BOF’s Resident Artist Program opens its inaugural season with Zémire et Azor, André Grétry’s retelling of the classic Beauty and the Beast tale—reimagined in our new production in the shimmering yet morally fragile world of Gilded Age America. Zémire, daughter of the nouveau riche, longs for authenticity while Azor, an old-money recluse disfigured by an industrial accident, hides in a decaying mansion outside New York. When she offers herself to save her father, Zémire discovers Azor’s noble heart. Richly lyrical and emotionally expressive, the work celebrates love’s transformative power and the enduring truth that real beauty lies within.

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Zémire Et Azor

The “innovative, clever, and thoroughly professional” Berkshire Opera Festival (Bachtrack) kicks off its inaugural Resident Artist Program at PS21 with André Grétry’s Zémire et Azor. Directed by Mo Zhou and conducted by BOF co-founder Maestro Brian Garman, the French retelling of Beauty and the Beast is a charming, rarely-staged gem, set in the shimmering yet morally fragile world of Gilded Age America.

PS21 presents Berkshire Opera Festival

PS21 Center for Contemporary Performance

**Schwab Vocal Rising Stars at Caramoor**

**Date:** Sunday, March 17, 2024  
**Time:** 3:00 PM  
**Location:** Music Room, Caramoor, 149 Girdle Ridge Road, Katonah, NY 10536  
**Artistic Director & Piano:** Steven Blier  
**Associate Director & Piano:** Bénédicte Jourdois  

**Overview:**  
Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of vocal music as the Schwab Vocal Rising Stars present "Eros and Co." This captivating concert explores the chaos and delight of Cupid’s arrow through an exquisite selection of songs by composers such as Saint-Saëns, Granados, Cole Porter, Sam Cooke, and many others. This performance marks the culmination of a week-long mentoring program for four young singers and a pianist, handpicked by Artistic Director Steven Blier, showcasing their exceptional talent and the fruits of their intensive training at Caramoor.

**Program Highlights:**  
- Anacreon / trans. Robert Herrick: Wounded Cupid  
- Ned Rorem: Love  
- Franz Schubert: Die Liebesgötter  
- Enrique Granados: Amor y odio  
- Sam Cooke: Cupid  
- Cole Porter: They Couldn’t Compare to You  
...and more.

**Featuring Artists:**  
- Shan Hai, soprano  
- Sophia Baete, mezzo-soprano  
- Scott Rubén La Marca, tenor  
- Michael Hawk, baritone  
- Amber Scherer, piano  

**Special Offer:**  
Caramoor is delighted to offer free tickets for ages 18 & under for this event, encouraging the next generation of music lovers to experience the beauty of vocal performance. Adults must accompany children at all times.

**About the Schwab Vocal Rising Stars Program:**  
Launched in spring 2009, the Schwab Vocal Rising Stars Program is a cornerstone of Caramoor’s dedication to nurturing young talent. Focused on vocal chamber music and the art of song in recital, this program invites singers at the advanced student and beginning professional level for a week of intensive coaching, rehearsals, and workshops. The program is a tribute to the memory of Terrance W. Schwab and is supported by the Terrance W. Schwab Endowment Fund for Young Vocal Artists.

**Tickets & Information:**  
For tickets and more information, please visit [Caramoor's website](https://www.caramoor.org) or contact the Box Office at 914.232.1252, available Tuesday to Friday, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Join us for an afternoon of exquisite music and support the rising stars of the vocal world at Caramoor.

Schwab Vocal Rising Stars

The Rosen House at Caramoor

Lucia di Lammermoor reigns as the crown jewel of bel canto opera! Set amid the foggy moors and ancient castles of Scotland, Donizetti’s masterpiece tells the tragic story of Lucia, whose forbidden love for her family’s sworn enemy drives her to the brink of madness. When her brother forces her into a loveless marriage, Lucia’s heart—and mind—shatter in one of opera’s most unforgettable scenes.  Renowned for its breathtaking drama and virtuosic singing, Lucia di Lammermoor remains one of the most celebrated works in the operatic canon, a timeless showcase of the full power and passion of the human voice.

Scott Rubén La Marca

Events

Upcoming events

22 - 28 Aug, 2026

Lucia Di Lammermoor · Berkshire Opera Festival

Past events

Jul 31 - Aug 2, 2026

Zémire Et Azor · Berkshire Opera Festival

Jul 31 - Aug 2, 2026

PS21 presents Berkshire Opera Festival · PS21 : Center for Contemporary Performance

Future and recently performed repertoire

Normanno in Lucia di Lammermoor by Donizetti

Berkshire Opera Festival

Azor in Zémire et Azor by Grétry

Berkshire Opera Festival

About

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