Fall Concert

At The French Library Get Directions

We’re taking you to France with our first musical event of the cultural season. Three diverse ensembles will perform pieces from a few of our favorite French composers. On the menu: Maurice Ravel, Mélanie Bonis, Bizet, and maybe a few surprises!

RSVP by phone only. Tickets not sold at door.

RSVP Via Phone

Tickets: $12-24

Our program for the evening

First Performance

Francesca McNeeley and Eva Aronian will perform works by Maurice Ravel, who in the 1920s and 1930s was internationally regarded as France's greatest living composer.

Second Performance:

Giovanna Confalone and Velleda Miragias will present Mélanie (Mel) Bonis’ Sonata in F Major, opus 67 for cello and piano, which is but one of over 300 works in Bonis’ oeuvre. Written in Paris, 1905, the sonata is a fine example of the high caliber chamber music produced by Bonis at the fin du siècle. Mel Bonis (1858-1937) was one of the few women of her time granted admission to the prestigious Conservatoire de Paris.

Third Performance

Clemens Teufel and Nathan Rodriguez will close the evening with a sumptuous opera recital, featuring pieces from Bizet.

An intermission of ten minutes will be observed after each performance, during which complimentary refreshments will be available. The event will start no later than 7:10 PM.Thank you for your understanding.

About the Performers

Critically acclaimed cellist Francesca McNeeley is in high demand as a collaborator and soloist. As a New Fromm Player at the Tanglewood Music Center, she premiered quartets by John Harbison, Mark Neikrug, and Kui Dong. She has been featured internationally on numerous series and festivals, including Houston’s Musiqa and Boston’s Callithumpian Consort.

Violinist Eva Aronian, from Montreal, Canada, is the recent recipient of the second-place and Aspen prizes at the 2016 OSM (Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal) Manulife Competition. She was also awarded first place in the Canadian Music Competition, the Borromeo String Quartet's 2015 Guest Artist Award, and first place in the 2015 "Città di Barlassina" Competition in Italy.

Giovanna Confalone earned her Bachelor's degree in Collaborative Piano Performance from Boston University (summa cum laude). A Boston native, Giovanna returned to Massachusetts in 2010 to pursue her Master's of Music Education degree at her alma mater. She is an avid collaborative pianist and has accompanied recitals given by members of the Metropolitan Opera, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Boston Pops, Boston Lyric Opera, and the North German Radio Chorus (NDR) in Hamburg. Giovanna enjoys exploring a wide variety of musical genres, including jazz, musical theatre, and classical. In addition to her work as pianist, singer, choral conductor and music director, Giovanna is a devoted pedagogue and was recently honored to be the recipient of Steinway & Sons’ Top Teacher Award in 2017. Giovanna is founder of the Mel Bonis Project, a recently launched non-profit collaborative dedicated to disseminating the work and histories of 19th century French women composers.

Praised by le Confolentais for her “impeccable technical mastery, [and] strong expression” Boston-based cellist Velleda Miragias currently enjoys a diverse career as a freelance solo, chamber, and orchestral musician, educator, and entrepreneur. A French native, Ms. Miragias holds degrees from the Conservatoire National de Boulogne, Conservatoire Supérieur de Paris rue de Madrid, Indiana University, and a Master of Music from Boston University.

She is the recipient of France’s coveted Ministry of Culture Award and a first-prize winner of the Prix de la ville d’Epernay string competition. As an orchestral performer, Ms. Miragias is currently Assistant Principal with the Boston Philharmonic, and regularly performs with Boston Modern Orchestra Project, Odyssey Opera, and at the Monadnock Music Festival, as well as with the Handel and Haydn Society and Boston Baroque on period instruments.

Clemens Teufel has performed concerts throughout Europe, the United States and Asia including venues such as the Cité des Arts in Paris and the Beijing Conservatory as well as at several festivals including the International Burgos Music Festival in Spain.

Acclaimed for his "velvety tone" and "spot-on comedic timing," baritone Nathan Rodríguez has been living in Boston for the last five years and has been featured in a number of premier arts organizations such as Odyssey Opera, Juventas New Music Ensemble, The Shakespeare Concerts, Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra, OperaHub, MetroWest Opera, and Lowell House Opera.

Upcoming Events

See All Upcoming Events

Talks & Discussions

The Monuments of Paris: Rewriting Family History

An Author Talk with Violaine Huisman

Tuesday, May 12, 2026

Join us for an evening with acclaimed author Violaine Huisman as she presents her new novel, The Monuments of Paris, a sweeping exploration of family, memory, and a little-known chapter of French history during the Second World War.

Talks & Discussions

Virtual Event: Ann Scott in Conversation

Presented in partnership with Harvard Bookstore

Thursday, May 14, 2026

Join us off-site at Harvard Book Store for a conversation with French author Ann Scott, winner of the 2023 Prix Renaudot, for the release of her cult novel Superstars.

Performing Arts & Screenings

Ciné Club Series: The Double Life of Véronique by Krzysztof Kieślowski

DISCUSSION WITH MICHAEL WARTOFSKY

Thursday, May 14, 2026

A story of two connected lives, The Double Life of Véronique by Krzysztof Kieślowski is a must-see for lovers of European cinema and great film music.

See All