Amy Krzanik reports from Lenox. It was a memorable afternoon for many reasons on Sunday, June 15, as Close Encounters with Music (CEWM) held a very special all-Dvořák concert at Tanglewood's Ozawa Hall. The Father's Day event was dedicated to the memory of Jack Fontaine, a great supporter of the arts, including Close Encounters of which he was a dear friend. Mezzo-soprano Kelley O'Connor made her Berkshire debut singing Dvořák’s Biblical Songs, Gypsy Songs and “Song to the Moon" from Rusalka. Dvořák wrote Biblical Songs following the deaths of two of his close friends and the added news of his father's terminal illness. The composer sought comfort in his faith and out of that came some of his most spiritual music. Gateways Inn held a post-concert dinner for CEWM supporters and the afternoon's musicians, including O'Connor, pianist Roman Rabinovich, violinist David McCarroll, violist Xiao-Dong Wang and CEWM founder and artistic director, cellist Yehuda Hanani, shown above with Marcie Setlow, Close Encounters' board president.
Helene Berger with the afternoon's featured performer, mezzo-soprano Kelley O'Connor, and Christian Campos; Jack Fontaine's daughters, Amy Fontaine and Lizanne Fontaine, with Mete Kok and Robert Buckholz.
Betsy and Jonas Dovydenas with Leslie Gold; Monica Sinclair and Brian Hailes, music lovers from Lenox.
Mark Cannon and Marcia Levy; Pianist Roman Rabinovich, Blaise Dejardin and violinist David McCarroll.
Johanna Janssen, Yehuda Hanani and Betty Fontaine, wife of the late Jack Fontaine.
CEWM's Director of Marketing and PR Pamela Dreyfus Smith with marketing assistant Lauren Sottile; Benjamin Hanani and Aaron Charney.
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Matteline deVries-Dilling, founder of Lite Brite Neon, one of the evening's honoree of this year's Upstate Benefit adresses the gala from the Caboose's caboose.
- Karen Pearson. Courtesy Art Omi.
Olana senior vice president and landscape curatorMark Prezorski, president Sean Sawyer, The evenings honoree Kristin Gamble and New York State Assemblymember Didi Barrett.
- Oxygen House Photo
