This DCist has managed to satisfy those persistent classical music cravings from time to time lately, but August is a slow month for concerts. In fact, we took our passport to make the trip all the way out to Wolf Trap last night, on a dangerous quest to see Rossini’s La Cenerentola in a semistaged version by the Wolf Trap Opera Company (reviewed at Ionarts). The big party resumes in Washington next month, of course, when the National Symphony, Washington National Opera, and the other big guns return from vacation. Until then, the six readers of the Classical Music Agenda will just have to listen to CDs, to supplement the few concerts we have to tell you about. The good news is that, although there may not be much, it is all free.
ENSEMBLES:
>> You can listen to your choice of free ensemble performances this week, beginning on Monday (August 22 at 6 p.m.) with the Voest-Alpine Concert Band, all the way from Linz, Austria, at the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage. On Thursday (August 25 at 6 p.m.), another group from abroad, the City of Belfast Youth Orchestra will appear in concert at the same location. Finally, on Friday (August 26 at 8 p.m.) the U.S. Army Concert Band will give another free concert on the west steps of the U.S. Capitol.
MUSIC IN CHURCHES:
>> The Church of the Epiphany (1317 G St. NW) has a free concert series, most Tuesdays at lunchtime. This Tuesday (August 23 at 12:10 p.m.) soprano Rachel Barham will give a recital with pianist Andrew Simpson. Then on Sunday, the two major churches in Washington will continue their series of free organ recitals. British organist Gerald Gifford will appear at Washington National Cathedral (August 28 at 5 p.m.), and local organist Ronald Stolk (who normally plays at the beautiful St. Patrick’s in the City) will perform in the Great Upper Church of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
