The Greenwich Library is happy to announce that the Ashforth Children’s Concert Series will return this spring. The first event will be a Storytime Quartet retelling of popular children’s tales alongside classical music. “Aesop’s Fables” will be presented at the Greenwich Library’s Berkley Theater on Saturday, April 9, at 10:30am.
The Storytime Quartet narrated concerts blend children’s fairy tales together with classical string quartet music. Three of the world’s most beloved Aesop’s Fables are presented with music of famous classical composers to create an exciting storytelling experience for children and their families. During each program, the performers engage with the audience, inviting them to ask questions and recognize thematic materials and story plots. The presentation includes colorful, large-screen illustrations for each story, and the string quartet’s instruments are explored and discussed in a fun Q&A segment.
In this presentation of Aesop’s Fables, the story/music parings include:
- The Ant and the Grasshopper with music by Giuseppe Verdi
- The Mermaid and the Huntsman with music by Leoš Janáček
- The Tortoise and the Hare with music by Franz Joseph Haydn
The New York-based Storytime Quartet is made up of a revolving cast of professional musicians, all of whom have numerous Broadway credits to their resumes. This performance will be narrated by violinist Dr. Janey Choi, who has served on teaching faculties for the New York Philharmonic, Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, and Binghamton University.
Exposing children to classical music has many benefits, including improving their listening skills, brain function, and creativity. A recent study found that live classical music evokes positive feelings in children, and that this positivity impacts their emotional wellbeing. It is believed that exposure to classical music and art helps to engender compassion and out-of-the-box thinking in children.
The performance will run for 55 minutes. Masks are required for anyone ages 2+. Capacity in the theater will be limited to 75 percent.
The Ashforth Concert Series is designed to expose children to classical music performance. The concert is free and open to the public through the support of Georgie and Henry A. Ashforth. After this event, the next concert in the Ashforth series will be “History of Broadway” on Saturday, May 14, at 10:30am at Byram Shubert Library.
The Greenwich Library system consists of the Main Library and its Byram Shubert and Cos Cob branches. The mission of Greenwich Library is to provide exceptional resources, programs and services that promote the joy of lifelong learning and discovery, and to offer a welcoming place for people to gather and share experiences.
With 1,800 programs and events per year, the Library seeks to serve as the cultural and intellectual crossroads of the community. Greenwich Library’s circulation is among the highest of public libraries in Connecticut and has been named a five-star library by Library Journal for 11 of the past 12 years for the high number of patron visits, circulation, use of public computers and attendance at more than 2000 programs per year. Greenwich Library is located at 101 West Putnam Avenue in Greenwich. Cos Cob Library is located at 5 Sinawoy Road in Cos Cob. Byram Shubert Library is located at 21 Mead Avenue in Greenwich. More information is available online at www.greenwichlibrary.org or by calling 203-622-7900.