wu Han & Arnaud – 7 PM Saturday, May 13
Artistic Directors Wu Han and David Finckel and violinist Arnaud Sussman perform Beethoven and Dvořák to close the CMS spring season.
Tickets cost $45-$65 and are available now at spac.org.
The announcement follows SPAC’s fall and holiday concert series in the Spa Little Theatre and is part of SPAC’s mission to present year-round programming that extends beyond the traditional summer months. Visit spac.org for additional details.
Venezualachian music duo Larry & Joe are headed to Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs on Wednesday, January 25 as part of their first ever tour to the Northeast.
Duo Larry & Joe
Larry & Joe is the latest project of Joe Troop, founder and bandleader of former GRAMMY-nominated Latingrass ensemble Che Apalache, and Larry Bellorín, a powerhouse of Llanera music who’s also an asylum-seeking migrant.
Currently based in the Triangle of North Carolina, both men are versatile multi-instrumentalists and singer-songwriters on a mission to show that music has no borders. These two will bring their unique fusion of Venezuelan and Appalachian folk music to the Capital Region, with an electric show that is sure to be a treat for all ages. The duo fuse their respective Venezuelan and Appalachian folk traditions (hence, Venezualachian) on the harp, banjo, cuatro, fiddle, upright bass, guitar, and maracas. Their bilingual program will include storytelling, humor, and singalongs. This show will feature both distinct blend of their musical traditions as well as storytelling about the ways that music and social movements coalesce.
Fusion Duo Larry & Joe
Tickets are $20 for general admission, $18 for members, $10 for students and children, and $5 for livestream. Tickets available on Eventbrite and at the door. Doors for seating open at 7 pm, show begins at 7:30 pm. All ages encouraged to attend. For more information, visit www.larryandjoe.com
