Two preview performances of parts of the new chamber opera "Aliceheimer's" by composer Erik Nielsen and writer and artist Dana Walrath will take place this coming weekend. The performances will be on Saturday, November 6 at 7 p.m. at Bethany Church on Main Street in Montpelier and on Sunday, November 7 at 7 p.m. (please note that Sunday will be during Standard Time; Daylight Savings Time ends on Saturday) at the Town Hall Theater in Middlebury. Both performances are free, though donations are welcome and will help fund a full production of the opera in the future.

Saturday's and Sunday's performances will star the fabulous soprano Mary Bonhag, accompanied by the wonderful pianist Alison Cerutti. The opera tells the story of Alice, a woman with dementia, from her perspective and we see and hear humor, anger, love, loss, regret, clarity, confusion and much more, all brought to life through the power of music and words. Please note that all audience members must be masked and fully vaccinated, but there will also be a film of the performances made available within about two weeks for those unable to attend in person. For more information, visit www.eriknielsenmusic.com.