Photo by Glenn Moody Studios

From the earliest published song, ‘Green Mountain Farmer” (1798), though 1850 temperance ballads, Civil War era songs to those about Vermonters Calvin Coolidge, Thomas Dewey, and Jim Fiske, singer and researcher Linda Radtke joined by pianist Arthur Zorn bring Vermont history to life. She presents engaging commentary about the songs found in the Vermont Historical Society’s collection of sheet music, including folk songs collected by Helen Hartness Flanders. Dressed in period costume, Radtke takes listeners through state history, using the songs Vermonters published in their communities.  This performance being held in conjunction with the current exhibition Bennington Collects, is free and open to the public due to the generous support of Alison Nowak and Robert Cane.  Admission to the museum galleries is not included but is always free for Museum members.

Radtke, mezzo-soprano, has served as the principal alto soloist for the Mozart Festival and the Gilbert and Sullivan Players with the Oriana Singers, and is a founding member of Robert DeCormier’s professional vocal ensemble, Counterpoint, who performed here last June. She also sings with a vocal quartet, Ah!Capella, sponsored by the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, which brings music to Vermont schools. She toured the state with a Vermont song recital sponsored by the Vermont Historical Society. After 31 years as a high-school teacher, Radtke works for