What does the Seagle Music Colony have planned for their upcoming season? A delightful mix of old favorites and rare classics.

Oscar Seagle, world-renowned baritone, established this prestigious school for vocalists in 1915. It is still the oldest summer singer training program in the country. Their performance schedule is a tuneful part of a Schroon Lake summer.

The favorites

The musical "Mame" has been a Broadway classic since 1966. The close of the 2018 mainstage season will be the first time Seagle Music Colony performs this popular musical. It follows the adventures of the madcap Auntie Mame and her orphaned nephew amidst the Great Depression.

As seen above, Seagle keeps the costumes and stagecraft authentic to the time period of the work they are performing. This period piece will be sure to feature the luxurious style of its flamboyant lead character, Auntie Mame, and her joyful approach to life.

The production will be performed August 15, 16, and 18 at 8 p.m., and August 17 at 2 p.m. The Colony describes the show as a "surefire favorite for young and old."

Every year there is a free Boathouse production for children, and this year it is the children’s opera, "Billy Goats Gruff." The opera—about the drawbacks of bullying—can be enjoyed by any age. It transforms the traditional fairy tale with the music of Mozart, Donizetti, and Rossini. This makes for a wonderful introduction to classical music in a simple and funny package. 

Look for the opera July 14 at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. at the Boathouse Theater, on the shores of Schroon Lake.

The historic

American history has been a rich source of artistic inspiration. "The Great Gatsby" is a celebrated novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald set during the wild culture of the Prohibition era. It has been adapted for opera by John Harbison.

The opera had its premiere at the Metropolitan Opera in 1999, making it a contemporary take for the approaching new century. Performing "The Great Gatsby" will be part of the Seagle Music Colony tradition of cultivating new operas, which gives their young artists a chance to sing the work of living composers.

The opera will be sung in English with projected English supertitles. Don't miss the pre-show lecture one hour prior to curtain. Performances are August 1, 2, 4 at 8 p.m., and August 3 at 2 p.m.

Another fine tradition of the Colony is the galas that serve as important fundraisers, which offer an elegant, cultured evening. On July 14 at 6 p.m. there will be the annual fundraising event with dinner, drinks, dessert, and dancing featuring entertainment by the Seagle Music Colony Emerging Artists.

Every year the Colony also puts on a Vespers Concert that will be on August 12 and 19 at 5 p.m. These concerts of sacred choral music and vocal solos have been a Schroon Lake tradition for most of their century-long history. All Vespers concerts are open to the public and seating is first-come, first-serve, so arrive early.

In the fall, there will be a revue of the works of American composer, songwriter, and jazz pianist Cy Coleman. If you don't know the name, you will know the songs, like "Hey, Look Me Over," "Big Spender,” and “Come Follow the Band.” The show is called "Hey Big Spender" and will be performed on September 8 at 7:30 p.m.

The extraordinary

Celebrate Leonard Bernstein's 100th birthday with a performance of "Candide." The inspiration to adapt this classic work into a musical was proposed by the writer and lyricist Lillian Hellman. Many other lyricists would also contribute to Hellman's libretto, while Bernstein composed the music. The earliest performances of the musical had a troubled stage production that closed it early, but it turned into a triumph when the original cast album sold well, which resurrected the musical. Bernstein's score was the source of the appeal.

Seagle Music Colony will pay tribute to Bernstein with this romp through different time periods and cultures that is based on the satirical novel by Voltaire. Look for it on July 5, 6, 7 at 8 p.m., July 6 at 2 p.m.

When most people think of George Frideric Handel, they most likely think "Water Music" or of his English chorale works like "Messiah." But, he also composed, in Italian, "Julius Caesar in Egypt," a popular Baroque opera. There's plenty of villainous action and the extravagant musical expression Handel is known for.

The opera was so popular that Handel printed pocket-sized versions of the score for his fans to purchase. Modern fans can enjoy this work on July 18, 19, 21 at 8 p.m., and July 20 at 2 p.m. It will be sung in Italian with projected English supertitles, and there will be a pre-show lecture one hour prior to curtain.

From the charming to the sublime, Seagle Music Colony is bringing plenty of incredible vocal talent to light up the summer nights.

End a wonderful evening with the right lodging. Start the evening with some great dining. Check the events calendar for more events.

All photos courtesy of Seagle Music Colony. Main photo from "My Fair Lady" by James Carnahan.