Dr. Judith Lynn Stillman came to Rhode Island “many years ago” to assume Rhode Island College’s Artisan Residence position.

Judy has  put Rhode Island on the map through her collaboration with world renowned artists and her passionate devotion to human rights.

“Rhode Island has such a vibrant arts culture, “Stillman said. “Whever, I go, I like to serve as the ambassador for the arts in Rode Island.”

And she has been all over the world, playing before concertgoers, in recording studios, collaborating with

distinguished artists, including one of her biggest fans, Winton Marsalis.

On Sunday, October 22 at 3:00 p.m. Stillman will present the world premiere of “Dvorak: A Bohemian Rhapsody: A Play-within-a-concert,” hosted by The Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra and Music School at the school’s Carter Center, 667 Waterman Ave., East Providence.

There will be a special preview on Thursday, October 19 at 12 p.m. at Rhode Island College’s Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts. Admission is free, but advance registration is required (https://masterone.evenbrite.com/) There is a suggested donation of $10 at the door.

“Dvorak essentially comes to life on stage, along with his glorious music, and a palpable sense of Czech society and Bohemian culture,” Stillman said.

This writer has seen two of Stillman’s “Plays-within-a-concert”, which have received worldwide acclaim.

Dvorak is the latest in her series of staged portraits, bringing the composer to life in a multimedia format, combining music, theatre and visual projections in an intimate, up-close setting.

With Stillman at piano, she is joined by R.I. Philharmonic violinists Charles Dimmick, and Katherine Winterstein, violist Abigail Cross, and cellist Brent Selby and Fred Sullivan Jr. as Dvorak.

Judith “devised, designed and developed” the concept of “a-play-with-a-concert”, infusing the different art forms to attract a wide audience of art lovers who may be more interested in the various elements of music, art, history and the spoken word.

“People absorb whatever element is of particular interest to them,” she said. “Combining music and theatre allows one to look closely into the intricate life of the composer.

Stillman speaks passionately-and rapidly-of her love and devotion for the arts as the rate to her humanitarian causes, whether in Africa, Armenia, or dealing with women’s rights and civil rights.

She is truly one of Rhode Island’s treasures. Her play-within-a concert concept has been attracting attention in Rhode Island among other arts groups including First Works.

It sure would have kept me awake and alert in my Music 101 class.

For tickets to the October 22 concert call 248-7000. Adults are $25; students 18 or under or with college ID $15; RIPO music school students $10.

Article By Don Fowler