From classical opera, to contemporary dance, to both at the same time, 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 myth of Orpheus and Eurydice has inspired works of musical theatre for centuries, from Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo to the hit musical Hadestown four centuries later. One of the most popular operatic versions of the story, Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice returns to the stage of the Metropolitan Opera May 16. Among the most influential operas of the classical period, Orfeo ed Euridice is notable for its dramatic and musical concision, eschewing the elaborate forms of the opera seria of the day. Countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo stars as Orfeo, opposite soprano Ying Fang as Euridice. Soprano Elena Villalón completes the cast, making her Met debut as Amore, the god of love. Christian Curnyn conducts the production by choreographer Mark Morris, which features members of the Mark Morris Dance Group.
New York City Ballet began its 75th anniversary season with an all-Balanchine fall celebrating the Company’s storied history, and will conclude the season with a contemporary spring, highlighting the choreographers of the company’s future. This week the company performs two contemporary programs, featuring the work of NYCB Artist in Residence Alexei Ratmansky, alongside works by Ulysses Dove, Gianna Reisen, Pam Tanowitz, Christopher Wheeldon, William Forsythe, and Kyle Abraham.
NYCB will also present a special sensory-friendly performance May 19, featuring Christopher Wheeldon’s Scènes de Ballet, set to the dance suite of the same name by Stravinsky, and Jerome Robbins’ Glass Pieces, set to selections by Philip Glass. The performance, designed to provide an inclusive environment for audiences with sensory processing challenges, will include a relaxed entry/exit policy, adjustments to lighting and sound levels, designated break areas throughout the theatre, additional event staffing to assist with audience needs, and pre-visit resources, including a visual schedule.
The Paul Taylor Dance Company will perform at the 92nd Street Y May 13. The company will give a “reimagining” of Paul Taylor’s 1975 work Esplanade, as well as a preview of Resident Choreographer Lauren Lovette’s newest creation. The Paul Taylor Dance Company and the 92nd Street Y have some history together, as Taylor’s Seven New Dances had its world premiere there in 1957.
Violinist Kala Ramnath will perform at the Kaufmann Music Center May 16 in a concert co-curated by Brooklyn Raga Massive. Ramnath, known for her revolutionary approach to vocalized Hindustani violin technique, will perform with her long-time collaborator Abhijit Banerjee on tabla.
Decoda, Carnegie Hall’s first-ever affiliate ensemble, performs at the venue’s Weill Recital Hall May 14, joined by Ringdown, the “electronic cinematic pop duo” of Caroline Shaw and Danni Lee Parpan. The concert will feature the world premiere of Ringdown’s Every Stone in Cambridge Reminds Me of You, a Carnegie Hall commission, as well as works by Copland, Hannah Kendall, Hanns Eisler, and Billy Bragg.
The Sejong Soloists celebrate their 30th anniversary by launching a new spring festival at Carnegie Hall, with performances May 17 and May 22. The May 17 performance will include the world premiere of a new saxophone concerto by Augusta Read Thomas, performed by soloist Steven Banks. The program will also include Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 and Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings.
Carnegie Hall will also host this week performances by the Met Orchestra Chamber Ensemble (May 15); The Knights, with singer-songwriter Gabriel Kahane (May 16); and pianist Seong-Jin Cho (May 17).
Huang Ruo and David Henry Hwang’s opera An American Soldier, which opened May 12, continues performances through May 19 at the Perelman Performing Arts Center. Carolyn Kuan conducts Chay Yew’s production of the opera, which is based on the true story of Private Danny Chen, whose death in 2011 was followed by an investigation and subsequent court-martial of his fellow soldiers.
The New York Philharmonic will continue its Art of the Score series with E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial in Concert May 17-19. Constantine Kitsopoulos will conduct John Williams’ score live to a screening of the Spielberg film at Lincoln Center’s David Geffen Hall.
Yehudit, a modern Chazzanut (Jewish liturgical music) opera by Iris Karlin has its premiere performance May 16 at Temple Emanu-El on the Upper East Side. The retelling of the story of Judith combines elements of Jewish music with opera, operetta, and musical theater. Stephanie E. Leotsakos conducts.
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