Opera in NYC: Samson et Dalila at the Metropolitan Opera

Opera in NYC: Samson et Dalila at the Metropolitan Opera

Saint-Saens’s biblical epic with Aleksandr Antonenko and Anita Rachvelishvili in the title roles returns to the MetOpera in March 2019

A scene from the Bacchanale in Act III of Saint-Saëns's "Samson et Dalila."
A scene from the Bacchanale in Act III of Saint-Saëns’s “Samson et Dalila.” Photo: Ken Howard / Met Opera

Darko Tresnjak’s new production of sensual French Grand Opera by Camille Saint-Saens on the biblical story of Samson et Dalila returns to the Metropolitan Opera  on March 13, 2019. Aleksandr Antonenko, Anita Rachvelishvili, and the rest of the powerful cast will bring a timeless tale of seduction, betrayal, and sacrifice to the New York’s opera lovers.

Darko Tresnjak, a 2014 Tony Award Winner for best direction of a musical, debuts at the Met Opera with a monumental staging that brings us to ancient Gaza of 12th century BC from the Old Testament’s Book of Judges. Sensual music, an electrifying performance, and vivid stage design promise a memorable experience for every opera fan.

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Music in NYC: “When Tchaikovsky Met Brahms” Program Presented by Aspect Foundation

Music in NYC: ‘When Tchaikovsky Met Brahms’ Program Presented by Aspect Foundation

Music by Tchaikovsky, Brahms, and Grieg complemented by an illustrated talk about the composers’ relationship is on Wednesday, March 6, 2019 at 7.30 pm at the Italian Academy of Columbia University 

Violinist Alexander Sitkovetsky, pianist Wu Qian
Alexander Sitkovetsky, violin and Wu Qian, piano / Image courtesy of the artists

The reputed Sitkovetsky Duo with violinist Alexander Sitkovetsky, and pianist Wu Qian will perform a delightful music program preceded by a scholarly lecture by professor Nicolas Chong. The evening’s theme is a story about the Romantic period’s grand masters: Tchaikovsky, Brahms, and Grieg.

It is well-known that Brahms, a giant of the German school, and Tchaikovsky, the most popular Russian composer of all time had an acrimonious relationship. While they shared a birthday, March 7, and belonged to the same circle of friends and music connoisseurs, the story goes that they disliked each other’s music and were not that friendly with each other. This did not prevent them from sharing friends and spending good time in each other’s company. Grieg who with his wife was also part of the same social circle was skillfully able to smooth things out between the other two composers. 

The program on March 6, 2019 at Italian Academy of Columbia University features the works of all three:

Brahms Violin Sonata No. 2 in A major, Op. 100
Tchaikovsky Souvenir d’un lieu cher, Op. 42
Grieg Sonata No. 3 in C minor

The program highlights the strength of the individual style of composition and will make you forget the behind the scenes gossips. Get tickets at 33% off with code ARTSNY23 at checkout when attending the Aspect Foundation Concert Series for the first time. 

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Theater in NYC: The Dance of Death by August Strindberg at Classic Stage Company

Theater in NYC: The Dance of Death by August Strindberg at Classic Stage Company

August Strindberg’s 19th-century drama The Dance of Death opens in repertory at the Classic Stage Company from February 10, 2019 through March 10, 2019

Christopher Invar, Cassie Beck, Rich Tool in AUGUST STRINDBERG, Dance of Death at Classic Stage Company
Christopher Innvar, Cassie Beck, Rich Topol in AUGUST STRINDBERG, Dance of Death at Classic Stage Company; photo by Joan Marcus

A discerning examination of a married couple’s bond is observed by August Strindberg in The Dance of Death, which is staged by Classic Stage Company. Strindberg’s play, adapted for this new version by Conor McPherson and directed by Victoria Clark, was written in 1900 when the playwright himself was in the midst of a divorce. The elements of Strindberg’s personal life, the ills of Sweden’s society at the turn of the previous century, the ever-present concerns about complacency, competing intentions, and ubiquitous soul-searching are all interwoven into the story.

Stuck on a remote island at the coastal artillery outpost, the couple’s relationships grew from slight annoyance with each other to open contempt. Haunted by the aversion to their associates and the disdain of their superiors, Edgar, authentically played by Richard Topol, and his wife Alice, accurately portrayed by Cassie Beck, isolate themselves to the company of each other with no discernible way out of the tense situation. The arrival of their old friend and relative Kurt, played with ease by Christopher Innvar, promises a chance of revival and change. Yet, in Strindberg’s keen depiction of reality, the dark forces dominate and the jabs only get more potent furling the couple closer together in their unhappy dance to the end.  Get tickets at 56% off with TodayTIX

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Beyond NYC: Classical Music Concert “All about Love” at Bronxville Women’s Club

Beyond NYC: Classical Music Concert “All about Love” at Bronxville Women’s Club

Classical music program “All about LOVE” serenades your Valentine with music by Rachmaninoff, Beethoven, Heifetz/Gershwin, and Shostakovich at Bronxville Women’s Club on Saturday, February 16, 2019 at 7.30 pm

Shem Guibbory, violin; Oxana Mikhailoff, piano; Robert Burkhart, cello
Shem Guibbory, violin; Oxana Mikhailoff, piano; Robert Burkhart, cello / Images are courtesy of the artists

The Midland Concert Series at the Bronxville Women’s Club invites all music lovers to this fantastic celebration of love. The program features pianist Oxana Mikhailoff, violinist Shem Guiborry, and cellist Robert Burkhart.

Whether you like romantic music or prefer a jazzy vibe of Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess or are a fan of the tense melodic beauties of Shostakovich’s Preludes, you will find all of them in the program and you will love them.

Its All about LOVE!

Bring your love to the lovely Bronxville Women’s Club to celebrate with the rest of the music-loving crowd.

 

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Theater in NY: About Alice at TFANA in Brooklyn, NY

Theater in NY: About Alice at TFANA in Brooklyn, NY

Theatre For a New Audience presents a play by Calvin Trillin “About Alice” on January 8 – February 3, 2019

Carrie Paff as Alice, Jeffrey Bean as Calvin in "About Alice" at TFANA
Carrie Paff as Alice, Jeffrey Bean as Calvin in “About Alice” at TFANA; photo by Henry Grossman

Shortly after Calvin Trillin’s memoir “About Alice” was published  in 2007, it was adapted by the author for a two-character play. Trillin, a staff writer for The New Yorker magazine, wrote movingly about his late wife Alice in several books and essays.  At the suggestion of TFANA artistic director Jeffrey Horowitz who knew Alice when she was making an educational series on PBS, the work on the play “About Alice” continued for some time culminating in this theatrical run at TFANA.

The genuine performance by Jeffrey Bean as Calvin Trillin and Carrie Paff as Alice tell a touching story of how they met at a party, fell in love, and kept the precious light of their love burning for many years. It is telling that when a shorter version of the memoir “Alice, Off the Page” appeared in The New Yorker, people who did not know Alice personally kept writing to Mr. Trillin about their fascination with his wife’s cheerful nature, happiness with the world around her, and a sense of wholeness. With humor and utmost love the play tactfully lets the audience into the family life with all of its ups and downs. Get tickets at 56% off with TodayTIX

 

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