Internationally renowned violinist Soovin Kim will appear in Robison Hall at Middlebury College’s Mahaney Center for the Arts on Friday, Oct. 13 at 8 p.m. In anticipation of the release of his upcoming new solo Bach CD, he will perform Bach’s E major partita, G minor sonata, and a minor sonata for solo violin.
Kim’s many honors include the Paganini Competition first prize, an Avery Fisher Career Grant, and the Borletti-Buitoni Trust Award. Most of us in Vermont, however, know him as one of our region’s most famous musicians. Raised in Plattsburgh, N.Y., he was the youngest-ever musician to join the Vermont Youth Orchestra (at age 10). He maintains a close relationship with the famed Marlboro Music Festival, where he often spends his summers. Since 2009, he has served as co-artistic director of the acclaimed Lake Champlain Chamber Music Festival, held annually in Burlington.
He has performed in past seasons with the Philadelphia Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, Stuttgart Radio Symphony, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra, the Seoul Philharmonic and Accademia di Santa Cecilia Orchestra.
In addition to his career as a soloist, Kim also performs as the first violinist of the Johannes String Quartet. He is well known in Korea as a member of MIK, his groundbreaking piano quartet ensemble.
Tickets are $28 for the general public, and are on sale at 802-443-6433 or middlebury.edu/arts/tickets. The Mahaney Center is located at 72 Porter Field Road in Middlebury, just off Route 30 south, on the campus of Middlebury College. Free parking is available curbside on Route 30 or in the Center for the Arts parking lot.
DONIZETI’S BELOVED COMIC OPERA AT THT
The Opera Company of Middlebury enters its 15th season with a production of Donizetti’s famous comedy, “L’Elisir d’Amore” (The Elixir of Love), on Thursday, Oct. 12, at 7:30 p.m. Additional performances will be at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 13, and 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 14.
The fizzy romantic opera tells the story of a con artist who convinces a town that his strange concoction can cure any ill — and can even make other people fall in love with you. Tucked into the laughter is one of the most famous tenor arias of all time, the haunting ballad “Una furtiva lagrima.” All of the singers in leading roles have sung with the company before.
Douglas Anderson directs. Guest conductor Jeffrey Rink returns to the helm of the OCM Orchestra.  The Middlebury College Chorus will once again serve as the opera’s chorus, under the direction of Dr. Jeff Buettner.
Tickets range from $45 to $60, and may be purchased at towhalltheater.org, by calling or visiting the THT box office, 802-382-9222 (Monday-Saturday, noon to 5 p.m.), or at the door, if available.
BRANDON MUSIC BRINGS BACK THE TWANGTOWN PARAMOURS
The Twangtown Paramours will perform at Brandon Music on Saturday, Oct. 14, at 7:30 p.m.
The music of The Twangtown Paramours has been called “Sophisticated Americana,” and is a hybrid of the Nashville and Austin music scenes. This husband and wife acoustic duo is known for their well crafted and award-winning songs, top-notch lead singing and fine harmonies. They have opened for Joe Ely, Claire Lynch, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Carrie Newcomer and Kim & Reggie Harris, among others, and have performed at nationally recognized venues such as Uncle Calvin’s in Dallas, Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs, and the Bluebird Café in Nashville.
Concert tickets are $20. A pre-concert dinner is available for $25. Reservations are required for dinner and recommended for the show. Venue is BYOB. Call 802-247-4295 or e-mail [email protected] for reservations or for more information. Brandon Music is located at 62 Country Club Road in Brandon.
PETE’S POSSE IN LINCOLN
Pete’s Posse will be performing for the Burnham Music Series at Burnham Hall in Lincoln on Saturday, Oct. 14, at 7:30 p.m.
The well-known multi-instrumentalist and troubadour, Pete Sutherland, has decades of concert touring, teaching and studio production behind him. His all-Vermont “posse” includes his talented young fiddle protégé and fellow Clayfoot Strutter, Oliver Scanlon, and the dynamic accompanist Tristan Henderson, also of Atlantic Crossing and Pipers Den.
Featuring Pete’s rootsy songs, the band’s original and traditional fiddle music, and a few unique covers, this band provides a fine opportunity for an intimate listen to an ever-evolving musical friendship that spans generations.
Admission is $10 for adults, teens and kids admitted free. Burnham Hall has handicap access, and refreshments will be served. For more information, call 802-388-6863. Burnham Hall is located at 52 River Road in Lincoln. Doors open at 7 p.m.
TWO BROTHERS TAVERN
There will be three live musical performances this week at Two Brothers Tavern located at 86 Main Street 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.
Then, at 9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 13, Two Brothers presents Double Or Nothing, a duo from Southeastern Mass., who will tackle Bruce Springsteen, Dispatch, Prince, Dire Straits, Coldplay and numerous other classic acts. Be sure to catch their debut in the lounge. There is a $3 cover.
Finally, at 9 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 14, the Robin Gottfried Band takes to the Tavern’s stage. The band tears through tunes from artists including but not limited to Delbert McClinton, Stevie Wonder, the Neville Brothers, Steely Dan and Eric Clapton. There is a $3 cover. For more information, call 802-388-0002.
INTERNATIONAL FILM SERIES
The 2017-2018 Hirschfield International Film Series continues on Saturday, Oct. 14, at Middlebury College with the 2017 Iran/France film, “The Salesman,” directed by Asghar Farhadi.
After their old flat becomes damaged, Emad (Shahab Hosseini) and Rana (Taraneh Alidoosti), a young couple living in Tehran, are forced to move into a new apartment. However, once relocated, a sudden eruption of violence linked to the previous tenant of their new home dramatically changes the couple’s life, creating a simmering tension between husband and wife.
Winner: Best Screenplay (Farhadi); Best Actor (Shahab Hosseini) at the Cannes Film Festival in 2016.
The film, in Persian and English with English subtitles, will be shown at 3 and again at 8 p.m. in Dana Auditorium on College Street (Route 125). It’s free. Some of the films in this series may be inappropriate for children.
COCOON AT COLLEGE
Cocoon returns to Middlebury College at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 14, in Robison Hall at the Mahaney Center for the Arts.
Inspired by the popular storytelling phenomenon the Moth, Cocoon is a special evening of true stories told live without notes. This fifth-annual community-wide event is produced by the creators of the Middlebury Moth-UP in partnership with the Mahaney Center for the Arts. A reception with the storytellers follows.
Tickets: $15 General public, Visit middlebury.edu/arts or call 802-443-3168.