remote broadcast

Berkshire Theatre Group’s Summer 2024 Season includes Rogers & Hammerstein’s “Pipe Dream,” a musical tale of love and hope from John Steinbeck’s Cannery Row & Sweet Thursday; “The Weir,” a haunting tale of Irish folklore and revelation; “Abe Lincoln in Illinois,” Robert E. Sherwood’s Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece tells the tale of the remarkable journey of Abraham Lincoln; Mel Brooks’ “Young Frankenstein;” and Disney’s “Frozen JR,” adapted from the original Oscar Award-winning movie and featuring youth actors from Berkshire County and beyond. BTG presents shows in Stockbridge and Pittsfield, Massachusetts and we are joined by Artistic Director and CEO Kate Maguire.

The Mount is a National Historic Landmark and cultural center that interprets the intellectual, artistic, and humanitarian legacy of Edith Wharton, the author who wrote over 40 books in 40 years, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, “The Age of Innocence.” Susan Wissler is the Executive Director of The Mount and she joins us with host of the Masters Series – André Bernard.

Berkshire Busk! was conceived and developed by cellist and entrepreneur Eugene Carr during the earliest days of the pandemic. When all the stores, restaurants and cultural organizations were closed, the festival became a safe way to bring the community together and enliven the town of Great Barrington through the arts. In the summer of 2023, over 28,000 people experienced Berkshire Busk! in downtown Great Barrington. Berkshire Busk! Is back for 2024 and Eugene Carr joins us.

Two world premieres and new takes on Shakespeare lead off Shakespeare & Company’s 47th Season. The Lenox, Massachusetts based troupe presents “A Body of Water” by Lee Blessing; the World Premiere of “The Islanders” by Carey Crim; the Regional Premiere of “Flight of the Monarch” by Jim Frangione; the World Premier of “Three Tall Persian Women,” by Awni Abdi-Bahri; a lively staged reading of Jane Austen’s “Emma” – adapted by Kate Hamill; and, by the Bard – a staged reading of “The Winter’s Tale” and an outdoor production of “The Comedy of Errors.”

We have been spending a lot of time talking about what is on stage here at Tanglewood this morning. Let’s go behind the scenes. We welcome - Amy Aldrich, Director of Patron Experience (Box Office, Front of House, Customer Service, Accessibility.) We also welcome - Tom Leahy, Tanglewood Grounds Manager.

Miloš is one of the world’s most celebrated classical guitarists. His career began its meteoric rise in 2011 with the release of his international bestselling Deutsche Grammophon debut album, "Mediterraneo." He will be performing tonight at 8 p.m. in Ozawa Hall.

Tony Fogg is a dear friend to this program and has been with us since we first broadcast here some 2-decades. Tony was born in Australia and was trained as a pianist at the Brazilian Academy of Music and at the University of Sydney. In 1994 at the invitation of Seiji Ozawa, he came to the USA to take up the position of Artistic Administrator of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Now, as Vice-President of Artistic Planning, he assists BSO Music Director, Andris Nelsons, with the scheduling of all performances by the BSO, as well as overseeing the Pops and Tanglewood Music Festival.

Tanglewood Music Center (TMC) Fellows experience music making at the highest level, enjoying close mentorship from members of a world-class orchestra, intensive and inspiring coaching from resident faculty, thought-provoking classes with distinguished visiting musicians, and myriad performances from the BSO and a diverse array of guest artists. It is often said: A summer at Tanglewood is a rite of passage for any young musician. This morning we welcome Dawn Upshaw, TMC’s Head of Vocal Arts.

Chad Smith is the CEO of the BSO - which he has led since last year. He previously served as President and CEO of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. He joins us to discuss vision and new initiatives.

We are broadcasting from Studio E at the Linde Center for Music and Learning on the sprawling Tanglewood Campus, which opened in 2019. We begin by meeting our hosts this morning. Chad Smith is the Julian and Eunice Cohen President and CEO of the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO), which he has led since last year; he previously served as President and CEO of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and we welcome back our dear friend Andris Nelsons - the fifteenth music director in the BSO’s history.