Classical Music Agenda
Well, the classical music season is drawing to its end. Yes, there will be things to hear over the summer, but many of the major organizations will be shutting down at the end of May, or going into their reduced summer schedules. If you wanted to take in a production at Washington National Opera, for example, you had better do it soon. If you like the spectacle of musicals, opera should be right up your alley. If you are a student or young professional, ages 18 to 35, join the Generation O program to be eligible for reduced-price tickets. You can afford to go to the opera.
OPERA:
>> Last night, I was at the opening night of WNO's new production of Mozart's final opera, La Clemenza di Tito. I had never cared much for this opera, only by comparison with Mozart's more famous works, which are performed more often. This week, after watching a newly released DVD of Clemenza and seeing it last night, I have really warmed to it. This cast sings quite well, and the production is beautiful, if a little strange. More about that in my forthcoming review. Performances this week are on Thursday (May 11, 7:30 p.m.) and Sunday (May 14, 2 p.m.).
>> If you are going to attend only one of WNO's final two productions, I would recommend Rossini's L'Italiana in Algeri over the Mozart, especially for someone new to opera. It's a comic opera, with a silly but entertaining story about a sharp-tongued Italian woman who gets shipwrecked on the coast of Algeria. Hijinks ensue. In particular, the cast is extraordinary, starring rising Argentine Peruvian tenor Juan Diego Flórez, mezzo-soprano Olga Borodina, soprano Lyubov Petrova, and a fine supporting cast. The production opens this Saturday (May 13, 7 p.m.) and continues through June 3. Of course, I will be giving you a full review.
>> If you want to hear some opera for free, go during your lunch this Friday (May 12, 12 noon) for an unstaged performance of operatic excerpts. This concert will feature members of the University of Maryland Opera Studio, by reputation sure to be talented young singers, at the Arts Club of Washington (2017 I St. NW).
>> If you can't get enough Mozart, there is a concert performance of Don Giovanni on Saturday (May 13, 8 p.m.). The National Philharmonic will be joined by singers Dean Elzinga, Vladimir Shvets, Jane Ohmes, and John Aler in the Music Center at Strathmore. Tickets: $25 to $80 (free ticket for children, ages 7 to 17, with purchase of adult ticket).
FREE EDITION:
>> Young musicians from the prestigious Marlboro Music Festival will give the last of three free concerts at the Freer Gallery of Art on Tuesday (May 9, 7:30 p.m.). Various combinations will perform Mozart's Adagio and Fugue for String Quartet, K. 546, Schoenberg's op. 4 for string quartet, and Schumann's marvelous song cycle Dichterliebe, op. 48. You can reserve tickets through Ticketmaster, for the usual fees, or show up early and wait for an unused seat.
>> The National Gallery of Art is hosting some free early music concerts this month. On Wednesday (May 10, 12:10 p.m.), local group ArcoVoce will play a selection of 17th- and 18-century music for voice and instruments in the East Building Small Auditorium.
>> On Friday (May 12, 8 p.m.) the Library of Congress will host experimental composer Morton Subotnick, for a special performance of Until Spring Revisited, which he describes as "a virtuosic double-laptop 8-channel improvisation." If you need a little explanation, Stephen Soderberg will give a pre-concert presentation at 6:15 p.m. Again, do not give Ticketmaster your money if you are willing to wait in line.
>> Both museum concert series have piano recitals this week, beginning with Christopher Guzman at the Phillips Collection on Sunday (May 14, 5 p.m.). The concert is free, but you have to pay to enter the museum. Later in the day (May 14, 6:30 p.m.), pianist Joseph Schwartz will play music by Chopin, Debussy, and Schubert at the National Gallery of Art. Take your mom to see one of the exhibits and treat her to a concert for Mother's Day, you neglectful child. It's free, but she doesn't have to know that.
>> For more concert ideas, see Classical Week in Washington at Ionarts.