While New York City’s major opera houses go dark for the summer, opera enthusiasts are discovering a hidden gem in the Hudson Valley. Bard College’s SummerScape festival, hosted in the stunning Frank Gehry-designed Fisher Center in Annandale-on-Hudson, has become a must-visit destination for New Yorkers seeking extraordinary cultural experiences beyond the city limits.
This summer’s festival featured two rarely performed masterpieces that drew audiences from across the region: Meyerbeer’s “Le Prophète” and Berlioz’s “La damnation de Faust.” Under the artistic direction of Leon Botstein, these productions offered New Yorkers a chance to experience works they won’t find anywhere else in the metropolitan area.
Leon Botstein’s SummerScape
The season opened with “Le Prophète,” marking its first major U.S. production since the Metropolitan Opera’s performances in 1977 and ’79. Director Christian Räth’s modern reimagining of this 16th-century story proved remarkably timely, as he noted, “The piece unfortunately, feels very, very modern and rings a lot of bells for today.”
The festival culminated with Berlioz’s “La damnation de Faust,” featuring a stellar cast including Joshua Blue as Faust, Alfred Walker as Mephistopheles, and Sasha Cooke bringing her “radiant mezzo-soprano” to the role of Marguerite. Stefan Egerstrom “made the most of his tavern song about a rat, creating a funny and musically beautiful moment” as Brander.
The Venue
The Fisher Center, with its distinctive undulating stainless steel exterior, serves as more than just a performance space—it’s a destination in itself. The 900-seat Sosnoff Theater provides excellent acoustics for opera, while the building’s dramatic architecture offers perfect photo opportunities against the backdrop of the Hudson Valley landscape.
Why Go
While Lincoln Center and the Met may offer the standard repertoire, Bard SummerScape provides something different: a chance to discover overlooked masterpieces in an intimate setting. The American Symphony Orchestra and the Bard Festival Chorale deliver performances that rival anything you’ll hear in Manhattan, but in a more relaxed, summer festival atmosphere.
Getting There
The Fisher Center at Bard College is easily accessible from New York City:
- By car: A scenic two-hour drive up the Hudson River
- By train: Metro-North to Poughkeepsie, then a short ride to campus
- By bus: Direct service available during festival weekends
Where to Eat
The campus and surrounding area offer various dining options:
- Pre-performance dining at the Festival tent
- Local farm-to-table restaurants in nearby Rhinebeck and Red Hook
- Picnic opportunities on Bard’s scenic campus
Looking Ahead
Mark your calendars for next summer: Bard SummerScape will present Smetana’s rarely performed “Dalibor,” continuing its tradition of operatic discoveries. The festival’s commitment to unusual repertoire makes it a unique cultural destination for New Yorkers seeking to expand their operatic horizons.
Insider Tips
- Book tickets early, as productions often sell out
- Consider making a weekend of it—the Hudson Valley offers numerous attractions, from hiking trails to historic estates
- Take advantage of pre-performance talks to learn about these rare works
- Explore the campus before the show—the grounds offer spectacular views of the Catskill Mountains
The Bottom Line
While summer in the city has its charms, Bard SummerScape offers New Yorkers a compelling reason to venture north. The combination of world-class opera productions, stunning architecture, and the natural beauty of the Hudson Valley makes for an ideal cultural escape from the city heat.
The festival has established itself as more than just a substitute for New York City’s summer opera drought—it’s a destination in its own right, offering experiences you simply won’t find anywhere else in the region. As Botstein notes, these productions are part of a mission to “protect and revise the history of music from unjust obscurity,” making each visit not just a performance, but a discovery.
Whether you’re an opera aficionado or simply looking for a unique summer outing, Bard SummerScape proves that some of New York’s most exciting cultural experiences happen beyond the city limits. With its blend of innovative programming, architectural splendor, and bucolic setting, it’s a reminder that the Hudson Valley remains one of New York’s most vibrant cultural corridors.
