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Founded in 2019, The X-tet is Boston Baroque's premier period instrument chamber ensemble. The “X” represents the fluidity of the number of players involved, depending on the concert. Drawing membership from Boston Baroque’s world-renowned orchestra roster, this program's players include concertmaster Christina Day Martinson, assistant concertmaster Jesse Irons, and principal players Sarah Darling, Cullen O'Neil, and Jonathan Hess, with visiting artist Daniel Zuluaga.
The Sounds from Spain program explores the vibrant, dance-driven musical traditions of Spain, from the Baroque to contemporary compositions. The repertoire covers emotional extremes and infectious rhythms, centering on Folias, Tarantellas, and love songs, while showcasing both historical masterpieces and modern interpretations. Highlights include Durón’s passionate arias and Barcelona-born composer Olivia Pérez-Collellmir’s contemporary “Tangos a Mompou” and “Granada.” Traditional Sephardic folk songs and festive Spanish dances interweave throughout, creating a rich tapestry of Iberian music past and present.
Curated by Christina Day Martinson, Boston Baroque’s Associate Artistic Director, this program celebrates the expressive spirit, rhythmic vitality, and cross-cultural and cross-generational resonance of Spain's musical heritage, brought to life by Boston Baroque’s chamber ensemble.
“We are thrilled to welcome Boston Baroque to Chesterwood as part of our ArtsAlive! performance series,” says Chesterwood’s Executive Director Miguel Rodriguez. “Boston Baroque holds a special place in my heart, having had the privilege of serving as its Executive Director for several years. It is especially meaningful to bring this extraordinary ensemble to Chesterwood, where music, history, and art come together in such a beautiful setting. I know our audiences are in for an unforgettable evening and a world-class performance.”
Estimated Run Time: 1 hr 15 min – No Intermission
Upcoming ArtsAlive! Programs
All events will take place at 5:30 PM unless otherwise noted.
July 26: Close Encounters with Music presents the Berkshire High Peaks Festival at 3:00 PM
An ensemble of talented young international string players, pianists, vocalists, and faculty present a dynamic program featuring works by Beethoven (Two Scottish Folk Songs, for voice and piano trio), Dvo?ák's String Quartet No. 10 in E-flat Major, Op. 51 performed by the Dakiti String Quartet, Vaughan Williams's "Is My Team Ploughing" from On Wenlock Edge, and Zoltán Kodály's Duo for Violin and Piano, along with additional vocal and faculty performances.
July 31: Latin Jazz with Richard Peña Trio
Puerto Rican guitarist Richard Peña intricately blends the traditional sounds of Afro-Caribbean music with the modern raw energy of jazz and bebop improvisation through his guitar’s warm and cutting sound. In addition to his latest 2025 album, The Latin Side Of Jazz Guitar, he has recorded five award-winning albums.
August 1: Boston Baroque’s The X-tet performs Sounds from Spain
This subset of the GRAMMY® Award-nominated period instrument ensemble Boston Baroque makes its debut at Chesterwood with music from the Spanish Baroque and arrangements by Spanish composer Olivia Pérez-Collellmir, joined by tenor Karim Sulayman.
August 4: Artists’ Gardens in New England with author and garden Designer Jana Milbocker at 4:30 PM
Some of our most beloved painters, sculptors, and authors were inspired by the gardens they created. Their New England gardens were a dynamic form of artistic expression, and we are fortunate to be able to visit them today. After a tour of the recently restored studio garden, enjoy an armchair tour of the private havens of Edith Wharton, Julian Alden Weir, Childe Hassam, Emily Dickinson, Augustus Saint-Gaudens, Celia Thaxter and others in Daniel Chester French's Berkshires estate.
August 5: We (too) the People: Voices from the New England Poetry Club
The New England Poetry Club returns to Chesterwood for a second program of poetry by NEPC members. Tim Mayo’s poetry collections include Muscle Memories of Love and Disaster, published in March 2026 by Bainbridge Island Press. Pamela Wax is the author of Every Single Beast of My Heart (Sheila-Na-Gig, 2026) and previous collections including Walking the Labyrinth (Main Street Rag, 2022), and Starter Mothers (Finishing Line Press, 2023).
August 6: Pablo Casals, a cellist in exile – A conversation with historian and journalist Pedro Reina-Pérez
When Pablo Casals first set foot in Puerto Rico in 1955 – his mother’s native land – his life took a dramatic turn. One hundred years later, Pablo Casals scholar Pedro Reina-Pérez, takes us into a deep examination of the artistic journey after Casals’ exile.
August 7: Opera Night! – American Music from the Operatic Stage An evening featuring American opera repertory with soprano Emily Misch, baritone Evan Bravos, and pianist Christopher James Ray.
August 12: The Bel Canto Duo in Concert – The Making of a Master
The dynamic husband and wife duo of Darci Gamerl and David Downing returns to Chesterwood after a one-month music composition residency last season. This summer they will present The Making of a Master inspired by Daniel Chester French.
August 15: Sherman Chamber Ensemble with Mezzo-Soprano Sandra Piques Eddy and guest violinist Victoria Lewis
Artistic director, cellist, composer and teacher Eliot Bailen returns to Chesterwood this season in a program for string quartet that will include Samuel Barber’s Dover Beach and Ottorino Respighi’s Il Tramonto for mezzo-soprano. The ensemble will feature mezzo-soprano Sandra Piques-Eddy and violinist Victoria Lewis.
August 18: Music and the Mind with Mark Shapiro – Part 2
Last season the witty and “insightful” (The New York Times) American conductor Mark Shapiro took us on a tour of recent thinking about the musical mind, exploring how we perceive, process and respond to music. In two follow-up sessions this summer, Maestro Shapiro recapitulates this material and applies it to classic repertoire, with demonstrations from Beethoven’s groundbreaking Symphony No.1. Participants will enjoy and benefit from attending either or both sessions.
August 19: Harold Holzer on Lincoln’s Favorite Music
Harold Holzer is joined by a special guest singer to present Lincoln’s favorite music. Holzer is a scholar of Abraham Lincoln and the political culture of the American Civil War era, and is the author of Monument Man: The Life and Art of Daniel Chester French.
August 20: Classic Meets Jazz with pianist Anastasia Dedik and saxophonist George Michael
This concert features classical repertoire performed by Anastasia Dedik, followed by a 30-minute jazz set with saxophonist George Michael.
August 27: Great Barrington Public Theater – Ten Minute Plays
In partnership with Great Barrington Public Theater, Chesterwood welcomes Artistic Director Jim Frangione for a series of ten-minute plays.
September 6 at 3 p.m.: Salsa Dance Party at Chesterwood with Manolo Mairena and his Salsa Band, featuring the Salsa y Control Dancers
Closing the season is a Salsa Dance Party featuring singer-songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Costa Rican artist Manolo Mairena, whose captivating music and dynamic stage presence have garnered him an international following.
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