Opera/Classical


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Published: Jan 14, 2009

Academy of Vocal Arts: Ottorino Respighi's La Fiamma

An oddity; a nearly unknown opera written by a very popular composer. Respighi's 1934 drama set in seventh-century Italy was a great success when it premièred. Can AVA rescue it from obscurity? To be performed in concert version.

Jan. 23-24, Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St., 215-735-1685, avaopera.org.

Cleveland Orchestra

One of the great American orchestras brings the sprawling wartime music of Shostakovich to town, his "Leningrad" Symphony. Franz Welser-Möst will also conduct Mozart.

Feb. 8, Kimmel Center, 215-893-1999, kimmelcenter.org.

Opera Company of Philadelphia: Giacomo Puccini's Turandot

Puccini's final work. The sob-meister checked out with big, gaudy fireworks and the world's most famous tenor aria ("Nessun Dorma").

Feb. 20-March 6, Academy of Music, 1420 Locust St., 215-893-1999, operaphila.org.

Franz Welser-Möst

Astral Artists

No cookie-cutter concert, this; music by Berio, Denisov, Ravel, Ginastera and Harbison, performed on various combinations of cello, saxophone and piano by Astral's extraordinary young artists.

Feb. 22, Trinity Center for Urban Life, 2212 Spruce St., 215-735-6999, astralartists.org.

Vienna Philharmonic

It would be a treat to hear this extraordinary ensemble play scales. As it is, we will hear Wagner, Chopin and the mighty Schubert Ninth Symphony, with Zubin Mehta as the designated stick-waver.

Feb. 24, Kimmel Center.

Philadelphia Orchestra

Will he make it? Vladimir Jurowski had to cancel his last outing with the band, a big disappointment to those auditioning the choices for the next music director. A program of Berg and Mahler will be a great test of his vaunted communicative powers.

March 5-8 and 10, Kimmel Center, philorch.org.

Network for New Music

Music from hometown composer Andrea Clearfield via Tibet. She traveled to Lo Monthang last year, with artist Maureen Drdak in tow, to find inspiration for a new multimedia project for the Network ensemble and Group Motion Dance Co.

March 6, Dorrance Hamilton Hall, University of the Arts, 320 S. Broad St., 215-848-7647, networkfornewmusic.org.

Curtis/OCP: Alban Berg's Wozzeck

The second annual collaboration between Curtis Opera and the Opera Company of Philadelphia brings us a concert version of the ever remarkable one actor from deep in the dark heart of early 20th-century German expressionism.

March 13, 15 and 18, Kimmel Center, 215-893-1999, curtis.edu.

Johannes Quartet

This youthful foursome conjures the luxuriant sound of old European string quartets. They present a terrific program of old and new, including Salonen, Brahms, Webern and Mozart.

March 29, Benjamin Franklin Hall, 427 Chestnut St., 215-569-8080, pcmsconcerts.org.

Chamber Music Now!

The ghosts of Willie Sutton and Al Capone will greet new music by Philip Maneval and others, performed within the castled walls of Eastern State Penitentiary.

April 24-25, May 1 and 3, Eastern State Penitentiary, 2124 Fairmount Ave., 800-595-4849, chambermusicnow.org.

Mitsuko Uchida, piano

Uchida's annual visits here for the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society are high points of the season. This supremely magnetic artist will play masterpieces of Mozart, Beethoven and Schumann.

April 27, Kimmel Center, 215-569-8080, pcmsconcerts.org.

Piffaro

The combination of music, math and astronomy proved to be a powerful stew in the world of Renaissance music. This world-class ensemble will be joined by a vocal quartet in an exploration of musica humana.

May 8, St. Mark's Church, 1625 Locust St., 215-235-8469, piffaro.org.

Philadelphia Orchestra

Charles Dutoit closes his first year as chief conductor with a blockbuster, the magnificent Berlioz Requiem. The Philadelphia Singers Chorale, which gave their own memorable performance of the work several seasons ago, will provide the lung power.

June 18, 19 and 21, Kimmel Center, 215-893-1999, philorch.org.

(p_burwasser@citypaper.net)