“Seasons” Finale: Vivaldi & Bach Conclude Aston Magna’s 43rd Season June 16-18

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Despite summer’s classical music riches in Boston, the Hudson Valley and the Berkshires, no season would be complete without the intimate Aston Magna Festival, which concludes its 43rd season this year with the treasured “Four Seasons” of Vivaldi, and vocal works by two musical Bachs.

With its intimate performance settings, appropriate for intimate early music played on period instruments, Aston Magna’s niche in the summer music season is well-established and beautifully orchestrated under the direction of Artistic Director Daniel Stepner.

The curtains rise on “Eternal Seasons” on July 16 at 7 p.m. at Slosberg Auditorium, Brandeis University; Friday, July 17 at Olin Hall, Bard College, and in the grande finale performance Saturday, July 18 at 8 p.m. at the historic Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center venue in the Berkshires, in Great Barrington, Mass.

Mezzo-soprano Deborah Rentz-Moore will perform vocal works by J.S. Bach and Johann Christoph Bach, a Bach family cousin. Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons”  features a different violinist for each “season,” including the award-winning Edson Scheid, along with Julie Leven, Danielle Maddon and Daniel Stepner, accompanied by the Aston Magna baroque ensemble.

Aston Magna’s Artistic Direct Daniel Stepner offers a pre-concert talk one hour before each concert. The Great Barrington event is followed by a wine and cheese reception with the artists.

Based in Great Barrington, Aston Magna is concluding its 43rd season as the nation’s oldest summer festival of early music, which is dedicated to early music works played on authentic period instruments.

In addition to Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons,” the ensemble performs J.S. Bach Cantata “Wiederstehe doch der

Sünde” and J.S. Bach Concerto in D Minor; and Johann Christoph Bach, Motet “Ach, daß ich Wassers g’nug hätte.”

Tickets and information: astonmagna.org; order by phone at 888-492-1283. Discounts for students, “under 30s,” and children under 12 are free with a paying adult.
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