From “The Impossible Dream” to a terrifying portrayal of a witches’ sabbath, our season opener is rich with musical imagery and a vast range of passions. The program begins with the luscious, enveloping strains of a dream sequence from Humperdinck’s beloved opera, Hänsel und Gretel, and closes with the opium-induced nightmares of Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique. Along the way, baritone soloist Chad Sonka joins the orchestra for a collection of stirring songs inspired by the story of Don Quixote.

Dreams and Nightmares

Ames City Hall

EPSG:4326

Student Recital: Ricky Owens

Carnegie Mellon University

**Close Encounters With Music: Nocturne Night and Dreams**

**Date:** Sunday, December 3, 2023  
**Time:** 4:00 pm  
**Location:** Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, 14 Castle Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230  
**Tickets:** $28 Upper Balcony | $52 Orchestra and Mezzanine  

Dive into the enigmatic world of night and dreams with the exquisite "Close Encounters With Music: Nocturne Night and Dreams" event at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center. This unique concert, scheduled for a captivating evening on December 3, 2023, promises to explore the nuanced emotions and mysterious allure that the night brings. From the peaceful repose of lullabies to the passionate serenades of love, and even the thrilling fear of darkness, this program covers the entire spectrum of nocturnal experiences.

Featuring a diverse range of compositions by legendary composers such as Mozart, Schubert, Borodin, and Bernstein, attendees will be treated to an auditory feast that captures the essence of the night. Highlights include Beethoven's enchanting Moonlight Sonata, Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik in its original scoring, and a selection of Lieder by Schumann, Debussy, and Fauré. The universality of the night's theme is further demonstrated through arias from Gounod’s Romeo and Juliet and selections from beloved musicals like West Side Story and Man of La Mancha.

The event boasts an impressive lineup of performers, including Fabio Bidini on piano, John Viscardi as baritone, violinists Kobi Malkin and Grace Park, Luke Fleming on viola, Lizzie Burns on double bass, and Yehuda Hanani on cello. This ensemble of talented musicians is set to bring the enchanting and varied aspects of the night to life through their exceptional performances.

Don't miss this opportunity to experience the magic of the night through music at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center. Whether you're drawn to the tranquility of the evening, the romance of the night, or the mysteries that darkness holds, "Nocturne Night and Dreams" promises an unforgettable journey through the heart of the night.

Close Encounters With Music: Nocturne Night and Dreams

Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center

Tony Award winning BEST MUSICAL based on the classic Cervantes novel. Join Don Quixote, Sancho Panza and Aldonza on this epic quest scored by Mitch Leigh & Joe Darion, including The Impossible Dream.

Man of La Mancha

Francis Wilson Playhouse

Man of La Mancha is one of the world’s most popular musicals. Inspired by Miguel de Cervantes’ 17th-century masterwork Don Quixote and set during the Spanish Inquisition, the original 1965 production won five Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Cervantes is in prison awaiting trial during the Spanish Inquisition. He and his fellow prisoners perform a play-within-a-play, telling the story of the elderly Alonso Quijana, who renames himself “Don Quixote” and goes on a quest to right all wrongs in the world. The rousing, Spanish-inflected score includes the classic numbers “The Impossible Dream,” “I, Don Quixote,” “Dulcinea,” “I Really Like Him” and “Little Bird.”

The Naples Players

This beloved musical is inspired by Miguel de Cervantes’ “DonQuixote,” which was set during the Spanish Inquisition. In the story, Cervantes and his fellow prisoners perform a play about the elderly Alonso Quijana, who becomes the idealistic knight Don Quixote on a quest to right the world’s wrongs.

Mitch Leigh

Events

Upcoming events

Feb 13 - Mar 2, 2025

Man of La Mancha · Francis Wilson Playhouse

Mar 12 - Apr 13, 2025

Man of La Mancha · The Naples Players

May 23, 2025

Man of La Mancha · Diamond Head Theatre

Past events

Oct 5, 2024

Dreams and Nightmares · Central Iowa Symphony

Apr 6, 2024

Student Recital: Ricky Owens · Carnegie Mellon University School of Music

About

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