Classical Music Agenda: Labor Day Edition
Well, classical music fans, your weekly agenda is back, and there are actually a few things to tell you about this week. Now that the rain has cleared out, you could get an early start on the season with the National Symphony's free National Labor Day Concert this evening (September 3, 8 p.m.) on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. Bring something water-resistant to sit on, as the ground may still be wet. In case of more bad weather, the concert will take place in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. If you want to avoid the crowds, the dress rehearsal takes place at 3:30 pm. The program, led by associate conductor Emil de Cou, is a mixture of Broadway and classical Americana, and it looks quite pleasant.
MORE ORCHESTRA:
>> For something more strictly classical, the National Symphony gives a preseason concert on Thursday and Friday (September 7 and 8, 7 p.m.). Guest conductor Roberto Minczuk welcomes pianist Joyce Yang for an all-Tchaikovsky program in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. The good news is that tickets for this event, before the official start of the NSO season, are reduced to $35 and $15.
>> If you are looking for something a little more free, the Amadeus Orchestra will play a free concert on Saturday (September 9, 6 p.m.). The venue is the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, however, which is more like the outdoors than a concert hall.
RECITALS:
>> I described tenor Lawrence Brownlee as "excellent and sometimes phenomenal" the last time I heard him sing. He is this year's winner of the Kennedy Center's Marian Anderson Award (there are several awards in her name), and he will give a solo recital next Sunday (September 10, 2 p.m.) in the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater. Martin Katz will join him at the piano. Tickets: $18.
>> The inventive local company Opera Bel Cantanti is presenting a Tribute to French Opera in several performances over the next couple weeks. Next Friday (September 8, 7:30 p.m.) and Sunday (September 10, 3 p.m.), a group of talented young singers will perform music from the best loved French operas at the Randolph Road Theatre in Silver Spring (4010 Randolph Rd.). Tickets: $30 (students, $25).
>> On Wednesday (September 6, 8 p.m.), the Embassy Series opens its season with a recital by Maltese tenor Juan Gambina and pianist Michael Adcock, at Meridian House International (1630 Crescent Pl. NW). Soprano Alessandra Marc will join him. Tickets: $50.
WORTH MENTIONING:
>> If you have not visited the Kreeger Museum (2401 Foxhall Rd. NW), a striking and beautiful home designed by Philip Johnson and now one of the city's best small museums, you can do so for free next Sunday (September 10, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.) for the Annual Open House. There will be performances of music and activities for children.
>> For more information on concerts in Washington, go to Ionarts.