Classical/Opera


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Published: Sep 15, 2010

Verdi's Otello

The most powerful operatic take on Shakespeare has long been absent from Philadelphia stages. It is a highly challenging masterpiece; bravi to OCP for taking it on.

Oct. 1, 3, 6, 10 and 15, Academy of Music, 1420 Locust St., 215-732-8400, operaphila.org.

Tempesta di Mare

A period instrument homage to the music-drenched city of Dresden, which was a hub of the German Baroque movement. This acclaimed local ensemble presents a program of composers who will be familiar to their growing legions of fans: Fasch, Hasse, Weiss, Vivaldi and Zelenka.

Oct. 3, Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill, 8855 Germantown Ave., Oct. 2, Arch Street Meeting House, 320 Arch St., 215-755-8776, tempestadimare.org.

Takács String Quartet with Jeffrey Kahane

As some of the vaunted names in the string quartet world age, and even go out of business, it is good to know that the younger generation is better than ever. Here is a superb foursome in a wonderful program of Schubert, and a new work by Daniel Kellogg. Pianist Kahane will play the great, sprawling Schubert Sonata in B flat.

Oct. 15, Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St., 215-569-8080, pcmsconcerts.org.

1807 And Friends with Cynthia Raim

Thirty Years! That's how long this homegrown ensemble has been presenting world-class music in informal and intimate concerts. Farrenc, Fauré and a Brahms piano trio with the terrific Raim as guest.

Oct. 18, Academy of Vocal Arts, 1920 Spruce St., 215-438-4027, frnd1807@verizon.net.

Dolce Souno

New music by one of the leaders of the new tonality movement, Richard Danielpour. His Remembering Neda: Trio for Flute Cello and Piano is an homage to a martyr of the anti-totalitarian movement in Iran.

Oct. 22, Trinity Center for Urban Life, 2212 Spruce St., 267-252-1803, dolcesouno.com.

Philadelphia Orchestra

All ears will be on this first concert featuring conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin since his appointment as the next music director of the Orchestra. Symphonies from Haydn and Mahler to test his mettle.

Oct. 29, Kimmel Center, 215-893-1999, philorch.org.

Dresden Staatskapelle

Talk about history — here's an orchestra that this season celebrates its 462nd birthday. A single work will be on this program, the grandly humanistic German Requiem of Brahms.

Nov. 2, Kimmel Center, 215-893-1999, kimmelcenter.org.

Academy of Vocal Arts

"The Scarlet Letter" is a brand spanking new opera commissioned in honor of the 75th anniversary of this vaunted vocal training ground. Philadelphia composer Margaret Garwood has set the brooding Romantic masterpiece of Nathaniel Hawthorne.

Nov. 19, Academy of Vocal Arts.

Network for New Music

An encore of local composer Andrea Clearfield's enticing Lung-ta, directly inspired by her in-the-field musicological work in Tibet.

Nov. 21, Philadelphia Ethical Society, 1906 Rittenhouse Square, 215-848-7647, networkfornewmusic.org.

Curtis Chamber

Here's a terrific collection of early 20th century masterpieces by a redoubtable student ensemble; works by Griffes, Milhaud, Martin and Stravinsky.

Dec. 5, Kimmel Center, 215-569-8080, pcmsconcerts.org.

Simone Dinnerstein

Brooklyn-based Dinnerstein scored a huge hit with her unconventionally produced recording of Bach's Goldberg Variations. It started here; Astral Artists was her first agent, and Philadelphia was the launching pad for her career.

Dec. 6, Church of the Holy Trinity, 1904 Walnut St., 215-735-6999, astralartists.org.