Berkshire Bach Society to Present 'Dido and Aeneas'

03:36PM / Tuesday, April 01, 2025Print Story | Email Story

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Berkshire Bach Society (BBS) will present a concert performance of Henry Purcell's "Dido and Aeneas" on April 5 at 4:00 p.m. at the First Congregational Church in Great Barrington.

The performance will feature professional soloists, chorus, and orchestra, under the direction of choral conductor James Bagwell.

According to Terrill McDade, Executive Director of the Berkshire Bach Society, Henry Purcell wrote "Dido and Aeneas" in the mid-1680's. It is based on Book IV of Virgil's "Aeneid," which recounts the story of Dido, Queen of Carthage, and Aeneas, Hero of Troy. The piece includes Dido's lament, "When I am laid in Earth."

James Bagwell will direct the performance.

Ticket Information:

Preferred Seats: $60 Nonmembers | $55 Berkshire Bach Members

Regular Seats: $50 Nonmembers | $45 Berkshire Bach Members | $10 Card to Culture

Children and Students with valid ID are admitted free.

More information can be found at www.berkshirebach.org/events.

The Berkshire Bach Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

iBerkshires.com Text Ads

RIBCO Supply

Check out our great lineup of Boss Plows, and spreaders. 2 Locations Clarksburg & Pittsfield!

ribcosupply.com

rk MILES Blding Materials

Are You Ready to Update Your Home? Start With rk MILES. 4 Locations (800)670-7433

www.rkmiles.com

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Elevated Mercury Level Found in Center Pond Fish

11:41AM / Friday, December 19, 2025

BECKET, Mass. — The state Department of Public Health has issued an advisory after a mercury-contaminated fish was found in Center Pond.

According to a letter sent to the local Board of Health from the Division of Environmental Toxicology, Hazard Assessment and Prevention, elevated levels of mercury were measured in the sample taken from the pond.

The concentration in the fish exceeded DPH's action level of 0.5 milligrams per kilogram, or parts per million.

"This indicates that daily consumption of fish from the waterbody may pose a health concern. Therefore, DPH has issued a FCA for Center Pond recommending that sensitive populations should not eat chain pickerel and all other people should limit consumption of chain pickerel to 2 meals/month," the letter states.

The letter specifically points to chain pickerel, but the 60-acre pond also has largemouth and smallmouth bass and yellow perch.

The "sensitive populations" include children younger than 12, those who are nursing, pregnant, or who may become pregnant.

The Toxicology Division recommends reducing intake of "large, predatory fish" or fish that feed on the bottoms of waterbodies, such as largemouth bass and carp. More information on safely eating fish can be found here.

View Full Story