BCHS Presents the Opera 'Billy Budd'

11:32AM / Tuesday, September 17, 2024Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — "Billy Budd, Sailor" is Herman Melville's novella exploring themes of innocence, justice, and the corrupting influence of power.

According to a press release:

It is the tale of a noble young sailor who is conscripted, falls victim to petty jealousy, and pays the price with his life. Set aboard a British naval ship during the Napoleonic Wars, Budd is falsely accused of mutiny and sentenced to death. Even as he is martyred, he retains his integrity.

As part of its continuing celebration of the centennial of Billy Budd, Sailor's publication, the Berkshire County Historical Society, in collaboration with Berkshire Opera Festival and Tanglewood Learning Institute, will present selections from the 1951 opera Billy Budd composed by Benjamin Britten with a libretto by authors E. M. Forster and Eric Crozier.

The selections will be paired with readings by actor Ryan Winkles. The event takes place at the Linde Center for Music and Learning at Tanglewood on Sept. 20 at 7 pm.

Open seating tickets are $100 and can be purchased by using the BOOK NOW button at bekshirehistory.org. Ticket includes a post-performance reception with drinks and desserts by Gourmet Catering, and the launch of a unique Arrowhead cider from Berkshire Cider Project.

The event is sponsored by The Feigenbaum Foundation. All proceeds benefit Berkshire County Historical Society educational, preservation, and restoration programs.

"The Berkshire County Historical Society is pleased to be partnering with Berkshire Opera Festival and Tanglewood Learning Institute to celebrate Billy Budd, said BCHS Executive Director Lesley Herzberg. "The Berkshires are fortunate to be home to so many quality cultural venues and individual artists who so generously collaborate to create programs that one organization alone cannot achieve."

Tags: berkshire county historical society,

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Berkshire Law Enforcement Officials Endorse Fenton for Governor's Council

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:11PM / Wednesday, August 12, 2026

Michael Fenton, a Springfield attorney, ran unsuccessfully for the 8th District seat on the council in 2022. He is challenging incumbent Tara Jacobs of North Adams.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Ranking Berkshire law enforcement officials are putting their weight behind a Springfield lawyer for Governor's Council in the September Democratic primary over North Adams incumbent Tara Jacobs.

The Berkshires' District Attorney Timothy Shugrue, Sheriff Thomas Bowler, and Clerk of Courts Lisa Denault-Viale touted Michael Fenton's experience and approach over Jacobs, who bested him and two other attorneys in 2022.

The Governor's Council advises the governor on matters relating to judicial appointments, treasury warrants, pardons and commutations, and a number of other important executive functions. The winner of the primary will represent the 8th District, which covers more than 100 cities and towns including North Adams, Adams, Pittsfield, Greenfield, Northampton and Springfield, as there is no other candidate on the November ballot.

Gathering at Park Square on Wednesday morning, Shugrue said Jacobs does not provide the representation Berkshire County requires and deserves.

"This individual [Fenton] would conduct himself with a great deal of common sense and confidence," Bowler said.

Fenton said there are only 11 Superior Court judges assigned to Western Mass, and that too few of them are from Berkshire County.

"At one time there were four vacancies. That left only seven judges serving the entire 102 cities and towns of the western region. Seven judges serving 102 cities and towns at a time when you add Hampden County, Springfield, Holyoke, and Chicopee in, at a time when there were over 100 pending murder cases. Seven judges for 100 pending murder cases," he said.

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