by Daniel Hathaway
HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND:
Here’s a selection from a long list of end-of-season events that might interest you.
On the local scene, Oberlin broadcasts its last Stage Left episode on Saturday, and on Sunday, the Broadway School of Music and the Canton Symphony will hold live and in-person events (Canton also offers the option to view its return to the stage remotely).
And on the Web? Take a deep breath and choose from this list: on Saturday, Britten’s Albert Herring from Minnesota opera, Bartök’s Bluebeard’s Castle and Saariaho’s Vista from Berlin, the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, the Menuhin Competition Senior Finals, the opening concert of Cincinnati’s May Festival, violinist Nathan Meltzer with the Charlotte Symphony, violinist Augusta McKay Lodge with IndyBaroque, and Music Worcester with tenor Lawrence Brownlee (pictured). On Sunday: Janácek’s The Cunning Little Vixen from Glyndbourne, A Far Cry, the chamber orchestra from Boston, harpsichordist Aya Hamada from Music Before 1800, and the Cassatt Quartet playing Victoria Bond.
THIS WEEKEND’S ALMANAC:
Just to choose a few dates to highlight, raise a toast to Richard Wagner, who was born on May 22 in 1813, and celebrated his 59th birthday by laying the cornerstone of his Festival Theater in Bayreuth. It’s a good reason to enjoy Anna Russell’s brilliant “analysis” of the Ring Cycle.
Memorialize French composer Henri Dutileux, who died on May 22, 2013 in Angers, with a live performance of his 5 Métaboles by The Cleveland Orchestra under George Szell from 1967.
On May 23, 1885, Paraguayan composer Augustín Barrios Mangoré was born in San Bautista de las Misiones. The Cleveland Classical Guitar Society presented Paraguayan guitarist Berta Rojas in a 2020 online concert devoted to his music, including special guests Paquito D’Rivera (clarinet), Milagros Caliva (bandoneon), and Marcelo Enrique Barrios (the composer’s great-grandson).
Add Edmund Rubbra, born on May 23, 1901 in Northampton, to the list of underperformed British composers who should receive more exposure. Harry Christophers talks about a new recording he’s made of Rubbra’s music with The Sixteen here.
Mark the birthday of Spanish pianist Alicia de Larrocha, born on this date in 1923 with a special tribute filmed on the 91st anniversary of that event.
Finally, take note of the birthday in New York of American experimental composer Robert Moog on May 23, 1934, with a two-part Pacific Radio interview conducted in his studio that covers the invention of the synthesizer named after him, and the music written for it.
