Opera Meets Hollywood at Ventfort Hall

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LENOX, Mass. — The Prima Music Foundation's returns to Ventfort Hall with their popular Opera Meets Hollywood concert on Thursday, Aug. 21 at 5:30 pm.

This special evening at Ventfort Hall, presented by Anastasia Dedik Prima Music Foundation Artistic Director, features a blend of opera, musical theater, and iconic piano works from film.

Anastasia Dedik founded the Prima Music Foundation, Prima Music Academy, and the Prima Music Institute & Festival Summer Camp that is held every summer in Berkshires. Her students have performed at Carnegie Hall and won top national and international awards. She is an internationally acclaimed pianist

Dedik welcomes soprano Jeanne Gérard, a special guest from Paris, France, reuniting with pianist Anastasia Dedik, her longtime collaborator from their years at The Juilliard School and the Manhattan School of Music.

This concert also marks the Prima Music Foundation debut of soprano Sadiyah Babatunde.

PMF and Artistic Director Anastasia Dedik present young pianists from the Foundation; Artois Sancho, Opal Garg and Dylan Conuel, who recently participated in the 2025 Prima Music Institute and Festival held at the Berkshire Music School. 

Tickets are $45 general admission. Reservations are required as seats are limited. For reservations visit https://gildedage.org/pages/calendar or call (413) 637-3206. Note that all tickets are nonrefundable and non-exchangeable. The historical mansion is located at 104 Walker Street in Lenox.

 

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Reps. Leigh Davis, Bud Williams Filing Legislation Honoring Freeman

SHEFFIELD, Mass. — State Reps. Leigh Davis of the 3rd Berkshire District and Bud L. Williams, of the 11th Hampden District, are filing legislation establishing Aug. 22 as Elizabeth Freeman Day of Equality, Healing, and Remembrance in the commonwealth.
 
The legislation would direct the governor to annually issue a proclamation recognizing the courageous contributions of Elizabeth Freeman, an enslaved Black woman known as Mum Bett, whose landmark freedom suit helped spark the legal end of slavery in Massachusetts.
 
"Elizabeth Freeman's story began here in the Berkshires, but its impact reached every corner of the commonwealth," said Davis. "More than two centuries later, her legacy continues to inspire us. Establishing Elizabeth Freeman Day will ensure that future generations learn not only about her extraordinary bravery, but also about the power of one person to change the course of history."
 
In 1781, Freeman, of Sheffield at the time, challenged the institution of slavery by filing suit against her enslaver, Col. John Ashley. In the landmark case Brom and Bett v. Ashley, a Berkshire County jury ruled in favor of Freeman and her fellow plaintiff, Brom, granting them their freedom. The case demonstrated the power of the Massachusetts Constitution's declaration that all people are born free and equal and helped pave the way for the Quock Walker decisions that ultimately ended slavery in the commonwealth. 
 
"Freeman's courage changed the course of history in Massachusetts," said Williams. "At a time when the odds were stacked against her, she stood up and demanded that the promises of liberty and equality contained in our Constitution apply to her as well. She risked everything to challenge an unjust system, and her victory helped lay the foundation for the end of slavery in our commonwealth. Her legacy deserves to be recognized and remembered by every resident of Massachusetts."
 
Although unable to read or write, Freeman understood the meaning of freedom and equality and took extraordinary action to secure those rights for herself and others. Her story remains one of the most powerful examples of individual courage in the face of injustice. 
 
Elizabeth Freeman Day will provide an opportunity for reflection, education, healing, and remembrance, said Williams. 
 
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