The college's annual SummerScape festival begins this weekend, kicking off seven weeks of opera, music, theater, dance, film, and cabaret in a riverside spectacular setting. This year marks the 27th rendition of the seasonal celebration, with performances exploring the life and times of famed Italian opera composer Giacomo Puccini.
The festival begins this Friday evening with world premier of 'Fantasque', a dance performance choreographed by John Heginbotham and puppeteer Amy Trompetter. The duo seeks to create an innovative new ballet for audiences of all ages. In the performance, guests are treated to giant puppets and human dancers joining forces in a battle between light and darkness. The fantastical cast of characters includes giant babies, blue angels, devils, rats, and a restaurant where the customers are tuxedo-wearing fish.
The musical score was compiled by Ottorino Respighi and Gioachino Rossini, a 19th century contemporary of Giacomo Puccini.
Fantasque will be held in the Sosnoff Theater at Bard's Fisher Center on Friday July 1, 7:30 p.m., Saturday July 2 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday July 3, 2 p.m.
Tickets are $25 to $60 and discounts of 20 percent are applied to parties purchasing three or more tickets. To learn more, visit Bard's website. Tickets can be purchased here.