From the jungle to the rainforest, the classic arts scene in New York is never quiet. Here is just a sampling of some of the classic arts events happening this week:
Choreographer and director Akram Khan returns to Lincoln Center with Jungle Book reimagined, playing at the Rose Theater November 16-18. Khan’s version of the short stories by Kipling reimagines the character of Mowgli as a young girl who is a refugee of the climate crisis. The production features a score by Jocelyn Pook and a libretto by Tariq Jordan.
Florencia en el Amazonas opens at the Metropolitan Opera November 16, in a new production directed by Mary Zimmerman. Daniel Catán’s 1996 opera concerns a group of passengers on a boat traveling through the Amazon to hear the legendary singer Florencia Grimaldi, not knowing that Florencia herself is on the very same boat, traveling incognito. Soprano Ailyn Pérez stars as Florencia, with soprano Gabriella Reyes as Rosalba, a journalist intent on interviewing her. Met Opera music director Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts.
Performances also continue at the Met this week of Puccini’s La Bohème, Anthony Davis’ X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X, and Verdi’s Un Ballo in Maschera, the latter of which concludes its run November 18.
Conductor Paavo Järvi joins the New York Philharmonic November 16-18 for a concert of Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 6, Tormis’ Overture No. 2, and Britten’s Violin Concerto, with soloist Alena Baeva making her NY Phil debut.
Teatro Grattacielo continues its celebration of the 100th birthday of Maria Callas with The 10 Faces of Maria Callas, presented in partnership with the Consulate General of Greece in New York. Six singers will pay tribute to the career of the famed soprano November 16 at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Trinity.
Bass-Baritone Bryn Terfel returns to Carnegie Hall November 14, for a recital of traditional Welsh songs, English art songs, and lieder, joined by harpist Hannah Stone and pianist Annabel Thwaite. Carnegie Hall will also host performances this week from pianist Schaghajegh Nosrati (November 13); pianist András Schiff (November 16); and the New York Pops, joined by Kelli O'Hara and Sutton Foster (November 17).
Violinist Gil Shaham and pianist Akira Eguchi will perform at the 92nd Street Y November 17. The program will include Avner Dorman's "Nigunim,” which was commissioned by 92NY, and premiered there by Shaham in 2011. Shaham and Eguchi will also perform Fauré’s Sonata in A Major, and works by Mozart, Leclair, Scott Wheeler, Max Raimi, and Reena Esmail.
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