It's time to go a-weaving.

Well, it's here, the last new show in our series for the 2010-2011 season, The Weaver's Tale: of debt and the maidens. Despite the punny name, there are some pretty serious themes explored in this show, and definitely some heavy music to support it. We are also delighted to welcome back a number of performers who have acted with us earlier this season! In this installment, our mischievous Weaver brings together two stories from the Grimm's collection: The Two Travelers and The Three Little Men in the Wood. What these stories share is an exploration of greed versus generosity. In The Two Travelers, one man allows his eyes to be gouged out (yech) in exchange for some scraps of bread to stay alive. Needless to say, this experience stays with him as he arrives in the big city and attempts to build an industry.

Meanwhile, we have a classical tale of spoiled girl/earnest girl, and how they handle interactions with mysterious dwarves in the wood. Can you guess what happens to the spoiled girl? It isn't pretty. I've never coughed up frogs, but I can't imagine it would be too much fun.

The underpinning of this show is, as always, our musical selections. We're delighted to present Bohuslav Martinu's Nonet, a fantastic work that, because of its size, is rarely programmed. It's sparkling melodies are entirely evocative of Mozart, but it does offer a more modern color palette as well. Also featured is the intriguing second wind quintet of Uruguay-American composer Miguel Del Aguila. This cinematic work requires a number of extended techniques from our players, and creates a very unusual soundscape. Our 2010 Young Composers Competition Winner, Oliver Caplan, will be in attendance all the way from Boston to hear our interpretation of his piano trio Illuminated by the Light of Two Ships Passing in the Night. And finally, we're playing a little piece called the Brahms c minor piano quartet. Heard of it? If you haven't, you are in for a treat to be sure.

We can't wait to see you and bring our 10-11 subscription series to an exciting conclusion. Check us out at the Mayne Stage on May 4th at 8pm. Tickets are available here. You can also see us at the Chicago Cultural Center on May 3rd at 7pm. Fifth House Ensemble