Attending the Caramoor Opening Night Gala With my Nephew, Christopher Herbert
Last Saturday, June 23rd, was the opening night gala of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, at Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts, right near my home in Katonah, New York. I asked my nephew, Christopher Herbert, to join me for the evening. Chris, a very talented musician, knows a great deal about classical music and is always a wonderful companion at musical events. Caramoor is a 90-acre estate where Lucie and Walter Rosen built an Italianate-style villa and gardens to entertain their friends from around the world. In 1946, the Rosens opened their property as a performing arts center with a concert series that soon evolved into the Caramoor International Music Festival. Felix Mendelssohn began his masterful incidental music to A Midsummer Night’s Dream as a teenager, when he composed the Overture. Only a few years before his death did he complete the incidental music, which includes the world-famous Wedding March.
1 Opening night at Caramoor, Katonah's wonderful music festival, is always a festive affair. Here I am with James Attwood - Chairman-of-the Board of Caramoor and Congresswomen Nita Lowey (D, NY18th) and her husband Steve.
2 The theme of the evening was 'ethereal' to go along with the program: Mendelssohn's incidental music to A Midsummer Night's Dream, his great opus.
3 I took as my guest my talented musician nephew, Christopher Herbert, who is currently a member of the foursome, New York Polyphony, one of the world’s finest vocal chamber ensembles. http://www.newyorkpolyphony.com/ This was our table card.
4 Paul Rosenblum, Managing Director of Caramoor, was our MC for the evening. Here he was introducing James Attwood, Caramoor's newly elected Chairman-of-the-Board.
5 Jim Attwood, a partner at The Carlyle Group in NYC, is a personable and knowledgeable music aficionado who loves Caramoor. A resident in the Bedford area for more than 18 years, Jim has an intense interest in music and in providing great live music to the community.
6 Jim's message was about wisdom and its importance, personified by the wise old owl. This one, a magnificent Eurasian eagle owl called Boo, was handled by falconer, Jen Pena. Anyone who gave $500 that evening, would get their photo taken with Boo.
7 The outgoing General Director of Caramoor, MIchael Barrett, got up to speak alongside Judy Evnin, Caramoor Chairman Emerita.
8 Dinner under the tent by Great Performances: First Course - Spring Vegetable Collection of Spinach Labne, Herb Blossoms, Green Olive Croutons; Dinner - Beef Tenderloin, Olive Tapenade, Steel Cut Oat Rizotto, Roasted Market Asparagus, Balsamic Jus; Dessert - Fresh Fruit Parfait with Light Cream and Chocolate Tuile Petit Fours
9 Three vibrant trumpets announced that the concert would begin shortly.
10 Diners got up and moved to the Venetian Pavilion to hear the music. Another whimsical centerpiece - the gala flowers were done by Ned Kelly & Co.
11 And another
12 Even another
13 On my way to the concert, I met up with Alexander Bernstein, the son of Leonard Bernstein. He is president of The Bernstein Family Foundation, and founding chairman of The Leonard Bernstein Center For Learning.
14 Here I am with Michael Barrett, who gave Caramoor a decade of exemplary leadership. He will step down at the close of Caramoor’s 2012 Summer Festival in August and will return to Caramoor in 2013 as a pianist, mentor and conductor.
15 My nephew, Chris and Michael Barrett met for the first time and had so much to talk about.
16 The gala tent
17 Falconer Jennifer Pena with Boo, the owl - Jennifer, who learned the art and science of falconry from her father, has been presenting educational programs since she was a teen.
18 The Eurasian eagle owl is one of the largest species of owls. Jennifer and her raptors - falcons, hawks, and owls - take part in Caramoor's 'A Day in the Renaissance' educational program, teaching the history, habits, characteristics, and behaviors of raptors.
19 Caramoor, the legacy of Walter and Lucie Rosen, established the estate and built a great house as its centerpiece, filling it with treasures collected on their travels. Walter Rosen was the master planner, bringing to reality his dream of creating a place to entertain friends from around the world.
20 Their legendary musical evenings were the seeds of today’s International Music Festival that is held annually on the estate.
21 This stucco restroom building, with its red-tiled roof, was built in the Mediterranean style of the historic Rosen House at Caramoor.
22 The Play Group Theatre in White Plains, New York, provided enchanting fairies, who directed the guests towards the concert space.
23 More of the whimsical decorations
24 Posing with Jack Marczak, my friend and neighbor Peter Michaelis, and Mary Ann Hawley - on Caramoor Board of Trustees (Jack's aunt)
25 More pretty fairies
26 It was becoming dusk as we found our way to the theater.
27 The inside of the Venetian pavilion - We had wonderful seats to see the performance, which was excellent, with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s onstage and Roberto Abbado conducting.
28 The Theater is set around Greek and Roman pink marble columns, topped by Venetian arches and protected by a billowy, light-filtering tent. The seats are very comfortable.
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
Martha, you look great in your white lace.
I hope all of you enjoyed yourselves while there.
Gloria G
Posted by: Gloria | June 26th, 2012 at 12:28 am
Loved your 'dream' of a dress, Martha...so pretty, summery and romantic! Easy to see that it was a wonderful musical evening to share with your extraordinarily talentented nephew.
Such a beautiful evening set in a beautiful estate...and i love the well landscaped restroom.
Posted by: Sherey | June 26th, 2012 at 12:59 am
Martha, these pictures are so good and you are lovely. You have taught us all much about LIVING our dreams and the magic of music.
Posted by: ann | June 26th, 2012 at 5:02 am
You are my first blog, I live in the Midwest and you always bring me up to date what is happening in NY for me. Thank you for always taking your readers on your wonderful journeys. I got to experience a fun evening like you are having in Chichester, UK.
Posted by: ga447 | June 26th, 2012 at 7:52 am
Hi Martha, How fun to see this special event in Katonah at the Caramoor Opening Night Gala especially with your handsome nephew, Christopher Herbert! I love seeing and reading about not only Alexis and your two grandkids, but any of your delightful nieces and nephews who are very special! Laura, you must be so proud of your three adorable children who are absolutely brilliant and fantastic at all the things they do!!! Sure was fun to see all of these terrific photos at that great event and I love them all! You looked so lovely and happy and thanks for introducing us to more of the people that you know! Sure was fun to hear you 'live' on Sirius RadioXM110 again yesterday! Love to hear your great answers to all of the questions that come in-I learn a lot just by listening! Hope you have another great day! Off to see F&S shopping for cat litter for your beautiful kitties! They have more fun helping out all of you other animals at your wonderful Bedford farm! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | June 26th, 2012 at 8:57 am
Martha,
Thanks for sharing this blog.
Posted by: KLBrown | June 26th, 2012 at 9:20 am
Hi Martha,
I just finished reading this blog and then I noticed your tweet posted on this page about you being at the Forbes 400 Summit on philanthropy. I think your calendar would make me dizzy just to look at it. You are always somewhere doing something and you never look tired or act it either from what I can see in your pictures. But like I’ve said before, I’m glad you enjoy doing things, lots of things, so you can report back to us. I haven’t been to any classical music concerts that I can recall so it’s always nice to learn about places such as Caramoor through your blog. I usually watch music specials on PBS or listen on Youtube which of course isn’t quite as vibrant as a live concert. Caramoor has quite a line-up for the summer and ticket prices are reasonable. I like that they have picnic lawns so families can bring their children to some of the events and couples can even plan their wedding there if they want. It is commendable that you help support so many wonderful places such as Caramoor. I learn more about you every day through your many blogs and I think you’re a gem. Trish
Posted by: Trish | June 26th, 2012 at 10:51 am
Hi Martha,
As a native of the Hudson Valley, I am thrilled to see your post about Caramoor. It truly is a treasure of New York state. Coincidentally, the gala flowers were done by Ned Kelly & Co., and my mother Angela is one of the lead designers. She is truly a master of her craft, and I hope you enjoyed the ambiance!
Posted by: DeAnna | June 26th, 2012 at 8:31 pm
Martha, thanks for sharing the photo of Eurasian Eagle Owl, Boo and falconer Jennifer Pena in your blog. They have been a part of Caramoor for many years.
Posted by: Flight of the Raptor | June 26th, 2012 at 9:19 pm
Dearest Martha,
What can one say, Beautiful!!! Thank you for sharing the pictures. It looks like everyone was having a wonderful time. The OWL was amazing. The flower arrangements were breath-taking. I would love to attend something like that.
May your day be filled with all wonderful things.
Respectfully,
Cindy
Posted by: Cindy | June 27th, 2012 at 8:41 am
Hi Martha!
I was in the ladies' chorus that night! We were thrilled to hear you were in the audience.
Posted by: Rachel Barker | June 27th, 2012 at 9:14 am
So happy to see that Martha enjoyed the atmosphere created by Ned Kelly and Co. based in Piermont.
Being part of the Co. I can say it was a true pleasure designing for this wonderful event.
So great to know it was enjoyed by the guest!
Posted by: Kim deJong | June 27th, 2012 at 10:24 am
Dear Martha,
Thank you for spreading the word about Caramoor and the great music they present.
I am flattered that you enjoyed the decor.
Ned
Posted by: Ned Kelly | June 27th, 2012 at 4:18 pm
I just went to Caramoor with my son and his class. I am glad you also enjoyed the unique and impressive atmosphere. I am a local children's author from the area and so happy when the beauty of our community is recognized. Thanks!
Posted by: Laura Nadler Scott | June 27th, 2012 at 10:01 pm
Hi Martha,
You said you're filming your new PBS show, which I'm looking forward to. Are you having guests? Will you be cooking with others? I have an interest.
Aaron
Posted by: Aaron | June 28th, 2012 at 11:13 am
Many thanks for the entertaining write up.
My wife and I also love how you have your blog site arranged.
The site is simply carefully structured..
Posted by: Whaddya think? | June 28th, 2012 at 5:39 pm
Lovely lace.......where did this come from?????? Would love to find out where to find some of Martha's lovely outfits.....
Posted by: Betsy | June 29th, 2012 at 11:01 am