The Boston Conservatory has announced its fall season, with a host of affordable (many are free), professional-level productions for all kinds of art lovers, starting Sept. 4.
Among the season’s many upcoming performances are the Broadway hit-turned-movie On the Town, Gioacchino Rossino’s acclaimed comedic opera, The Italian Girl in Algiers, and many more plays, operas, concerts and showcases featuring conservatory students, faculty and guests artists.
The Conservatory is also staging two shows specifically for children this year: Wiley and the Hairy Man and The Billy Goats Gruff: A Children’s Opera.
Other fall season highlights include:
- Let’s Make a Sandwich, an experiment in opera production by Boston Conservatory Ensemble-in-Residence Guerilla Opera
- Cloud 9, an innovative, gender-bending comedic play
- Little Murders, a satirical, dark comedy theater production
- From the Ground Up, a presentation of new dance works by nationally- and internationally-recognized choreographers
- And numerous world-renowned musicians, including Claire Chase and Awadagin Pratt, performing works by Bach, Brahms, Debussy, Schubert, Tchaikovsky and many more.
There is more information below on each of these shows and several others, including specific dates and locations. You can also visit www.bostonconservatory.edu/perform for more details.
Fall Performances at The Boston Conservatory
Offer Something for Everyone
High-quality, affordable performances include dance, musicals, operas, plays
and instrumental performances of both classical and new works
(BOSTON — Aug. 21, 2014) The Boston Conservatory is featuring a host of affordable, professional-level productions this fall season for all kinds of art lovers. Among this season’s upcoming performances are the Broadway hit-turned-movie On the Town, Gioacchino Rossino’s acclaimed comedic opera, The Italian Girl in Algiers, and a selection of plays, operas, concerts and showcases featuring Conservatory students, faculty and guests artists.
In addition to the high-energy, New York City-based On the Town, The Boston Conservatory Theater Division will also present the innovative, gender-bending Caryl Churchill comedy, Cloud 9, and Jules Feiffer’s satirical, dark comedy, Little Murders. The Boston Conservatory Dance Division will present From the Ground Up, an exhibition of new works by nationally- and internationally-recognized choreographers. In addition to the opera department’s production of Rossini’s The Italian Girl in Algiers, Boston Conservatory Ensemble-in-Residence Guerilla Opera will perform Let’s Make a Sandwich, an experiment in opera production, featuring two world premiere operas by Boston Conservatory faculty members. In addition, the Conservatory will perform two shows specifically designed for younger audiences: Wiley and the Hairy Man and The Billy Goats Gruff: A Children’s Opera. The Conservatory will also host several world-renowned musicians—including Claire Chase and Awadagin Pratt—performing works by Bach, Brahms, Debussy, Schubert, Tchaikovsky and many more.
The Boston Conservatory offers many free performances, as well as ticketed events ranging from $10-$30. Ticketed mainstage performances are $30 for premium seating and $25 for general admission, with $5 discounts for seniors and $10 discounts for students. Orchestra concerts at Sanders Theatre are $15 for general admission, $10 for seniors and students.
Highlights of the Conservatory’s fall performance season are below; a complete listing of events can be online at www.bostonconservatory.edu/perform. Unless free or otherwise noted, tickets are available for purchase beginning Sept. 10 through The Boston Conservatory Box Office at (617) 912-9222 and online at www.bostonconservatory.edu/tickets. For more information, call The Boston Conservatory’s event line at (617) 912-9240 or visit www.bostonconservatory.edu.
Sept. 4–7
THEATER — Cloud 9
The Zack Box
Cloud 9 is a time-shifting comedy that is both a parody and spoof of the Victorian Empire and its rigid social constructs, particularly in regard to sexuality. Written by Caryl Churchill. Directed by Patsy Collins Bandes.
($) Tickets available for purchase through the Box Office beginning Aug. 25.
September 14
MUSIC — The Boston Conservatory String Masters Series: Colin Carr, cello
Seully Hall
Carr is a world-renowned cellist and winner of the Naumburg Competition, the Gregory Piatigorsky Memorial Award and the Rostropovich International Cello Competition (second prize).
BACH: Suite No. 2 in d minor, BWV 1008
BACH: Suite No. 4 in E-flat Major, BWV 1010
BACH: Suite No. 6 in D Major, BWV 1012
($) Tickets available for purchase through the Box Office beginning Aug. 25.
September 19
MUSIC — The Boston Conservatory Wind Ensemble: Eric Hewitt, conductor
The Boston Conservatory Theater
BERLIOZ: Hungarian March
IBERT: Cello Concerto—featuring Mickey Katz, cello
MILHAUD: Suite Française
GOUNOD: Petite Symphony
DUKAS: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
September 25–27
OPERA — Let’s Make a Sandwich
Guerilla Opera, Boston Conservatory Ensemble-in-Residence
The Zack Box
Ensemble-in-Residence presents Let’s Make a Sandwich, an experiment in opera production, featuring two world premiere operas by Boston Conservatory faculty members Curtis K. Hughes and Rudolf Rojahn.
CURTIS K. HUGHES: RareBit
RUDOLF ROJAHN: Uroboros
($) Tickets available for purchase through The Boston Conservatory Box Office beginning Sept. 10.
September 30
MUSIC — The Boston Conservatory Piano Masters Series: Awadagin Pratt
Seully Hall
Awadagin Pratt is an American pianist known for unique and stunning performances, having achieved great visibility and worldwide recognition since winning the Naumburg International Piano Competition and the Avery Fisher Career Grant.
BACH-BUSONI: Chaconne
BRAHMS: Variations on a Theme by Handel
LISZT: Sonata in b minor
($)
October 5
MUSIC — The Boston Conservatory Orchestra: Life, Death and the Afterlife—in Reverse: Bruce Hangen, conductor
Sanders Theatre at Harvard University
The Boston Conservatory Orchestra presents a collection of influential works by three of history’s greatest composers: Tchaikovsky’s penultimate Symphony No. 5 is a masterwork of orchestral writing, Strauss’ songs are to die for and Theofanidis’ work is influenced by the Buddhist concept of the after-life. The Strauss song cycle features faculty guest artist Kerry Deal (soprano), whose most recent appearance with the Orchestra was in Bernstein’s “Kaddish” Symphony.
THEOFANIDIS: Rainbow Body
R. STRAUSS: Four Last Songs—featuring Kerry Deal, soprano
TCHAIKOVSKY: Symphony No. 5
($) Call the Harvard Box Office for tickets at (617) 496-2222.
October 11
MUSIC — The Boston Conservatory Choruses:
Irving Fine: An American Legacy: George Case, conductor
Seully Hall
Women’s Chorus: Zhu Zhu, M.M. ’14, assistant conductor; Joe Turbessi, piano
THOMPSON: Alleluia; Pueri Hebraerum
WHITACRE: Five Hebrew Love Songs
FINE: Alleluia;“Caroline Million: II. Scherzando” from The Choral New Yorker; Three Choruses
from Alice in Wonderland, Second Series
Chorale: Dan Ryan, M.M. ’15, assistant conductor; Joe Turbessi, piano
FINE: Three Choruses from Alice in Wonderland, First Series
COPLAND: Old American Songs I/II
BARBER: Sure on this Shining Night; To Be Sung on the Water
DELLO JOIO: Come to Me, My Love
October 16–19
THEATER — On the Town
The Boston Conservatory Theater
A New York City musical comedy bursting with high energy and dancing, On the Town is the 1944-set story of three sailors who embark on an adventurous, 24-hour escapade to the Big Apple in search of love. Music by Leonard Bernstein. Lyrics and book by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. Directed and choreographed by Michelle Chassé. Musical direction by Bill Casey. Conducted by Reuben M. Reynolds, III.
($)
October 18
Opera — The Billy Goats Gruff: A Children’s Opera
Seully Hall
A delightful children’s opera that expands on the familiar fairy tale, The Billy Goats Gruff, is an exploration of how to overcome bullying. Performed in English. Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Gaetano Donizetti and Gioacchino Rossini. Adaptation and lyrics by John Davies. Stage direction by Nathan Troup. Music direction by Jean Anderson Collier.
October 19
MUSIC — The Boston Conservatory String Masters Series: Roberto Díaz, viola, and Max Levinson, piano
Seully Hall
Esteemed violist and president of Curtis Institute of Music, Roberto Díaz was principal violist of the National Symphony Orchestra and a former member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. His performance at The Boston Conservatory is accompanied by faculty member and Guardian Dublin International Piano Competition winner Max Levinson.
M. DE FALLA (arr. M. Díaz): Suite Populaire Espagnole
P. HINDEMITH: Sonata for Solo Viola, op. 25, No. 1
J. BRAHMS: Sonata for Viola and Piano in E-flat Major, op. 120, No. 2
E. BLOCH: Suite for Viola and Piano
($)
November 4
MUSIC — The Boston Conservatory Piano Masters Series: Michael Lewin
Seully Hall
Michael Lewin is an acclaimed American pianist, top prize winner of the Liszt International Competition, Kapell International Competition and American Pianists Association Fellowship, as well as a Boston Conservatory faculty member. He will perform works from his recently released, best-selling Debussy album, Beau Soir.
DEBUSSY (arr. Koji Attwood for Michael Lewin): Beau Soir; Nuits D’Etoiles
SCRIABIN: Sonata-Fantasy No. 2, op. 19
SCHUBERT: Fantasy in C Major (“Wanderer” Fantasy)
DEBUSSY: 12 Préludes, Book 1; L’isle joyeuse
($)
November 6–9
DANCE — From the Ground Up
The Boston Conservatory Theater
From the Ground Up is a series of new works created specially for Boston Conservatory dance students by nationally- and internationally-recognized choreographers, including Brian Brooks, Uri Sands, Omar Carrum, Claudia Lavista and Daniel Pelzig. Cathy Young, artistic director.
($)
November 9
MUSIC — The Boston Conservatory Orchestra: Bruce Hangen, conductor
Sanders Theatre at Harvard University
With no common overarching theme except musical greatness, Conductor Bruce Hangen presents a free-flowing musical adventure across a wide landscape of historical and stylistic repertoire. Featuring internationally-renowned pianist and Boston Conservatory faculty member Ya-Fei Chuang in Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 20 in d-minor.
DANIELPOUR: The Awakening Heart
MOZART: Piano Concerto No. 20 in d minor—featuring Ya-Fei Chuang, piano
VERDI: Prelude to Act I of La Traviata
GERSHWIN/BENNETT: “Symphony Picture” from Porgy and Bess
($) Call the Harvard Box Office for tickets at (617) 496-2222.
November 16
MUSIC — The Boston Conservatory String Masters Series: Andrew Mark, cello, and Max Levinson, piano
Seully Hall
Silver medalist at the 1993 Osaka International Chamber Music Competition and long-time Artistic Ambassador for the U.S., Andrew Mark has given recitals and masterclasses throughout Europe, Asia, South and Central America. His performance is accompanied by faculty member and Guardian Dublin International Piano Competition winner Max Levinson.
MARTINU: Variations on a Slovakian Theme
BEETHOVEN: Sonata in C Major, op. 102, No. 1
J. HARBISON: Suite for Solo Cello
STRAUSS: Sonata in F Major, op. 6
($)
November 19–22
MUSIC — The Boston Conservatory New Music Festival
Eric Hewitt, artistic director
Seully Hall
The New Music Festival is The Boston Conservatory’s annual, multi-day celebration of music’s evolution through the ages. It is dedicated to recognizing exceptional compositions by modern composers. This year, featured performers include Claire Chase, contemporary flute virtuoso and artistic director of International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE), American Contemporary Music Ensemble (ACME) and Boston Conservatory faculty, students and alumni, performing works by Caroline Shaw, Sofia Gubaidulina, Ellen Taffe Zwilich, Karola Obermüller, John Luther Adams, Marcos Balter, Du Yun and many more.
For more information on The Boston Conservatory’s New Music Festival, visit www.bostonconservatory.edu/nmf.
November 20–23
OPERA — The Italian Girl in Algiers (L’Italiana in Algeri)
The Boston Conservatory Theater
Rossini’s acclaimed comedic opera gem, The Italian Girl in Algiers, tells the story of a young woman who travels to Algiers to find her missing lover. Sung in Italian with English supertitles. Music by Gioacchino Rossini. Libretto by Angelo Anelli. Conducted by Andrew Altenbach. Stage direction by Johnathon Pape.
($)
November 20–23
THEATER – Wiley and the Hairy Man: A Theater-for-Young Audiences production
Zach Box Theater
Presented specifically for younger audiences, Wiley and the Hairy Man is a spine-tingling tale of a boy and his fears of a nearby swamp. Written by Susan Zeder. Directed by Peyton Pugmire.
($) Tickets available for purchase through the Box Office beginning Nov. 5.
December 2
MUSIC — The Boston Conservatory Piano Masters Series: David Korevaar
Seully Hall
David Korevaar is one of the most intellectually curious, versatile and pianistically-refined musicians in America. He will present a fascinating program of French works and Schubert’s monumental Sonata in A Major.
FAURÉ: Nocturne No. 7 in c-sharp minor
HARSÁNYI: Trois pièces de danse
POULENC: Les soirées de nazelles
SCHUBERT: Sonata in A Major, D. 959
($)
December 9–12
THEATER — Little Murders
The Boston Conservatory Theater
In this satirical, dark comedy, depressed New Yorker Alfred Chamberlain finds himself embroiled in an urban nightmare as his wedding to the perky, can-do Patsy Newquist grows near. Written by Jules Feiffer. Directed by Ken Baltin.
($)
December 10
MUSIC — The Boston Conservatory Choruses: From West to East: Psalms, Songs and Hymns: George Case, conductor & featuring The Boston Conservatory Orchestra
Fenway Center
Women’s Chorus
HOLST: Choral Hymns from the Rig Veda, Group III
O’REGAN: Triptych
Chorale and Conductors’ Choir
THOMPSON: The Last Words of David
BERNSTEIN: Chichester Psalms
December 12
MUSIC — The Boston Conservatory Wind Ensemble: Eric Hewitt, conductor
Fenway Center
STREBER: Distortions
SCHULLER: Song and Dance—featuring Irina Muresanu, violin
NAUMANN: Fanfarer, op. 25
HINDEMITH: Symphony in B-flat Major for band
Performance locations key:
At The Boston Conservatory:
Boston Conservatory Theater, 31 Hemenway Street
The Zack Box, Basement, 8 The Fenway
Off-campus:
Sanders Theatre, 45 Quincy Street, Cambridge
Fenway Center, 77 St. Stephen Street, Boston
All performance venues are handicapped accessible.
About The Boston Conservatory
The Boston Conservatory trains exceptional, young performing artists for careers that enrich and transform the human experience. Known for its intimate and supportive multi-disciplinary environment, The Boston Conservatory offers fully accredited graduate and undergraduate programs in music, dance and musical theater, and presents more than 600 performances each year by students, faculty and guest artists. Since its founding in 1867, The Boston Conservatory has shared its talent and creativity with the city of Boston, the region and the nation and continues to grow today as a vibrant community of artists and educators. For more information, visit www.bostonconservatory.edu.
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