From An American in Paris to a French composer in America, 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 Metropolitan Opera continues performances of Jake Heggie’s Moby-Dick, which had its Met premiere last week, starring tenor Brandon Jovanovich as the obsessed Captain Ahab, with tenor Stephen Costello as Greenhorn, the opera’s version of Ishmael. Performances also continue of Beethoven’s Fidelio and Puccini’s La Bohéme. Returning to the Met stage this week is Michael Mayer’s new production of Verdi’s Aida, which premiered in December, and now welcomes its second cast, including soprano Christina Nilsson as Aida, tenor Brian Jagde as Radamés, baritone Roman Burdento as Amonasro, and basses Alexander Vinogradov and Krzysztof Bączyk as Ramfis and the King, respectively. Mezzo-soprano Judit Kutasi continues in the role of Amneris.
Pianist Yuja Wang returns to the New York Philharmonic this week for another concert in her season as artist-in-residence. Gustavo Dudamel, who becomes the Philharmonic’s music director designate next season, will conduct the French-and-American-themed program, which includes Varèse’s Amériques, two piano concertos by Ravel, as well as George Gershwin’s symphonic poem An American in Paris, which recently entered the public domain.
Pianist Lang Lang returns to Carnegie Hall this week, offering a mostly-Chopin recital March 12, including 12 of the composer’s Mazurkas. The New York Pops returns to Carnegie Hall March 14, with music director Stephen Reineke leading a program of film scores, ranging from classics like King Kong and Psycho, to modern scores such as Gladiator and The Avengers.
Soprano Karen Slack comes to the 92nd Street Y March 11 to present the New York premiere of her multimedia work African Queens, which explores the legacy of seven African queens throughout history. With pianist Kevin Miller, Slack performs an array of new art songs by composers including Damien Geter, Jessie Montgomery, and Carlos Simon, as well as songs by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor and Florence Price.
The Modus Operandi Orchestra comes to the Kaufman Music Center March 12, led by conductor Justin Bischof in an all-Beethoven program. The concert will include the Coriolan overture, the “Emperor” concerto with pianist Alexandre Moutouzkine, and the seventh symphony.
Stuttgart-based dance company Gauthier Dance comes to the Joyce Theatre this week to perform a selection of contemporary works, including Gauthier’s own ABC, and Swan Cake by Tony-nominated choreographer Hofesh Shechter (Fiddler on the Roof), with an original score by Shechter. The program will also include Sharon Eyal’s Point and Ohad Naharin’s Minus 16. Performances run March 11-16.
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