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A Shakespearean summer morning: Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Saturday mornings in August are for iced coffee, patios, and maybe a little Shakespeare magic. This Saturday at 9 a.m., we’re bringing midsummer enchantment straight to your speakers with the complete incidental music for A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Felix Mendelssohn.
Why now? Well, we’re in the middle of summer, and there’s no better time to wander into the forest with fairies, mischief, and music that sparkles like morning sunlight through the trees.
And what a performance it is! We’ve got:
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The Boston Symphony Orchestra, delivering all the richness and shimmer Mendelssohn’s score deserves.
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The Tanglewood Festival Chorus, giving full voice to the fairies’ chorus.
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Seiji Ozawa on the podium, conjuring the magic with his trademark flair.
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Frederica von Stade, the celebrated mezzo-soprano, adding warmth and elegance.
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Kathleen Battle, a soprano with a voice as bright as fairy dust.
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And none other than Dame Judi Dench narrating—because who better to guide us through Shakespeare’s world than one of the greatest actors of our time?
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So, whether you’re flipping pancakes, tending the garden, or just enjoying a slow summer morning, tune in at 9 a.m. and let Mendelssohn whisk you off into a dreamland of mischievous sprites, star-crossed lovers, and one unforgettable donkey-headed weaver.
Because honestly, what’s summer without a little midsummer night’s magic? ✨