Adams Theater Presents Classic Lyric Arts

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ADAMS, Mass. — This summer, Classic Lyric Arts is bringing its top talent to a showcase at the Adams Theater, once again for free with registration
 
Students and faculty members will present a grand finale show of staged opera scenes at the Adams Theater during CLA's Berkshire residency, which is devoted to mastering the artistry of Mozart's Italian Operas, during a free community production at 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 12.
 
CLA is dedicated to developing the talent of emerging professional opera singers and pianists. The organization's staff includes coaches, conductors, language instructors, stage designers and masterclass teachers from well-known opera theaters like La Scala, Covent Garden, and the Metropolitan Opera; they're deeply committed to guiding emerging opera singers to achieve their artistic potential by teaching vocal repertoire through the prism of language, culture, and history. 
 
More than 500 artists have participated in CLA programs over the years, from CLA's initial launch in Italy in 2009, followed by France in 2012 and the Berkshires in 2022. The CLA programs offer an intensive immersion into vocal repertoire, exploring the intricacies of musical style, vocal technique, and linguistic structures. 
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Cheshire Speed Limits Reduced, Code of Conduct Mulled

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

CHESHIRE, Mass. — Some streets will soon be slower for cars with the Department of Public Works replacing the speed limit signs in response to community concerns.

The town adopted Chapter 90, Section 17C to reduce some local road speed limits to 25 mph. Twenty-three streets are approved by the state; signs are ordered from the state Department of Transportation and should arrive within a couple weeks.

DPW Director Corey McGrath told the Selectmen at last Tuesday's meeting that the department had received concerns from residents wanting people to be slower on the following streets:

  • Church Street 
  • East Main Street 
  • portions of Wells Road 
  • Main Street 
  • Furnace Hill Road
  • Flaherty Road
  • Pit Road
  • Prospect Street 
  • Dean Street 
  • Richmond Street 
  • School Street 
  • Railroad Street 
  • Depot Street 
  • Richardson Street 
  • 5th Avenue
  • Meadowview Drive 
  • Wood Lane
  • Dean Street Extension 
  • portions of Ingalls Road 
  • Devonshire Drive 
  • Yorkshire Drive
  • Berkshire Drive 
  • Wilshire Drive 

Chair Michelle Francesconi asked McGrath to look into the signs solar-powered "slow down" signs. She also spoke about increasing problems with electric bicycles and similar devices.

Young people are going 30 to 40 mph, often on sidewalks, weaving between cars, cutting through private property and town property and riding in the road, she said, and brought up how other towns are creating bylaws to address these problems. Francesconi thought the board should look into it as well as a matter of public safety.

The state is currently revising related laws, so the board will see what the Legislature passes and then model bylaws on other communities.

Francesconi also said that since there is limited police coverage at night during most of the behavior, she suggested shifting some patrol hours to evenings to address youth riding behavior.

Later in the meeting, Francesconi also brought up code of conduct for town employees as she has been receiving numerous reports regarding professionalism, boundaries, confidentiality, and internal relationships and communication among town hall staff, department heads, and with the public.

She said town counsel has recommended adopting a code of conduct as well as providing training. After some discussion, the board decided to get a catalog of training options and identify mandatory and optional trainings. Members are also thinking of doing them in-person.

In other news, the Fire Department's rescue boat missing from the water because motor is broken and is in the process of being replaced.

There are two applicants in the running for the police chief position who will be doing the assessment center on Aug. 17. The Selectmen will get their resumes afterward and decide on interviews.

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