Our annual Baroque Christmas program kicks off with Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on Greensleeves, the folk song from which the popular Christmas carol, “What Child Is This?” borrowed its melody. The festivities continue with Corelli’s “Christmas Concerto” and Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 by J.S. Bach. The program ends with selections from a holiday favorite, Handel’s Messiah, including the famous Hallelujah Chorus.

The New Orleans performance is sponsored by: 
Catherine B. Tremaine 

Artist travel and accommodations provided by: 

ARTISTS

José Luis Gomez, Conductor

Emily Birsan, Soprano 

Casey Candebat, Tenor NOVA Masterworks 

PROGRAM

Ralph Vaughan WilliamsFantasia on Greensleeves Arcangelo Corelli"Christmas Concerto" J.S. BachBrandenburg Concerto No. 3 Geroge Frideric HandelSelections from Messiah 

Program duration is approximately 2 hours including a 20-minute intermission.
There will be a pre-concert talk one hour prior to the performance.Louisiana Philharmonic - Baroque Christmas December 20, 21 7pm

Our annual Baroque Christmas program kicks off with Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on Greensleeves, the folk song from which the popular Christmas carol, “What Child Is This?” borrowed its melody. The festivities continue with Corelli’s “Christmas Concerto” and Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 by J.S. Bach. The program ends with selections from a holiday favorite, Handel’s Messiah, including the famous Hallelujah Chorus.

The New Orleans performance is sponsored by: 
Catherine B. Tremaine 

Artist travel and accommodations provided by: 

ARTISTS

José Luis Gomez, Conductor

Emily Birsan, Soprano 

Casey Candebat, Tenor NOVA Masterworks 

PROGRAM

Ralph Vaughan WilliamsFantasia on Greensleeves Arcangelo Corelli"Christmas Concerto" J.S. BachBrandenburg Concerto No. 3 Geroge Frideric HandelSelections from Messiah 

Program duration is approximately 2 hours including a 20-minute intermission.
There will be a pre-concert talk one hour prior to the performance.Louisiana Philharmonic - Baroque Christmas December 20, 21 7pm

PROGRAM INFO

Nathan Aspinall, Associate Conductor

Emily Birsan, Soprano

Amanda Crider, Mezzo-soprano

Alexander Dobson, Baritone

Jonathan Johnson, Tenor

Jacksonville Symphony Chorus

HANDELMessiah

“The greatest story ever told…the most majestic music ever conceived.” The Jacksonville Symphony, guest soloists and more than 100 voices from the Symphony Chorus present music’s most powerful message of faith in THE Messiah of the season.

PROGRAM INFO

Nathan Aspinall, Associate Conductor

Emily Birsan, Soprano

Amanda Crider, Mezzo-soprano

Alexander Dobson, Baritone

Jonathan Johnson, Tenor

Jacksonville Symphony Chorus

HANDELMessiah

“The greatest story ever told…the most majestic music ever conceived.” The Jacksonville Symphony, guest soloists and more than 100 voices from the Symphony Chorus present music’s most powerful message of faith in THE Messiah of the season.

Create the perfect tradition for your family this holiday season with the Bach Society Chorus and Orchestra. Special guests include The St. Louis Children’s Choirs directed by Barbara Berner, and legendary jazz singer Denise Thimes. Mendelssohn’s angelic cantata “Vom Himmel hoch”, featuring soprano Emily Birsan and baritone Ian Greenlaw, opens the concert followed by familiar carols and the enchanting beloved candlelight processional.

St. Louis Bach Society - Christmas Candlelight Concert 

Hallelujah!  Maestro Kirov ushers in the holiday season with this joyous masterpiece along with four special guests soloists and the heavenly Elmhurst Choral Union.

Stillan Kirov, Conductor

Elmhurst Choral Union

Emily Birsan, Soprano

Annie Rosen, Mezzo Soprano

Eric Ferring, Tenor

Bill McMurray, Bass

http://ipomusic.org/index.php/home.html

In observance of the 100th anniversary of the Armistice Day that ended the First World War, CAIC's Fall Lieder Lounge celebrates the many songs set by Austrian composer Gustav Mahler from the timeless collection of 19th-century German folk poetry, Des Knaben Wunderhorn  ("Youth's Magic Horn") in the years immediately preceding that conflict -- intertwined with classic poetry from the World War I generation, from poets both celebrated and forgotten.

Curated by former Chicago Opera Theater conductor Alexander Platt (Death in Venice, Nixon in China), the concert will feature Platt with soprano Emily Birsan, mezzo-soprano Julie Miller and baritone Ricardo Jose Rivera, the musicians of the Caroga Arts Collective, and the actor, writer and Iraq War veteran Benjamin Busch (Dust to Dust), who will read poems from British, German, and American poets of the WWI era. Wolfgang Renz, arranger for members of the Berlin Philharmonic, has specially produced a new set of instrumentations specifically for chamber orchestra, in order to be performed in the intimate grandeur of Symphony Center's Grainger Ballroom -- an historic, turn-of-the-century space in which Mahler himself would have felt at home. 

Mahler's songs, which resonate with the everyday life of the soldier, will chime with a specially-devised array of WW I poetry to form a truly unique and intimate experience of words and music -- neither overtly pacifist nor patriotic, but rather commemorating, in the immortal words of poet-martyr Wilfred Owen, the theme of "war, and the pity of war." 

PROGRAM

Gustav Mahler

selections from ​Des Knaben Wunderhorn

ARTISTS
Emily Birsan, soprano
Julie Miller, mezzo-soprano
Ricardo Jose Rivera, baritone
Benjamin Busch, narrator
Caroga Arts Ensemble
Alexander Platt, curator & conductor

Download a digital copy of the program booklet HERE

Semi Staged - With English Supertitles
Conductor: Gregory Ortega
With the Martha Cardona Opera Orchestra

TICKET INFORMATION
$40 ($75 for premium seating)
$30 for Seniors and Students

Please CLICK HERE to purchase tickets online, or call (212) 501-3330.

“Best of all was sopranoBirsan, whose exquisitely floated tones above the staff provided the most beautiful vocal moments of the evening in her enchanting portrayal of the title role.”Opera News

“The spry-voiced sopranoEmily Birsanwas a delightful and streetwise Susanna, and her skeptical look of disgust toward the slimier male characters brought the house down in laughter more than once... all that needed to be communicated was written on her face.”The Boston Globe (The Marriage of Figaro)

"Jonathan Tetelman, fresh from his last minute performance at Tanglewood's "La Boheme" in July - where his Rodolfo was all you could ask for - shined even more here...his voice (at age 28, mind you) promises that this is just the beginning of what may be a great career, and definitely a tenor to pay attention to." -Operawire(Il Duca)

"The real treat, however, came in the Duke sung by the tenorJonathan Tetelman, memorable as a last-minute replacement for Piotr Beczala in Tanglewood's concert performance of "La Boheme" last month. I was lucky to catch him then, and it was even better seeing him up close in a small theater: The guy's a total star. He provided one of the show's highlights: "La donna e mobile," delivered in a shiny space-cape that would have made David Bowie jealous." -NY Times

"Sunday's matinee was dominated by the remarkable performance ofEthan Simpsonas De Rocher...singing with a strong voice and bringing searing dramatic intensity to the role...Ethan Simpson is clearly a gifted artist we will be hearing more from." -Chicago Classical Review

"The most completely realized performance came fromEthan Simpson... As the jealous Count di Luna, he deployed flawless legato in "Il balen del suo sorisso", Luna’s fervent paean to lady-in-waiting Leonora, capping the aria with an exquisite high G that seemed to float in the air for several minutes" -Broadstreet Review

Link to video footage

BBC Symphony Wales - Concert Bernstein June 15

Fri 15 Jun 2018

19:30

Brangwyn Hall, Swansea

Feet will be tapping and fingers will be clicking in Bernstein's glittering music for the stage, as we join the celebrations for the composer’s centenary.

Programme

Composers

Leonard Bernstein

Three Dance Episodes from “On the Town”

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue – Take Care of This House

What a Movie! (Trouble in Tahiti)

Clarinet Sonata

Aaron Copland

El salón México

Leonard Bernstein

Candide – overture

Stephen Sondheim

Night Waltzes (A Little Night Music)

Leonard Bernstein

Candide – Glitter and Be Gay

Fancy Free

A Female Force: Ana Mendieta

April 26, 2018 7:00PM

De la Cruz Collection

23 NE 41st Street

Miami, FL  33137

FREE with RSVP

IlluminArts will present “A Female Force”: a program inspired by the work of celebrated Cuban-American artist Ana Mendieta at the De la Cruz Collection. Mendieta's work was largely autobiographical and focused on themes including nature, life, death, identity, place and belonging. Her art provides a wealth of inspiration that will be illuminated through a musical program focusing on works of female composers performed by female musicians. Using elements of multimedia, this performance event will break the norm of how classical music is consumed by today’s audiences, and provide a unique experience for Miami’s community. In her own words, “My art is the way I re-establish the bonds that unite me to the universe. It is a return to the maternal source.”

Experience the Music featuring some of your favorite melodies, and starring one of America’s leading tenors, Lawrence Brownlee, with artists from The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center of the Lyric Opera of Chicago - Emily Birsan, Jesse Donner, Will Liverman, and Lindsay Metzger - and the acclaimed Wheaton College Symphony Orchestra, Daniel Sommerville, conductor. 

Conductor James Southall

Original Director John Caird

Revival Director Caroline Chaney

Thursday, February 22, 2018 - Thursday, April 19, 2018

The arrogant and charismatic Don Giovanni seduces his way around Europe, taking what he wants and living for lust, without conscience. When one of his conquests ends in murder, it looks like his luck is about to turn. He finds himself on the run, pursued by disgruntled ex-lovers, fiancées and a force from beyond the grave. But when he refuses to show remorse, vengeance is inevitable and leads to his ultimate demise.

Based on the legend of Don Juan, Welsh National Opera’s production is set during the Spanish Golden Age. Mozart reflects both comedy and tragedy brilliantly in the score, including the ‘Catalogue’ aria detailing Giovanni’s list of 2065 lovers, the sparkling ‘Champagne’ aria and the high drama of the heart-stopping finale.

Conductor James Southall

Original Director John Caird

Revival Director Caroline Chaney

Thursday, February 22, 2018 - Thursday, April 19, 2018

The arrogant and charismatic Don Giovanni seduces his way around Europe, taking what he wants and living for lust, without conscience. When one of his conquests ends in murder, it looks like his luck is about to turn. He finds himself on the run, pursued by disgruntled ex-lovers, fiancées and a force from beyond the grave. But when he refuses to show remorse, vengeance is inevitable and leads to his ultimate demise.

Based on the legend of Don Juan, Welsh National Opera’s production is set during the Spanish Golden Age. Mozart reflects both comedy and tragedy brilliantly in the score, including the ‘Catalogue’ aria detailing Giovanni’s list of 2065 lovers, the sparkling ‘Champagne’ aria and the high drama of the heart-stopping finale.

Conductor James Southall

Original Director John Caird

Revival Director Caroline Chaney

Thursday, February 22, 2018 - Thursday, April 19, 2018

The arrogant and charismatic Don Giovanni seduces his way around Europe, taking what he wants and living for lust, without conscience. When one of his conquests ends in murder, it looks like his luck is about to turn. He finds himself on the run, pursued by disgruntled ex-lovers, fiancées and a force from beyond the grave. But when he refuses to show remorse, vengeance is inevitable and leads to his ultimate demise.

Based on the legend of Don Juan, Welsh National Opera’s production is set during the Spanish Golden Age. Mozart reflects both comedy and tragedy brilliantly in the score, including the ‘Catalogue’ aria detailing Giovanni’s list of 2065 lovers, the sparkling ‘Champagne’ aria and the high drama of the heart-stopping finale.

Conductor James Southall

Original Director John Caird

Revival Director Caroline Chaney

Thursday, February 22, 2018 - Thursday, April 19, 2018

The arrogant and charismatic Don Giovanni seduces his way around Europe, taking what he wants and living for lust, without conscience. When one of his conquests ends in murder, it looks like his luck is about to turn. He finds himself on the run, pursued by disgruntled ex-lovers, fiancées and a force from beyond the grave. But when he refuses to show remorse, vengeance is inevitable and leads to his ultimate demise.

Based on the legend of Don Juan, Welsh National Opera’s production is set during the Spanish Golden Age. Mozart reflects both comedy and tragedy brilliantly in the score, including the ‘Catalogue’ aria detailing Giovanni’s list of 2065 lovers, the sparkling ‘Champagne’ aria and the high drama of the heart-stopping finale.

Conductor James Southall

Original Director John Caird

Revival Director Caroline Chaney

Thursday, February 22, 2018 - Thursday, April 19, 2018

The arrogant and charismatic Don Giovanni seduces his way around Europe, taking what he wants and living for lust, without conscience. When one of his conquests ends in murder, it looks like his luck is about to turn. He finds himself on the run, pursued by disgruntled ex-lovers, fiancées and a force from beyond the grave. But when he refuses to show remorse, vengeance is inevitable and leads to his ultimate demise.

Based on the legend of Don Juan, Welsh National Opera’s production is set during the Spanish Golden Age. Mozart reflects both comedy and tragedy brilliantly in the score, including the ‘Catalogue’ aria detailing Giovanni’s list of 2065 lovers, the sparkling ‘Champagne’ aria and the high drama of the heart-stopping finale.

Conductor James Southall

Original Director John Caird

Revival Director Caroline Chaney

Thursday, February 22, 2018 - Thursday, April 19, 2018

The arrogant and charismatic Don Giovanni seduces his way around Europe, taking what he wants and living for lust, without conscience. When one of his conquests ends in murder, it looks like his luck is about to turn. He finds himself on the run, pursued by disgruntled ex-lovers, fiancées and a force from beyond the grave. But when he refuses to show remorse, vengeance is inevitable and leads to his ultimate demise.

Based on the legend of Don Juan, Welsh National Opera’s production is set during the Spanish Golden Age. Mozart reflects both comedy and tragedy brilliantly in the score, including the ‘Catalogue’ aria detailing Giovanni’s list of 2065 lovers, the sparkling ‘Champagne’ aria and the high drama of the heart-stopping finale.

Ward Stare, conductor
Emily Birsan, soprano

BERG  Seven Early Songs
MAHLER  Symphony No. 4

No symphony begins as beguilingly, none casts such an exquisite spell. Step inside the magical world of Mahler’s Fourth, famous for its ethereal sleigh bells, time-altering beauty, and child’s dream of heaven. The stage is set with Alban Berg’s dreamy, rapturous art songs which drift through wondrous landscapes of silver-lit nights and sweet summer breezes.

Join conductors and special guests for a free, fun, and lively discussion about the music before each Philharmonics Series concert. Talks start one hour before the concert and end with ample time for you to refresh before the concert begins. Talks are held on the orchestra level of the Eastman Theatre.

Join conductors and special guests for a free, fun, and lively discussion about the music before each Philharmonics Series concert. Talks start one hour before the concert and end with ample time for you to refresh before the concert begins. Talks are held on the orchestra level of the Eastman Theatre.

Conductor James Southall

Original Director John Caird

Revival Director Caroline Chaney

Thursday, February 22, 2018 - Thursday, April 19, 2018

The arrogant and charismatic Don Giovanni seduces his way around Europe, taking what he wants and living for lust, without conscience. When one of his conquests ends in murder, it looks like his luck is about to turn. He finds himself on the run, pursued by disgruntled ex-lovers, fiancées and a force from beyond the grave. But when he refuses to show remorse, vengeance is inevitable and leads to his ultimate demise.

Based on the legend of Don Juan, Welsh National Opera’s production is set during the Spanish Golden Age. Mozart reflects both comedy and tragedy brilliantly in the score, including the ‘Catalogue’ aria detailing Giovanni’s list of 2065 lovers, the sparkling ‘Champagne’ aria and the high drama of the heart-stopping finale.

Conductor James Southall

Original Director John Caird

Revival Director Caroline Chaney

Thursday, February 22, 2018 - Thursday, April 19, 2018

The arrogant and charismatic Don Giovanni seduces his way around Europe, taking what he wants and living for lust, without conscience. When one of his conquests ends in murder, it looks like his luck is about to turn. He finds himself on the run, pursued by disgruntled ex-lovers, fiancées and a force from beyond the grave. But when he refuses to show remorse, vengeance is inevitable and leads to his ultimate demise.

Based on the legend of Don Juan, Welsh National Opera’s production is set during the Spanish Golden Age. Mozart reflects both comedy and tragedy brilliantly in the score, including the ‘Catalogue’ aria detailing Giovanni’s list of 2065 lovers, the sparkling ‘Champagne’ aria and the high drama of the heart-stopping finale.

Conductor James Southall

Original Director John Caird

Revival Director Caroline Chaney

Thursday, February 22, 2018 - Thursday, April 19, 2018

The arrogant and charismatic Don Giovanni seduces his way around Europe, taking what he wants and living for lust, without conscience. When one of his conquests ends in murder, it looks like his luck is about to turn. He finds himself on the run, pursued by disgruntled ex-lovers, fiancées and a force from beyond the grave. But when he refuses to show remorse, vengeance is inevitable and leads to his ultimate demise.

Based on the legend of Don Juan, Welsh National Opera’s production is set during the Spanish Golden Age. Mozart reflects both comedy and tragedy brilliantly in the score, including the ‘Catalogue’ aria detailing Giovanni’s list of 2065 lovers, the sparkling ‘Champagne’ aria and the high drama of the heart-stopping finale.

Conductor James Southall

Original Director John Caird

Revival Director Caroline Chaney

Thursday, February 22, 2018 - Thursday, April 19, 2018

The arrogant and charismatic Don Giovanni seduces his way around Europe, taking what he wants and living for lust, without conscience. When one of his conquests ends in murder, it looks like his luck is about to turn. He finds himself on the run, pursued by disgruntled ex-lovers, fiancées and a force from beyond the grave. But when he refuses to show remorse, vengeance is inevitable and leads to his ultimate demise.

Based on the legend of Don Juan, Welsh National Opera’s production is set during the Spanish Golden Age. Mozart reflects both comedy and tragedy brilliantly in the score, including the ‘Catalogue’ aria detailing Giovanni’s list of 2065 lovers, the sparkling ‘Champagne’ aria and the high drama of the heart-stopping finale.

Conductor James Southall

Original Director John Caird

Revival Director Caroline Chaney

Thursday, February 22, 2018 - Thursday, April 19, 2018

The arrogant and charismatic Don Giovanni seduces his way around Europe, taking what he wants and living for lust, without conscience. When one of his conquests ends in murder, it looks like his luck is about to turn. He finds himself on the run, pursued by disgruntled ex-lovers, fiancées and a force from beyond the grave. But when he refuses to show remorse, vengeance is inevitable and leads to his ultimate demise.

Based on the legend of Don Juan, Welsh National Opera’s production is set during the Spanish Golden Age. Mozart reflects both comedy and tragedy brilliantly in the score, including the ‘Catalogue’ aria detailing Giovanni’s list of 2065 lovers, the sparkling ‘Champagne’ aria and the high drama of the heart-stopping finale.

The Beatitudes (Bliss) – BBC Symphony Orchestra

"The soprano Emily Birsan was silvery clear"

- The Times

"Soloists Ben Johnson and Emily Birsan impressed, not least in their bright-timbre but in the apparent ease with which they dispatched their unforgiving vocal lines: “O blessed Jesu” is littered with ungrateful leaps which both singers took in their stride."

- BachTrack.com

"The two soloists – Emily Birsan and Ben Johnson – were well cast . . . Birsan’s sweet top register provided the notes of the pastoral lark."

- MusicOMH.com

"The American soprano Emily Birsan is not as yet well-known this side of the Atlantic, but I’m sure we shall be hearing more of her lovely voice in the future."

- Seen and Heard International

"Emily Birsan responded with keen sensitivity and perception to some of Bliss’s most radiant settings for soprano"

- ClassicalSource.com