The Middlebury College German School’s “German for Singers” presents “Das Serail,” a medley of popular “Seraglio-operas” from the 18th century, featuring music by Gluck, Haydn, Mozart and Weber at 8:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday at Middlebury’s Town Hall Theater.
Though modern audiences around the globe might only be familiar with Mozart’s “The Abduction from the Seraglio,” the setting of the oriental seraglio and stories of abducted Europeans at the mercy of middle-eastern despots abounded in the 17th and 18th centuries and inspired composers to experiment with imagined Middle Eastern sound impressions and effects.
This opera project will closely follow Mozart’s famous plot line but also explore the spectrum of musical exoticism, created through the lens of 18th-century European aesthetics that C.W. Gluck and J. Haydn pioneered prominently before Mozart entered the stage.
The performances are in German, with a brief pre-performance lecture in English at 7:45 p.m.
A limited number of $15 tickets will be available for guests who are not College ID holders. College ID holders will need to present their ID cards for free entrance. A reception with cash bar will be held in the Byers Studio after the Saturday performance.
POINT COUNTERPOINT CHAMBER MUSIC 
On Friday, at 7:30 p.m., the Salisbury Congregational Church will host a chamber concert by the faculty ensemble of the Point Counterpoint Music Camp under Music Director Randy Hiller. Their concert will include Beethoven’s String Quartet Op. 18 No. 5; Webern’s Langsamer Satz; and Mozart’s E flat Piano Quartet K493.
These talented young professionals from the camp’s late summer session hail from leading musical programs ranging from Baltimore’s Peabody Institute to Salzburg’s Mozarteum. Their performance venues have included the Oriveto Festival, Tanglewood, Florida Pro Musica, the New World Symphony, the Bournemouth Music Festival, the Philadelphia Orchestra, Banff, Warsaw and St. Petersburg.
This will be the final event in Salisbury’s 37th Summer Performance Series at the historic, but handicapped accessible, 1838 church in Salisbury Village. Although there is no admission charge, a free-will donation in support of the series will be appreciated. Any receipts in excess of the expenses for the series will be applied to the continued restoration of Salisbury’s landmark steeple.
TWO BROTHERS TAVERN
There will be four live musical performances this week at Two Brothers Tavern located at 86 Main St. in Middlebury.
Join Two Brothers every Wednesday, at 9 p.m., for the Open Mic, an evening of music, comedy or anything else. Alternately hosted by Mark Sikora and Kai Stanley, come cheer on your friends or let loose on the stage. It’s free to enter, and there is no cover charge.
At 9 p.m. on Thursday, Two Brothers presents Bella’s Bartok, an extremely exciting seven-piece, multi-instrumentalist, groove-making, extra-ordinary band from Northampton, Mass. Don’t miss them. There is a $3 cover.
Then, at 6 p.m. on Friday, catch the early show with Papa Greybeard of Moonschein, who returns to the lounge for a solo set of acoustic Blues, Folk, and classic Americana. There is no cover.
Finally, at 9 p.m. on Friday, the Vergennes-based band Twist Of Fate return to the lounge providing you with the rock fix you were searching for. There is a $3 cover. For more information, call 388-0002.
 LC JAZZ AT LINCOLN PEAK 
On Friday, from 6 to 8 p.m., LC Jazz will perform at Lincoln Peak Vineyard in New Haven.
LC Jazz, a 17-piece “big band,” is back for their fourth show-stopping evening at Lincoln Peak Vineyard. The ensemble has been playing Jazz standards from the big band era — Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Sammy Nestico, and other swing jazz greats — for 20 years. The band is a Vergennes-based non-profit organization and sponsors music scholarships at our three area high schools: MUHS, MAUHS and VUHS. Don’t forget your dancing shoes!
As with all Wine Down Friday shows, the “doors” open at 5:30 p.m. for picnicking. Food will be for sale by Almost Home, and wine by the glass.
Admission is free. Bring lawn chairs or a picnic blanket. The Wine Down Friday series happens rain or shine—there’s room on the winery porch in the case of rain. No alcohol may be brought onto the grounds, and please leave your pets at home. Lincoln Peak Vineyard is located at 142 River Road in New Haven. More information is at lincolnpeakvineyard.com.
THEY MIGHT BE GYPSIES 
They Might Be Gypsies plays high-energy, uplifting music with tremendous passion. They weave together the traditional sounds of early 20th century France with modern influences from Argentina to Barcelona. At the core, the group is comprised of father and son duo, Greg and Aidan Ryan, both exceptional guitarists. Hear the duo at Brandon Music on Saturday, at 7:30 p.m.
The duo’s debut album came out in 2010 to rave reviews and was chosen by The Times Argus as Vermont’s Best Instrumental Album of the Year. The Times Argus said it is “Intense, thoughtful and spirited music played very well.”
Concert tickets are $20. A pre-concert dinner is available for $25. Reservations are recommended for the show and required for dinner. Venue is BYOB. Call 247-4295 or e-mail [email protected] for reservations or for more information. Brandon Music is located at 62 Country Club Road in Brandon.
LIVE MUSIC AT 51 MAIN
There will be three live musical events this week at Middlebury’s 51 Main. At 8 p.m. on Thursday, the Avant-Guarde Dogs will perform. With twin rock guitars, harmony vocals and world-music percussion, the Avant-Garde Dogs put their own spin on danceable music by great songwriters.
Then, at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Dave Richardson takes to the stage. Richardson is a Folk singer-songwriter based in New England. He weaves threads of Folk, Country, and traditional music to create his own sound.
Finally, at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, the Jeff Salisbury Band will entertain. This quartet of Vermont Blues veterans has the experience, energy, and grit to truly bring it to the music they love.
All ages, no cover. For additional information visit www.go51main.com or phone 388-8209.
LANDSCAPE EXHIBIT AT JACKSON GALLERY
A new exhibit of oil painting by Bonnie Baird, “As the Crow Flies,” opens at the Jackson Gallery in Middlebury’s Town Hall Theater on Friday with an artist’s reception from 5 to 7 p.m.
Baird paints the landscape that surrounds and holds her. She was raised on a 730-acre dairy farm in Vermont. She and her husband Robert are the third generation to own and work their dairy and maple farm. This outdoor experience has given her a deep connection with the land. Working in the natural environment every day in every kind of weather allows her to truly feel the horizon; warm or cool, dark or light, intimate or expansive.
The exhibit, which runs through Sept. 25, is free. The Jackson Gallery is located in the lower level of Town Hall Theater, located in the center of Middlebury. Gallery hours are Monday through Saturday noon to five, and an hour before any public events in the building. For further information, call 382-9222 or visit townhalltheater.org.
RORY JACKSON AT EDGEWATER 
Middlebury’s Edgewater Gallery on the Green is pleased to announce its featured solo exhibition for the month of August: “Rory Jackson – All in One County.” There will be an opening reception on Friday, from 5 to 7 p.m. Refreshments will be served.
The paintings included in this body of work represent the journey from the mountains of Lincoln down to the edge of Lake Champlain, depicting scenes that move the viewer through the open fields and dramatic clouds of Addison County. Area residents will delight in seeing familiar scenes, and visitors are sure to appreciate how quintessentially Vermont Jackson’s paintings truly are.
The works will be on view during the month of August. For further information, please call 989-7419, email [email protected] or visit edgewatergallery-vt.com.
CARILLON SERIES
The Middlebury College Summer Carillon Series continues its 31st year of concerts with a 5 p.m. performance on Friday in Mead Chapel by George Matthew Jr., carillonneur for both Middlebury College and Norwich University. He will be playing a program of Scandinavian and Irish carillon music. Enjoy the sounds of the carillon bells from inside the chapel or, weather permitting, on the surrounding lawns. The free series continues every Friday through August.