GREAT BARRINGTON - "Opera is alive and well and has a new home in the Berkshires!" pronounced Rex Hearn, as he waved a metaphoric magic wand cueing "Music at the Mahaiwe."
Full-tilt musical performances reflected the enthusiasm of the master of ceremonies and founder of Berkshire Opera Company. Performers on August 18 included conductor and artistic director Joel Revzen, tenor Charles Castronovo, sopranos Emily Pulley and Amy Burton, mezzo-soprano Margaret Lattimore, baritone William Stone and bass-baritone John Cheek. The acoustics of the 1905 jewel box Mahaiwe Theatre polished the performance of the orchestra to a high sheen, and thus was christened Berkshire Opera Company's new home.
The performances marked the company's first live presentation in the space. A near capacity audience crowded the 700-seat theatre on the final night of the five evenings of song, which ran August 11-18. Familiar arias from operas by Verdi, Bizet, Mozart, Rossini and others highlighted the evening. The celebration was poignant but long in coming: Berkshire Opera had found a permanent home in the Berkshires after 16 plus years of wandering. The company purchased the Mahaiwe, then in its movie-theatre incarnation, last September for $450,000.
An appreciative audience brought the singers back for applause after each selection. At the finale, the performers raised glasses of champagne and invited the audience to sing along. The program was the last of the season for the company, which has initiated a $15 million capital campaign to fund the restoration of the theatre. Earlier season offerings included the First Annual Opera Film Festival and a full-length production of Mozart's Cossi fan tutte at BCC.
The company hopes to utilize the Mahaiwe and showcase it, even as extensive renovations proceed. Despite the lack of a regular venue, the company built a reputation and proved itself critically and financially viable during its years of homelessness. In 1992, seven years after its inception, the New York Times stated, "just up the road from Tanglewood, the Berkshire Opera Company performs miracles." At that time, the company performed in a now-demolished chapel on the Cranwell property on Route 20 in Lenox. By the late 1990s the company was ensconced in Berkshire Community College's Koussevitsky Arts Center, staging full-length performances with well-established singers.
The glitzy celebration stood in contrast with the company's humble start, when Hearn entered a music store in midtown Manhattan searching out talented music students for his first season. "Fools rush in where angels fear to tread," said Hearn before the performance, discussing the genesis of the company. "My wife, Kathy, and I had no idea what we were getting into."
A native of England, Hearn became a U.S. citizen three years ago, after working in New York for many years. In the mid 1980's his wife won a settlement in a lawsuit and held out the check to him. "She said, 'What should we do with it?' I said, 'Put it in the bank,'" Hearns recalls. Eventually, though, they decided "to do something constructive with it." The couple had a summer home in Lee, Hearn recalls. "I said, 'The only thing that's missing in the Berkshires is the opera.' So, with about $40,000, we started the opera company." On a mission to find a soprano, Hearn went to hear a local gal at the Stockbridge Congregational Church at the behest of her brother. "Arthur Flynn at Berkshire Life said, "I've got a sister who is a singer. I thought, 'Oh, no. Well, I guess I have to go.'" He recalls, "We got there late. It was Easter Sunday, so we were in the back row seats, just in front where the choir was. When it came her time to sing, I hear this heavenly sound. 'What a wonderful voice,' I said. 'I do hope she's attractive.'" Hearn was delighted when he met the then Maureen Flynn, who put the "O" back into her name later, according to Hearn. O'Flynn became a BOC regular, and built her career here. She has since performed at the White House for President Bush, at Covent Garden, at La Scala and at the Metropolitan Opera.
Hearn is delighted with the way his company has "grown up." "The success of the company and the legacy of a permanent home fills me with gratitude," said Hearn. "They have graduated summa cum laude."
The company's annual budget now exceeds $1 million. A staff of seven works from their Railroad Street offices.
Hearn also praised the Mahaiwe venue, particularly its vaunted acoustics. "You stand on the stage and you don't have to shout to be heard." The company had been eyeing the theatre for six years, a fact they carefully concealed from the public. President and CEO Sanford Fisher orchestrated the purchase and attendant fund raising. According to Hearn, Fisher "has done a remarkable thing in bringing the company to where it is today."
Fittingly, the Mahaiwe's first performance in 1905 was a comic opera. In its early years, the theatre was primarily a venue for vaudeville acts and musical entertainment, and John Phillips Souza's band performed there. During the recent performance, a restored area of the ornate decoration that graces the walls and box seats was spotlighted as a preview of how the theatre will look when all of the paint is scraped off, cleaned and otherwise restored.
The company also purchased an adjacent building, the former Gans building at 31 Railroad Street. Officials hope to turn the first floor into an art gallery and gift shop and reception hall for intermissions and other social events. The second floor will provide dressing rooms, costume and wig-fitting areas, and the basement will be used for set and prop storage. Architect Hugh Hardy is directing the restoration. During off-season months, the company plans to make the theatre available for lectures, movies, children's programming and other events.
According to Hearn, opera is experiencing growing popularity, and 125 opera companies now operate in the United States. "It's a happening thing. There's been exposure in modern movies like 'Moonstruck.'" The Broadway hit "Rent" is based on an opera. Hearn points out that, of all things, MTV may have also contributed to the interest, because of the multi-media showcasing of music. "It's the multiple disciplines," he says. Where else can they get it?" The appearance of "supertitles," which translate the operas into English, has also made opera more accessible.
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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.
In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.
Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear.
The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.
"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."
Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.
In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.
The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.
"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.
The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.
In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.
"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
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