About.com Classical Music

PBS's Great Performances

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 02:06:58 +0000

This Thanksgiving, PBS will broadcast one of two Christmas concerts: Andrea Bocelli and David Foster's My Christmas or Sting's A Winter's Night. Check your local PBS listings to get a schedule of the upcoming presentations.

Andrea Bocelli and David Foster's star-studded My Christmas will feature special guests including Mary J. Blige, Natalie Cole, Katherine Jenkins, Reba McEntire, The Muppets, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. You'll hear performances of Christmas classics like "O Holy Night," "Jingle Bells," "Silent Night," and more. Apart from the English selections, you'll also hear songs in Italian and German.

Recorded in one of England's most famous cathedrals (Durham Cathedral), Sting's A Winter's Night features familiar Christmas songs as well as works from many centuries past, and even new songs. Sting's Christmas concert will prove to be folksy, enchanting, and quite mellow - a perfect conclusion to a day of great food, family, and friends.

Learn more about PBS's Great Performances.

PBS's Great Performances originally appeared on About.com Classical Music on Sunday, November 22nd, 2009 at 02:06:58.

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"Sempre Libera" Lyrics and Text Translation

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:32:28 +0000

Since it is National Opera Week, after all, I've posted the Italian lyrics and English translation of Violetta's aria "Sempre Libera" from Verdi's opera, La Traviata. I first heard this aria about twelve years ago, sung non other by the great Dame Joan Sutherland. Do you remember the first time you heard "Sempre Libera"?

"Sempre Libera" Lyrics and Text Translation originally appeared on About.com Classical Music on Sunday, November 15th, 2009 at 23:32:28.

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Free Met Player

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:19:33 +0000

The Metropolitan Opera is showing free selections on Met Player, its online service that streams over 250 opera performances on demand, in celebration of National Opera Week. The Met Player will show three new selections every day until November 22. Next three performances on schedule for Monday, Nov. 16: "Orrida e questa notte" from Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor, "Father, can this be the Shadow," from Tan Dun's The First Emperor, and "Per pieta, ben mio, perdona" from Mozart's Cossi fan tutti. Learn more about Met Player and the free selections for National Opera Week.

Free Met Player originally appeared on About.com Classical Music on Sunday, November 15th, 2009 at 23:19:33.

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National Opera Week

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:53:59 +0000

November 13 through November 22 is National Opera Week. Throughout the week long celebration of operatic arts in the United States, opera houses across the US will host free events and activities to opera lovers and newcomers alike to raise awareness and public interest. If you're interested in celebrating National Opera Week, check with your local (or nearest) opera company! Happy Opera Week, everyone!

National Opera Week originally appeared on About.com Classical Music on Friday, November 13th, 2009 at 22:53:59.

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"Les Oiseaux dans la charmille" Lyrics and Translation

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:56:13 +0000

I've been listening to soprano Natalie Dessay lately, in particular, "Les Oiseaux dans la charmille" from Offenbach's Les Contes d'Hoffmann (one of my favorites). I've been humming along with it for the past few years, but recently decided it was time to finally learn the French lyrics. So now, even though I still only hum the song, I know what she is singing! And because I'm so nice, I want to share both the French lyrics and English translation with you. Learn "Les Oiseaux dans la charmille."

"Les Oiseaux dans la charmille" Lyrics and Translation originally appeared on About.com Classical Music on Sunday, November 8th, 2009 at 01:56:13.

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The Met: Live in HD, Season 4

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 20:10:40 +0000

Now in it's fourth season, The Met: Live in HD has been broadcasting live performances in high definition to theaters around the world since 2006. This Saturday, November 7th, the Met will present its third Live in HD broadcast of the season, Puccini's Turandot. Saturday's performance will star Maria Guleghina as the Chinese princess, Turandot, and Marcello Giordani as Cal�f, the prince whose solos include the famous "Nessun dorma." I'm looking forward to viewing this production, as the last Turandot I saw at the Met was lackluster and pathetic. This year's production, directed by Franco Zeffirelli, who is known for his opulent productions, promises to deliver dramatic visuals along with fantastic music. Learn more about The Met: Live in HD, including upcoming performances, history, and ticket information.

The Met: Live in HD, Season 4 originally appeared on About.com Classical Music on Sunday, November 1st, 2009 at 20:10:40.

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Sometimes It's Better Not to Perform

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 23:08:39 +0000

In a recent article by Philip Boroff, it was reported that the average income for a Carnegie Hall stage hand in New York City is $430,543. This proves that being a stage hand isn't as nerdy as some people think!

Sometimes It's Better Not to Perform originally appeared on About.com Classical Music on Sunday, October 25th, 2009 at 23:08:39.

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Shanghai Symphony Orchestra to Tour North America

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 22:26:32 +0000

In just a few weeks, November 10th to be exact, Asia's oldest orchestra, the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, will embark on a historic tour of North America, starting at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Under the direction of Maestro Long Yu, the SSO will perform in twelve cities in the US and Canada (listed below) in celebration of the orchestra's 130th anniversary as well as the 60th anniversary of the People's Republic of China. Unfortunately, the SSO will not make it anywhere near the middle of the US, but those of you who live in California and New York have a special chance to see a rare US performance of the Chinese orchestra. The SSO has long been a cultural ambassador, and to bridge the gap between Eastern and Western music, they will perform both styles of music during the tour. Audiences can expect to hear Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18, Chen Qigang's Iris d�voil�e, and Bao Yuan Kai's China Air Suite.

SSO Performance Dates and Venues

Nov. 10 - New York City @ Carnegie Hall

Nov. 11 - Worchester, MA @ Mechanics Hall

Nov. 12 - New Brunswick, NJ @ State Theatre

Nov. 13 - Greenvale, NY @ North Fork Hall

Nov. 14 - Fairfax, VA @ Center for the Arts, George Mason Univ.

Nov. 16 - Toronto, ON, Canada @ Roy Thompson Hall

Nov. 19 - La Jolla, CA @ Copley Symphony Hall

Nov. 20 - Santa Barbara, CA @ Grenada Theatre

Nov. 21 - Davis, CA @ Jackson Hall

Nov. 22 - Berkeley, CA @ Zellerbach Hall

Nov. 24 - Costa Mesa, CA @ Segerstrom Concert Hall

Nov. 25 - Palm Desert, CA @ McCallum Theatre

Shanghai Symphony Orchestra to Tour North America originally appeared on About.com Classical Music on Sunday, October 25th, 2009 at 22:26:32.

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Joshua Bell's At Home with Friends

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 21:55:33 +0000

Classical Music CD Review
I finally had the chance to listen to Joshua Bell's latest album, At Home with Friends, and I'm happy I did. As I mentioned a few Sunday's ago, the album features an eclectic blend of music and musicians including Kristin Chenoweth, Sting, Marvin Hamlisch, and more. The flawless and effortless playing of Bell combined with the stellar performances of the guest artists, make for a truly unique and memorable listening experience. Read more...

Joshua Bell's At Home with Friends originally appeared on About.com Classical Music on Sunday, October 18th, 2009 at 21:55:33.

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2009 Halloween Classical Music Concerts

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 12:53:00 +0000

This year, why not take your family to a Halloween classical music concert? Many of the concerts listed here encourage children to come in costume and participate in pre-concert activities like costume contests, petting zoos, and story telling. Also, the majority of these family Halloween concerts happen about a week before Halloween, meaning that your children won't miss out on an evening of trick-or-treating! For those of you looking for something a little less child-oriented, there are a few Halloween concerts listed here for adults, like the silent horror movie accompanied by live organ at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. Read more...

2009 Halloween Classical Music Concerts originally appeared on About.com Classical Music on Sunday, October 11th, 2009 at 12:53:00.

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