From Bryant Park to Swan Lake 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.
American Ballet Theatre presents Swan Lake July 1-6 at the Metropolitan Opera House, choreographed by Kevin McKenzie after Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov. Although Tchaikovsky’s ballet is now one of the best-known in the repertoire, it was originally a flop. It was revived shortly after the composer’s death, and gained in popularity over the course of the following decades. Music from Swan Lake has frequently been heard in films and on television for nearly as long as sound films have existed, since Universal Pictures used it in the 1930s horror films Dracula, The Mummy, and Murders in the Rue Morgue. In addition to the oboe solo which opens both Dracula and the second act of the ballet, famous excerpts include the Danse des petits cygnes (dance of the little swans), and the waltz in the first act.
The Harlem Chamber Players will give a free outdoor performance in Bryant Park July 5, presented by Carnegie Hall Citywide. Carnegie Hall Debs Composer’s Chair Tania León conducts the performance, which features violinist Josh Henderson, Terrance McKnight as host and narrator, and dancers from Harlem School of the Arts, with choreography by Leyland Simmons. The concert includes León’s "Agua de Manantial" from Esencia para cuarteto de cuerdas, as well as works by Adolphus Hailstork, Chen Yi, and Trevor Weston.
Soprano Yi-Ling Ellain Lin and countertenor Hardy W. Chan will perform at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall July 6, with pianist Lisa Weiss. The recital, titled “Duo From Afar,” will include folk songs, art songs, opera excerpts, and more.
Pianist Jeffrey Swann will perform three Beethoven piano sonatas at BargeMusic July 5. The fourth program in Swann’s series performing all of Beethoven’s piano sonatas, this concert is themed “Ending In Sweetness,” and features sonatas No. 2, 4, and 15. July 6 and 7, BargeMusic will present violinist Mark Peskanov and pianist Doris Stevenson alongside members of Semplice Players, performing Dohnanyi’s Quintet No. 1 in C minor, Wieniawski’s Violin Concerto No. 2 in D minor, and Sarasate’s Zigeunerweisen.
To stay up to date with classic arts news, subscribe to Playbill's classic arts newsletter.
