The first part of June will see a gradual slowing down of the classical concert calendar as the summer lull arrives, but this week there are still plenty of options, many of them free (after the jump).

Composer Nico Muhly

NEW MUSIC:
>> Hotshot composer Nico Muhly — either New York’s It Boy of contemporary music or overrated phenom, depending on whom you read — will appear with the Washington Chorus on Thursday (June 3, 8 p.m.). The program, at the Atlas Performing Arts Center, will include Muhly’s song cycle based on Maira Kalman’s Principles of Uncertainty. Tickets: $25.

>> There are living composers based in Washington, too, three of whom will have works performed at 3-11: A Concert of New Music, presented on Friday night (June 4, 7:30 p.m.) at the Lyceum in Alexandria, and on Sunday night (June 6, 7:30 p.m.) at the D.C. Arts Center (2438 18th St. NW). Tickets: $10.

OLD MUSIC:
>> If you like your music pre-1750, it is time for the biennial Washington Early Music Festival, with a theme of French music this time around. The performances actually started last week, with Opera Lafayette presenting a rarely heard opera by Philidor, but really get under way on Friday (June 4, 8 p.m.), with a concert of music by Charpentier performed by an ensemble called Orpheus, at All Souls Memorial Episcopal Church (2300 Cathedral Ave. NW). Tickets: $20 (students, $15).

>> On Saturday night (June 5, 8 p.m.), the Vivaldi Project presents music by Lully, Campra, Muffat, and Vivaldi, also part of the Washington Early Music Festival, at St. Columba’s Episcopal Church (4201 Albemarle St. NW).

>> Also on Saturday (June 5, 7:30 p.m.) the National Chamber Ensemble will perform a program of Vivaldi, including the famous Four Seasons with violinist Leonid Sushansky as soloist, at Rosslyn Spectrum Theater.