Though working for many years in the “mean†streets of Manhattan has enabled us to fulfill the American dream of building a vacation home here in the Berkshires, in the summer, in turns out, we’re never home. Six years ago, after many years as patrons of Tanglewood, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, my husband and I decided to volunteer at Tanglewood. Becoming ushers, we felt, was the best opportunity, and most economical way, to be "up close and personal" with world-class conductors, composers and aspiring musicians.
I’ve been in love with classical music since my brother Joey used to prop up a borrowed score from the library on our console radio and conduct the Metropolitan Opera from our living room.
My husband, Ted, a civil engineer from Bulgaria, listens to opera while watching seasonal sports – as in “Tosca†from Shea Staduim while the Mets are playing. He is proud of the disproportionately large numbers of Bulgarian artists represented in major orchestras and operas around the world, and decided he’d make the perfect usher for the Koussevitsky Music Shed (Tanglewood’s outdoor theatre), as his wardrobe already included the requisite uniform – navy jacket, gray slacks, white shirt and conservative tie. Of course, with that outfit, he’d also qualify for the CIA – minus the ear piece. The black/white outfit for women was a no brainer for me, so we were psyched! We were ready! We would be “where it’s at" – up front and close to the greats: Cliburn and Serkin at the piano, Chang, Pearlman and Midori on their violins, Rostropovich and Yo Yo Ma at their cellos, and most of all, Maestro Seiji Ozawa, the genius who memorizes every score, whose body moves like a ballet dancer, and whose arms and expressive hands elicit the kind of orchestral response so great they make the BSO a first- class orchestra.
Optimistically, we pursued our dream. After becoming familiar with the seating plan for the shed and Ozawa Hall, and identifying the location of every significant structure that comprises the physical plant from music store to gift shop, from the Main Gate to Lion’s Gate, and every last rest room, we were, indeed ready to become Tanglewood’s newest ambassadors.
To our horror, we did not make the cut. For every BSO member performing on the stage, about six volunteers, in a variety of capacities, are needed. There are 1300 of us, and we all want to be ushers! The waiting list is interminable. And ushers apparently don’t die, nor do they fade away. One gentleman was recently honored for serving 50 years as an usher! At this rate, we may be called upon around 2050. And so, we became “programmers.â€
This is not a technological job; we just hand out programs while people stream in. We get to sit on the lawn and listen, unlike the ushers, who are front and center in the shed.
I’ll admit that I’m amused by the variety of blankets, tarps, chairs, wagons, coolers, flower-filled vases, candelabras, umbrellas and other paraphanelia that is transported onto the grounds. But is the quid-pro-quo enough for the effort we’re making? Can this feast for the eyes compensate for our disappointment?
Last Sunday morning we had to be at our “work†assignment at 9:15 a.m. to cover the Tanglewood Music Institute’s concert at Ozawa Hall. Because seating for the student concerts is open, our responsibility was largely to police the doors, preventing latecomers from entering after the concert has begun. I would have preferred to stay in bed. Eventually I settled into a seat inside, only to hear the door. I turned to reprimand the interloper who had come through.
My heart leapt. Could it be? Am I in the presence of greatness? Yes! It was Yo Yo Ma, who drew a sellout crowd to his performance of Dvorak’s Cello concerto and who shortly after, went to Washington to play at the funeral of Katherine Graham, the late editor of the Washington post. I watched how intently he listened to the young cellist soloist…
I waited till the applause stopped, but not too long – he might jump up and be out of my small circle of life forever. “I don’t want to intrude upon your time,†I lied, “But would you sign my program?†Ma’s warm brown eyes smiled and met mine. “What’s your name?†he asked gently. “Dorothy,†I swooned, and watched him write me a personal message.
Yes, it’s all worth it.
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Berkshire Food Project Closed for Power Issues
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Berkshire Food Project is closed Monday because of a power outage early in the morning.
"We are unable to get proper electricity and heat to the building," according to Executive Director Matthew Alcombright. "We hope that this can be resolved and be open tomorrow."
The project does have some sandwiches and frozen meals that will be distributed at the entry.
The city has lifted a boil water order — with several exceptions — that was issued late Monday morning following several water line breaks over the weekend. click for more
The bridge had been closed to all vehicle traffic since March 2023 after being deemed structurally deficient by the state Department of Transportation. click for more
