If you're having trouble viewing this email, you cansee it online.
Vergennes Opera House Monthly Newsletter - October 2026 Edition
We opened our 2026-2027 season a little over a week ago to a sold-out audience enjoying the music of Vergennes' native Patti Casey who was performing with Colin McCaffrey and Eric O'Hara. What a way to open the season...and we're just getting started!
Coming right up this Saturday, October 10, is a historic concert with the Champlain Philharmonic Orchestra. This is a big 55-member orchestra, making it too large for the stage so they will be performing on the main audience level. This will be an amazing night for an exclusive audience of folks who were smart enough to purchase tickets in advance. Get tix here: CPO at the VOH.
There is so much more happening, so be sure to check below for additional details and events.
Thanks to those of you who were able to come to the All Access Project Ribbon Cutting Ceremony in the new courtyard space at the Opera House/City Hall. It was an amazing day (the weather cooperated) of celebration and success...all because of the generosity and support of so many people, businesses, and state and federal partners. Amazing!
While the weather is still "balmy," swing into the courtyard and enjoy the plantings and the view. It'll settle your soul.
See you in the theater!
Cheers,
Gerianne Smart President, Friends of the Vergennes Opera House
This Saturday, October 10th, the Champlain Philharmonic is presenting a "homecoming" performance in the Vergennes Opera House where the orchestra began more than 20 years ago.
In the spring of 2004, two VSO string players, violinist David Gusakov and cellist Dieuwke Davydov invited the community of classically trained musicians to audition for the orchestra. They selected over 55 qualified string, wind, and brass players to begin rehearsals at the Vergennes Opera House. The orchestra, though “birthed” in the VOH, was too big to play on the stage and thus has never had a full performance in the historic theater. This all changes on October 10th with a special "homecoming" event conducted by the acclaimed Matt LaRocca, showcasing the incredible musicianship of the full orchestra.
Featured works will include: Finzi - 5 Bagatelles for clarinet and strings (soloist Margaret Barsumian) Grofe' - Mississippi Suite Elgar - Enigma Variations Mueller - Cloud Palace
To accommodate this large orchestra, they will be performing on the audience level. We will have additional seating available on the stage. NOT to be missed!
Roots to Sky Featuring Moira Smiley & Rasa String Quartet
A special autumnal presentation in partnership with Vermont Public.
Join us for an immersive fall evening of luminous, genre-crossing music with singer and composer Moira Smiley and Rasa String Quartet!
Anchored by Smiley’s Rhizome Project, the performance brings together voice, banjo, piano and string quartet in lush, percussive arrangements of ancient and contemporary folk songs. The program explores the meeting point of classical and folk traditions, with works by Smiley, Caroline Shaw, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Sato Matsui performed collaboratively and by the quartet.
Rooted in themes of connection, the music reflects the hidden networks that bind us across time, place and tradition — like rhizomes nourishing life beneath the surface. Rich, intimate and deeply resonant, this program offers the perfect balm for a fall evening.
Tickets and additional information can be found here: Roots to Sky
Dayna Kurtz "Singing Her Heart Out" Fundraising concert for Amanda Janoo Saturday, October 24, 7:30pm
Dayna has performed with the likes of Mavis Staples, Elvis Costello, B.B. King, Richard Thompson, Rufus Wainwright, Dr. John, Richie Havens, Chris Whitley, Keren Ann and The Blind Boys of Alabama. Singer (blues, jazz, rockabilly, pop) and songwriter (Female Songwriter of the Year – National Academy of Songwriters).
Dayna covers classics in astonishing new ways, and digs deep in dusty corners to find brilliant songs that have only been heard by a handful of people.
"I'm in love with music, not genres. If it's a great song, it's a great song. I'm always just trying to do the best I can to serve the song."
Tickets start at $30, and will go to Amanda Janoo's campaign. Contributions above the base ticket price of $30 are encouraged.
Doors will open at 6:45, and the concert will begin at 7:30. Seating is unassigned/general admission.
As a 501(c)(3) organization, the Friends of the Vergennes Opera House does not participate in, intervene in, or endorse any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office.
Renting space or providing a platform to a political organization does not imply approval, endorsement, or financial support of their platform or candidates by the Friends of the Vergennes Opera House.
Sold Out Opening Show! Thank you to Patti Casey, Colin McCaffrey & Eric O'Hara
Now THAT is how you open the season!
A packed house enjoyed a sold out performance on Saturday, September 26 with fantastic music, fun stories, and a full-audience “Happy Birthday” serenade to our own board member Sue O'Daniel who emceed the evening.
Thank you to our show sponsor, Scott Gaines at Gaines Insurance Agency, Inc. and to our loyal season sponsors. They are the reason we are able to bring such high caliber talent to the historic theater. Special thanks to Patti Casey, Colin J. McCaffrey and Eric O’Hara for leaving it all on the stage and giving those in attendance a night they will not soon forget.
Courtyard Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Well Attended
It was a terrific day with lots of visitors, some speeches, and plenty of gratitude for successfully completing the $2M+ All Access Project at the Vergennes Opera House. Construction began in May of 2025 and we were finally able to put a bow on this ambitious project on Thursday, September 17. Because of the generosity, commitment, and support from people far and wide, we were able to celebrate together.
The short video below of the special day was put together by Sue Walsh, Board Secretary of the Friends of the Vergennes Opera House. ENJOY!
Short video of the Ribbon Cuttin Ceremony on Thursday, 9/17/26
THANK YOU to our Season Sponsors!
Everything that happens on the VOH stage is due to the incredible generosity and commitment of our season and show sponsors. Once again they have stepped up to help fund our season of shows and we want to thank and recognize them here.
SEASON SPONSORS: Mark & Julie Basol, Ed & Beverly Biello, Amanda Bodell & Jeffry Glassberg, Patricia Butler, Casella Waste Management, Mike & Maggie Catillaz, Bob & Deb Hartenstein, Connie & Bill Houston, Jackman Fuels, Bird Statz & Dyer Jones, H.J. LeBoeuf & Sons Contractors & Builders, Liz Robbins and John Lent, Peter & Liz Markowski, Geoff & Susan Nelson, Otter Creek Awnings, Ned & Lauren Pike, Philip & Roberta Puschel, Lizbeth & Timothy Ryan, the Schaefer Family, Vergennes Grand Senior Living, Vergennes Partnership, Realtor® Sue Walsh at Berkshire Hathaway VT Realty Group, William Wooby, and in Memory of Garry Simpson.
