Bard SummerScape

Bard SummerScape presents the second of two jam-packed weekends dedicated to exploring the work of Camille Saint-Saëns. This weekend, called "Confronting Modernism," delves into the oeuvre of the late-period French Romantic composers. On Fri 17, pianists Daniel del Pino, Danny Driver, Anna Polonsky and others present a program of works by Saint-Saëns, Hahn, Debussy, Franck and Fauré. Sat 18 features "La musique ancienne et moderne" (1:30pm) and "The Spiritual Sensibility," dedicated to biblical settings by Saint-Saëns, Gounod, Fauré, Boulanger and Schmitt (8pm). On Sun 19, the Bard Festival Chamber Players and Chorale perform film music by Saint-Saëns and Berlioz (10am), followed by "Unexpected Correspondences," featuring music by Saint-Saëns, Debussy and Stravinsky (1:30pm). Henry VIII, a rarely performed opera by Saint-Saëns, ends the festival; it stars Ellie Dehn (soprano), Jennifer Holloway (mezzo) and John Tessier (tenor), and is accompanied by the American Symphony Orchestra conducted by Leo Botstein. See the website for details.