From the oldest classical composers, to the youngest up-and-comers, 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:
The New York Philharmonic will present a Young People’s Concert January 20, featuring Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition (as orchestrated by Ravel), and two new works by members of the Philharmonic’s Very Young Composer’s program. Before the concert there will be a YPC Overtures event, where children and their families can take part in interactive workshops and try out orchestral instruments. All events are in Lincoln Center’s David Geffen Hall.
Soprano Julia Bullock will perform at Carnegie Hall January 19, with pianist Bretton Brown. Bullock, who makes her Met debut later this season in John Adams’ El Niño, will perform a wide-ranging program, including classical works by Barber, Poulenc, Strauss, and Kurt Weill, alongside musical theatre standards by Rodgers (both Richard and Mary) and Kurt Weill, popular songs by the likes of Connie Converse and Bob Dylan, and traditionals.
The Cleveland Orchestra comes to Carnegie Hall January 20, led by music director and conductor Franz Welser-Möst. The concert will include Ernst Krenek’s Little Symphony, as well as Krenek’s completion of the Adagio from Mahler’s unfinished tenth symphony. Bartók’s The Miraculous Mandarin suite, and third string quartet, arranged for double string orchestra by Stanley Konopka, will also be performed.
Composer and instrumentalist Angélica Negrón will perform at the Kaufman Music Center January 18, in a collaboration with visual and botanical artist Sophie Parker. The performance will include new songs accompanied by “playable sculptures” by Parker. The concert will also include guest artists Darian Donovan Thomas and Phong Tran.
The Kaufman Music Center will also host this week a performance by pianist Elia Cecino January 16th, as part of their Tuesday matinee series. The concert will include works by Chopin, Brahms, Liszt, Sciortino, and Prokofiev.
Ronald K. Brown’s dance company EVIDENCE comes to the Joyce Theatre for performances January 16-21. The program will include two works choreographed by Brown, Walking Out The Dark, and Torch. The company blends African and Afro-Cuban dance with contemporary dance, music, and spoken word.
Symphony Space will present Cillian Vallely and Kevin Crawford in a night of Irish music January 19 at the Leonard Nimoy Thalia. Both members of the band Lúnasa, Vallely plays the uilleann pipes and low whistle, and Crawford the flute, whistle, and bodhran. The concert of traditional Irish music is part of Symphony Space’s Revelry series.
Performances continue at the Metropolitan Opera of Bizet’s Carmen, Verdi’s Nabucco, and Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, as the company enters the final two weeks of its fall/winter season before taking a midwinter hiatus through February. This season’s run of Nabucco has its final three performances this week and next, while Carmen and Madama Butterfly will return in the spring.
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