French Meditations

The Salvation Army Scarborough Citadel Community Church

From great romance to revolutionary fervour, France doesn’t do things by halves. Passion and flair pulse through every corner of French cultural life, whether in the cool sophistication of its cinema, the rich flavours of its cuisine or the vibrant sounds of its music.

EPSG:4326

The Hallé: Vive La France!

Royal Concert Hall Nottingham

The Indiana Wind Symphony’s “Chanson Française” concert presents a complete miniature symphony characterized by elegance, delicacy, and sweetness. The first movement begins with a slow introduction reminiscent of Haydn, followed by an Allegretto in sonata form. The second movement highlights the addition of a solo flute. The scherzo that follows is based on a hunting theme and leads into a lively finale in the fourth movement, bringing the symphony to a spirited close.

Chanson Française

Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts

Five acts, four rich duets: from the emotion of their first exchanges on enemy soil to their union in a foregone conclusion, Shakespeare's two heroes sing of their love in sun-drenched melodies, which Charles Gounod, a learned playwright, darkens as they descend into their destiny. The Orchestre National de France accompanies two exceptional singers, dreamlike voices and born actors, in a concert version of this masterpiece of our heritage, a moment of French sensitivity.

Romeo and Juliet / Oropesa / Castronovo

Théâtre des Champs-Élysées

This concert features American composer Aaron Copland with his dramatic musical story of legendary outlaw Billy the Kid.  Copland’s brilliant score takes us through scenes of wagons, a frontier town, a nighttime card game, and even a gun battle from the American West.  The concert opens with American composer Gabriela Lena Frank’s Three Latin American Dances, a work depicting rhythms and dances of regions in South America.

Billy The Kid

California State University, Chico

Cascade Theatre

Juan Diego Flórez

Teatro alla Scala

Christmas Concert / Lorenzo Viotti

Embrace the magic of the season at our most popular concert of the year! The Holiday Spectacular returns for its fifth year, featuring the warm, expressive voice of tenor Terrence Chin-Loy and a heartwarming program of holiday favorites.

Holiday Spectacular

Willson Auditorium

Experienced amateur musicians share the stage with the Philharmonic Orchestra, performing a diverse program from Gounod to Howard Shore. From French esprit and virtuoso timbres to epic film music—their collaborative music creates a sound full of energy and diversity.

Participation Concert 2025

Globe Coburg

Calling all pirates, princesses, dragons, superheroes, ghosts, and goblins! Celebrate the spooky season with a night at
the Spooky Symphony, where you’ll hear spooky music and
soundtracks from Hollywood’s best spooky movies! Come in
costume for this fun-filled family concert!

Spooky Symphony

Washburn University

"Luminous rays emanated from the Mass de Sainte Cécile. At first, one was dazzled, then enchanted, then overwhelmed." Thus, Camille Saint-Saëns bowed in 1855 before the latest coup of his colleague Charles Gounod. With the Mass of St. Cecilia, Gounod paid homage to the patron saint of sacred music. 

Guest performance in Dresden Concert for the 20th anniversary of the Kirchweihfest

Frauenkirche Dresden

MondayMusic - Ensemble X

The Royal Danish Academy of Music

Join us for a evening of swooning melodies from Donizetti’s Lucia Di Lammermoor, Gounod’s Romeo et Juliette, and other slections from our upcoming fully staged production of Di Fledermaus (September 2026) tell the cost of love held hostage by custom and hate.

Enjoy Grammy-award winning tenor Robert McPherson and talented coloratura Chloe Sundet, and other talent local artist.

INO Presents: Loved Denied

Jacklin Arts and Cultural Center

First Lutheran Church-ELCA

Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture

A Message from Nachtigall Artists, the Concert Organizer
It is a great honor and pleasure for us that we have been able, for the last 25 years, to bring the most famous opera stars to you – the Czech audience. We value the support of all of you, whether you have been our fans since our beginnings or you started coming our concerts recently. Whether we like it or not, a quarter-century makes us to look back, reflect on what we have accomplished, but above all, we are now obliged to throw a really big party.

Anniversary gala: 25 years of Nachtigall Artists

Smetana Hall Municipal House

YSP Closing Concert — Mozarteum Orchestra · Cimento

House for Mozart

Opening Concert Of Špilberk Festival

Park of the Špilberk Castle

When the Kurhaus Wiesbaden opens its doors to the magnificent Friedrich-von-Thiersch Hall at the end of June, we are particularly delighted that this year it will once again be the venue for the second opening concert of the Rheingau Music Festival. Not only will we be welcoming the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra to this concert once again, but we will also be taking the opportunity to let you revel in the multifaceted sounds of this year's featured composer, Maurice Ravel, and to present you with a wonderful pianist: Beatrice Rana, together with the orchestra and Alain Altinoglu, will perform Maurice Ravel's sensitively and excitingly orchestrated Piano Concerto in G major. And when the MDR Radio Choir envelops the Kurhaus in very special sounds with Charles Gounod's famous "Cecilia Mass" in the second half, nothing will stand in the way of a successful second opening concert.

Opening concert at the Kurhaus Wiesbaden

Kurhaus Wiesbaden GmbH

In keeping with tradition, the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra (hr-Sinfonieorchester Frankfurt), under the baton of its chief conductor, opens the Rheingau Music Festival each year. The impressive acoustics of the Eberbach Abbey Basilica always create a unique musical atmosphere. The centerpiece of the 2025 opening concerts, conducted by Alain Altinoglu, is Charles Gounod's "St. Cecilia Mass." On June 21st at Eberbach Abbey, this work will be paired with a Ravel-Sarasate-Waxman program featuring Armenian violin virtuoso Diana Adamyan. On June 22nd at the Kurhaus Wiesbaden, two Ravel works will be performed with Italian pianist Beatrice Rana. Alongside an internationally renowned trio of vocal soloists, the MDR Radio Choir, the hr-Sinfonieorchester's well-known and highly esteemed musical partner, will once again be featured in both programs.

Rheingau Music Festival

In keeping with tradition, the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra (hr-Sinfonieorchester Frankfurt), under the baton of its chief conductor, opens the Rheingau Music Festival each year. The impressive acoustics of the Eberbach Abbey Basilica always create a unique musical atmosphere. The centerpiece of the 2025 opening concerts, conducted by Alain Altinoglu, is Charles Gounod's "St. Cecilia Mass." On June 21st at Eberbach Abbey, this will be paired with a Ravel-Sarasate-Waxman program featuring the Armenian violin virtuoso Diana Adamyan. On June 22nd at the Kurhaus Wiesbaden, two works by Ravel will be performed with the Italian pianist Beatrice Rana. Alongside an internationally renowned trio of vocal soloists, the MDR Radio Choir, the hr-Sinfonieorchester's well-known and highly esteemed musical partner, will once again be featured in both programs.

Eberbach Abbey

Eleven weeks of music lie ahead when the 38th Rheingau Music Festival opens at the end of June in the basilica of Eberbach Monastery. Eleven weeks full of musical diversity and enjoyable conviviality. We think it's a good reason to celebrate! In 2025, the opening concert of the Rheingau Music Festival will feature a wide range of diverse sounds: works by Maurice Ravel, whose 150th birthday the music world and we too are celebrating this year, by Pablo de Sarasate, Franz Waxman, and Charles Gounod—namely, his solemn "Cecilia Mass"—will immerse the monastery in musical color this evening. In keeping with tradition, the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra, under its chief conductor Alain Altinoglu, will take to the stage, bringing the unique architectural monument to life in rich musical splendor at the opening of this year's Rheingau Music Festival.

Opening concert at Eberbach Monastery

Pre-College Faculty Recital: Scott Pratt, piano

San Francisco Conservatory of Music

Join us for an unforgettable evening as Stanford Live presents the farewell tour of Natalie Dessay and Philippe Cassard on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at 7:30 PM at the Bing Concert Hall. This exclusive performance marks a significant moment in the careers of two of classical music's most revered artists.

French soprano Natalie Dessay, celebrated for her virtuosic abilities and dramatic flair, has captivated audiences worldwide with her performances on the most prestigious opera stages, including the Paris Opera, Vienna State Opera, Metropolitan Opera, La Scala, and more. For this special tour, she is joined by the highly acclaimed French pianist Philippe Cassard, known for his exquisite interpretations of Debussy's works.

The evening's program promises an enchanting mix of opera and song, featuring pieces by Carlisle Floyd, Gian-Carlo Menotti, André Previn, Aaron Copland, Leonard Bernstein, Samuel Barber, and more. Highlights include selections from Floyd's "Susannah," Menotti's "Le Médium," Previn's "A Streetcar Named Desire," and Copland's "Four Blues," among others.

Tickets start at $32, offering a range of seating options to accommodate all attendees. The lobby opens at 6:30 PM, allowing guests to enjoy beverages, light bites, and snacks before the performance begins.

Don't miss this opportunity to witness the artistry of Natalie Dessay and Philippe Cassard as they bid farewell to the stage in this memorable performance at Stanford's Bing Concert Hall.

Natalie Dessay and Philippe Cassard

Stanford University

This captivating program, featuring soprano Avery Boettcher, traverses the emotional landscapes of love and fate through music. Beginning with Tchaikovsky’s powerful Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture, the evening continues with evocative arias by Gounod, Verdi, Puccini, and others, highlighting Avery’s vocal range and expressiveness. The performance concludes with Prokofiev’s selections from Romeo and Juliet, finishing a night replete with the most impassioned pieces of classical music.

Your Youngstown Symphony Presents Shakespeare In Love: Romeo & Juliet

Stambaugh Auditorium

Opera in the Afternoon !

Forest View Educational Center

What would happen if Rossini’s Figaro, Gounod’s Juliet, and Bizet’s Carmen could all be in the same concert hall at the same time? Well, it would be, in a word, SPECTACULAR!

The Spectacular Concert

Patricia Reser Center for the Arts

Be swept into the New Year with a delightful selection of Viennese favourites, alongside special treats such as the beautiful ‘Intermezzo’ from Mascagni’s opera Cavalleria rusticana, seen recently at Opera North.

Viennese Whirl

Huddersfield Town Hall

Themed “Sea & Symphony” this concert will take place at St Saviour’s Church, Brockenhurst, at 3pm on Saturday 9 November 2024.

Conducted by Simon Wilkins, the orchestra will be playing a selection of music inspired by the sea, as well as Charles Gounod’s impressive Symphony No.1:

Sea & Symphony

St Saviour's Church : Brockenhurst

Performed in an ideal setting in a church completed in 1890, Fauré’s beloved choral work is preceded by music by his friends and contemporaries, sung by a group founded in 1987 by Hervé Niquet which specialises – though not exclusively – in French music of the Baroque period. The programme is taken from the group's CD published at the end of August 2024 by Alpha Classics to celebrate the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Fauré’s death.

Le Concert Spirituel at St James's, Spanish Place

Wigmore Hall

### Event Description: Romeo and Juliet - Minnesota Opera

**Event:** Romeo and Juliet  
**Dates:** November 2-10, 2024  
**Location:** Ordway Music Theater, 345 Washington St, St Paul, MN 55102

**Overview:**
Experience the timeless tale of love and tragedy with the Minnesota Opera's production of "Romeo and Juliet." Set in fair Verona, this opera brings to life the enduring story of two star-crossed lovers from the feuding Montague and Capulet families. Charles Gounod’s evocative score, paired with the lyrics by Jules Barbier and Michel Carré, captures the essence of Shakespeare’s classic narrative.

**Performance Details:**
- **Music by:** Charles Gounod
- **Lyrics by:** Jules Barbier & Michel Carré
- **Original Production by:** Matthew Ozawa
- **Language:** Sung in French with English captions projected above the stage.

**Showtimes:**
- **Saturday, November 2:** 7:30 PM
- **Thursday, November 7:** 7:30 PM
- **Saturday, November 9:** 7:30 PM
- **Sunday, November 10:** 2:00 PM

**Cast & Creative Team:**
- **Conductor:** Christopher Franklin
- **Director:** Margaret Jumonville
- **Romeo:** Evan LeRoy Johnson
- **Juliet:** Jasmine Habersham

**Additional Information:**
- **Health and Safety Protocols:** Please check the Minnesota Opera's website for the latest health and safety guidelines.
- **Accessibility Services:** Available to ensure a comfortable experience for all attendees.

**Tickets:**
Tickets are available for purchase on the Minnesota Opera's website. Don't miss the chance to witness this beautiful and tragic love story brought to life on stage.

**Connect with Us:**
Stay updated and connected through our social media channels and newsletter. Support the opera by donating to help us continue bringing exceptional performances to the community.

For more information and to buy tickets, visit the Minnesota Opera's official website.

Romeo and Juliet

Ordway Center for the Performing Arts

Halloween Spooktacular —“Side-By-Side” with the Danville High School Orchestra

Danville High School

Join us for an enchanting evening of music at the "In Dreams Awake" concert, presented by the Amarillo Symphony. This special event will take place on October 19, 2024, at the AmTech Career Academy, located at 3601 Plains Blvd, Amarillo, TX 79102, United States.

The concert will feature the world-class soprano, Greer Lyle, under the baton of conductor Larry Lang, accompanied by the Amarillo Chamber Orchestra. The repertoire for the evening includes a selection of wind and string music that spans both time and emotion. Highlights include Steven Kukla's "Folk Songs," Charles Gounod's "Petite Symphonie," John Bliss's "River Race," Wayne Oquin's mesmerizing "In Dreams Awake," and selected movements from Igor Stravinsky's "Pulcinella Suite."

"In Dreams Awake," composed by American composer and Juilliard faculty, Wayne Oquin, promises to be a stunning centerpiece, showcasing Greer Lyle's exceptional vocal talent. This concert is a unique opportunity to experience a broad offering of music, from the classical to the contemporary, in an intimate setting.

Tickets for this event will be available closer to the event date. For more information, visit the AmTech Career Academy website at https://amtech.amaisd.org/ or call the Amarillo Symphony at 806-376-8782 for season ticket details and more.

Don't miss this unforgettable evening of music and artistry. Mark your calendars for October 19, 2024, and stay updated on the latest news and events from the Amarillo Symphony.

In Dreams Awake

AmTech Career Academy

This event sees the launch of Goethe: His Faustian Life (Bloomsbury Continuum), the new book by a leading literary figure of our time whose wide range has already taken in studies of Milton, Tolstoy, Dickens, CS Lewis and Iris Murdoch. A.N. Wilson now turns his attention to one of the giants of German literature and to what is surely Goethe’s greatest and most influential creation – known to music lovers from the innumerable song settings, operas, choral works and programmatic pieces it has inspired.

Goethe: His Faustian Life

### Faust at the Berkshire Opera Festival

**Event:** Faust - Mainstage Production  
**Composer:** Charles Gounod  
**Location:** Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, 14 Castle Street, Great Barrington, MA  
**Dates and Times:**  
- Saturday, August 24, 1:00 PM (Pre-performance talk at 12:00 PM)  
- Tuesday, August 27, 7:30 PM  
- Friday, August 30, 7:30 PM  
**Duration:** 2 hours, 45 minutes (including one intermission)  
**Language:** Sung in French with projected English translations  

**Synopsis:**  
Experience the timeless tale of tragedy and redemption in Charles Gounod's operatic masterpiece, "Faust." The story follows the aged Dr. Faust, who sells his soul to the devil, Méphistophélès, in exchange for youth and the chance to win the love of the beautiful Marguerite. This decision leads to devastating consequences, exploring themes of desire, regret, and salvation.

**Cast:**
- **Faust:** Duke Kim, praised for his "liquid gold" tenor voice.
- **Marguerite:** Raquel González, a winner of the Sphinx Organization's Medal of Excellence Award.
- **Méphistophélès:** Justin Hopkins, noted for his commanding presence and beautifully focused bass-baritone.
- **Valentin:** Jarrett Porter, recognized for his supple and vibrant baritone.
- **Siébel:** Sun-Ly Pierce, known for her lush and flexible mezzo-soprano.
- **Marthe Schwerlein:** Abbegael Greene, a master's degree holder in voice performance from Bard College Conservatory.
- **Wagner:** Kyle Dunn, a master's degree holder in vocal performance from The Peabody Institute in Baltimore.

**Creative Team:**
- **Conductor:** Brian Garman
- **Stage Director:** Jonathon Loy
- **Scenic Designer:** Stephen Dobay
- **Costume Designer:** Brooke Stanton
- **Lighting Designer:** Alex Jainchill
- **Hair and Make-up Designer:** Beckie Kravetz
- **Choreographer:** Andrea Beasom
- **Assistant Conductor and Chorus Master:** Geoffrey Larson
- **Principal Coach and Rehearsal Pianist:** Travis Bloom
- **Supertitles Author:** Cori Ellison
- **Production Stage Manager:** Cindy Knight

**Ticketing Information:**
- Tickets start at $20.
- Early-bird pricing available until April 3.
- Special discounts for attendees under 30 (contact the Mahaiwe box office for details).
- Note: All ticket sales and customer services are managed exclusively by the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center box office. Beware of fraudulent third-party websites.

**Additional Information:**
- A free pre-performance talk with dramaturg Cori Ellison will be held on Saturday, August 24, at 12:00 PM (doors open at 11:45 AM for all ticket holders).

Join us for an unforgettable performance of "Faust," a cornerstone of French romantic opera, filled with surging, memorable music that has captivated audiences since its premiere.

Faust

Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center

The festival will close with the most famous playwright whose work has inspired composers for 460 years since his birth next year. To mark William Shakespeare’s anniversary, we will perform his most famous play Romeo and Juliet in four musical settings by composers from two centuries, accompanied by Les Ballets Bubeníček ensemble in a choreography by Jiří Bubeníček.

Shakespeare 460: Romeo & Juliet

Brewery Garden, Český Krumlov

### Event Description: On Your Doorstep: Summer Concert at Bangor Abbey - Ulster Orchestra

#### Event Details:
- **Date:** 14 June 2024
- **Time:** 19:00
- **Venue:** Bangor Abbey, Bangor

#### Event Overview:
Join the musicians of the Ulster Orchestra for a delightful evening of music at Bangor Abbey. This summer concert promises an enchanting musical journey, featuring a carefully curated program designed to showcase some gems for a small ensemble. Whether you are new to orchestral music or a regular concertgoer, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

#### Program Highlights:
- **Handel:** Sinfonia from Solomon, Arrival of the Queen of Sheba
- **Hummel:** Octet
- **Dvořák:** Slavonic Dance Op. 71, No. 1
- **Beethoven:** Rondino in E flat
- **Gounod:** Petite Symphonie

#### Additional Information:
- **Box Office:** 028 9033 4455 (Open 12 noon - 6pm, weekdays)
- **Book Tickets:** [Link to ticket booking]

Don't miss this opportunity to experience a magical evening of orchestral music in the historic setting of Bangor Abbey. The Ulster Orchestra's musicians are excited to perform and share their passion for music with the community.

On Your Doorstep: Summer Concert at Bangor Abbey

Bangor Abbey

Join us for an enchanting evening of vocal performance as Audrey Neace, a talented mezzo-soprano and Bachelor of Music student at the Northwestern Bienen School of Music, takes the stage. Under the guidance of Patrice Michaels, Audrey will perform a captivating recital featuring a diverse repertoire that spans the breadth of classical music. The program includes Charles Gounod's "Faites-lui mes aveux" from Faust, selections from Gustav Mahler's Lieder und Gesänge, Gabriel Fauré's Cinq mélodies de Venise, Op. 58, and more, showcasing the depth and versatility of Audrey's vocal talent.

Accompanied by Julia Frodyma, soprano, and Jason Carlson on piano, the evening promises to be a showcase of exceptional musicality and a celebration of the human voice. The recital will also feature works by Vincenzo Bellini, Pauline Viardot, Libby Larsen, Jocelyn Hagen, William Bolcom, and Victor Herbert, offering a rich tapestry of musical expressions.

This special event is scheduled for Sunday, June 2, 2024, at 8:30pm CDT, in the Mary B. Galvin Recital Hall. Located in the Ryan Center for the Musical Arts, the Galvin Recital Hall is renowned for its stunning acoustics and breathtaking views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline, providing the perfect backdrop for an evening of exquisite music.

Admission to this event is free, and tickets are not required. For those unable to attend in person, a live stream will be available, ensuring that no one misses out on this remarkable performance. Don't miss this opportunity to experience the artistry of Audrey Neace and her fellow musicians in one of the most beautiful concert venues in the country.

Audrey Neace, mezzo-soprano

Mary B. Galvin Recital Hall

In demand across the world, Ermonela Jaho is best known for her portrayals of Verdi and Puccini’s heroines. She returns to her bel canto roots in a recital of rare songs by Gaetano Donizetti, alongside a selection by his contemporaries, with Opera Rara’s Artistic Director and pianist Carlo Rizzi. They will explore repertoire that has been recently restored and rarely, if ever, performed. The programme is complete with two works for violin and piano by Donizetti performed by brothers Marco and Carlo Rizzi.

Ermonela Jaho & Carlo Rizzi: Donizetti and Friends

Join us for an enchanting evening of classical music as Thomas Filipiuk takes the stage at the Mary B. Galvin Recital Hall. This Bachelor of Music student, under the tutelage of James Giles, will present a captivating piano recital on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at 8:30pm CDT. The program promises a journey through the works of renowned composers, featuring Franz Schubert's Piano Sonata in C Minor, D. 958, J. S. Bach's Prelude and Fugue in B-flat Minor, BWV 867 from The Well-Tempered Clavier, Karol Szymanowski's Masques, Op. 34, and a transcription by Franz Liszt of Charles Gounod's Waltz from Faust, S. 407.

This event is free and open to the public, with no tickets required. It will also be available via live stream for those who wish to enjoy the performance remotely. The Galvin Recital Hall, located within the Ryan Center for the Musical Arts at 70 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston, IL 60208, offers a stunning backdrop with its 40-foot glass wall overlooking Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline. The hall's acoustics are enhanced by undulating walls covered with African moabi wood, ensuring an unforgettable auditory experience.

Don't miss this opportunity to support emerging talent and experience the beauty of classical music in one of the most acoustically and aesthetically pleasing venues in the area.

Thomas Filipiuk, piano

Join us for an enchanting afternoon of vocal performance as Lila Brown, a talented mezzo-soprano and Bachelor of Music student at the Northwestern Bienen School of Music, presents her recital. Under the guidance of Nancy Gustafson, with Olga Sklyanskaya on piano, Lila will take the stage on Saturday, May 11, 2024, at 4:00pm CDT in the Chapel of the Unnamed Faithful, located at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary, 2121 Sheridan Road, Evanston.

This captivating recital will feature a diverse selection of pieces that showcase the depth and versatility of the mezzo-soprano voice. The program includes beloved arias such as "Mon coeur s’ouvre à ta voix" from Samson et Dalila by Camille Saint-Saëns, "L’amour est un oiseau rebelle" from Carmen by Georges Bizet, and "Che farò senza Euridice" from Orfeo ed Euridice by Christoph Willibald von Gluck. Lila will also perform works by Paolo Tosti, Richard Strauss, Claude Debussy, Charles Gounod, Antonín Dvořák, Franz Liszt, and more, including contemporary pieces like "Stay Awake" from Mary Poppins by Robert B. and Richard M. Sherman, and "Witch’s Lament" from Into the Woods by Stephen Sondheim.

This event is free and open to the public, with no tickets required. Don't miss this opportunity to experience the powerful and emotive performance of Lila Brown, a rising star in the world of opera and classical music.

Lila Brown, mezzo-soprano

Northwestern University

Study concert with AM voice students under Jan Lund

Study concert with AM voice students

Join us for an extraordinary evening of vocal artistry and education at the Joyce DiDonato Vocal Master Class, a highlight of the Tichio-Finnie Vocal Master Class Series. This event is scheduled for Monday, January 8, 2024, at 7:00pm CST, taking place in the prestigious Galvin Recital Hall.

Joyce DiDonato, a multi-Grammy Award winner and 2018 Olivier Award recipient for Outstanding Achievement in Opera, will share her unparalleled expertise and insights. Known for her captivating performances in Handel and Mozart operas, as well as her mastery of bel canto roles by Rossini and Donizetti, DiDonato's international acclaim is undisputed. During the 2023-24 season, she continues to grace the world's leading opera stages, including a return to the Metropolitan Opera.

The master class will feature performances by talented vocalists interpreting pieces from the operatic repertoire, including works by Richard Strauss, Charles Gounod, Giuseppe Verdi, Camille Saint-Saëns, and George Frideric Handel. Each performance will be followed by DiDonato's expert guidance and coaching, offering a rare glimpse into the process of refining vocal technique and interpretative skills.

Tickets are priced at $10 for the general public and $5 for students with valid ID, though availability is limited. The Galvin Recital Hall, located within the Ryan Center for the Musical Arts at 70 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston, IL, provides an intimate setting with stunning views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline, ensuring an unforgettable experience.

Don't miss this opportunity to witness the art of opera from one of its most celebrated practitioners in one of the most beautiful venues in the country.

Joyce DiDonato Vocal Master Class

**Close Encounters With Music: Nocturne Night and Dreams**

**Date:** Sunday, December 3, 2023  
**Time:** 4:00 pm  
**Location:** Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, 14 Castle Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230  
**Tickets:** $28 Upper Balcony | $52 Orchestra and Mezzanine  

Dive into the enigmatic world of night and dreams with the exquisite "Close Encounters With Music: Nocturne Night and Dreams" event at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center. This unique concert, scheduled for a captivating evening on December 3, 2023, promises to explore the nuanced emotions and mysterious allure that the night brings. From the peaceful repose of lullabies to the passionate serenades of love, and even the thrilling fear of darkness, this program covers the entire spectrum of nocturnal experiences.

Featuring a diverse range of compositions by legendary composers such as Mozart, Schubert, Borodin, and Bernstein, attendees will be treated to an auditory feast that captures the essence of the night. Highlights include Beethoven's enchanting Moonlight Sonata, Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik in its original scoring, and a selection of Lieder by Schumann, Debussy, and Fauré. The universality of the night's theme is further demonstrated through arias from Gounod’s Romeo and Juliet and selections from beloved musicals like West Side Story and Man of La Mancha.

The event boasts an impressive lineup of performers, including Fabio Bidini on piano, John Viscardi as baritone, violinists Kobi Malkin and Grace Park, Luke Fleming on viola, Lizzie Burns on double bass, and Yehuda Hanani on cello. This ensemble of talented musicians is set to bring the enchanting and varied aspects of the night to life through their exceptional performances.

Don't miss this opportunity to experience the magic of the night through music at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center. Whether you're drawn to the tranquility of the evening, the romance of the night, or the mysteries that darkness holds, "Nocturne Night and Dreams" promises an unforgettable journey through the heart of the night.

Close Encounters With Music: Nocturne Night and Dreams

Experience the timeless tragedy of "Romeo and Juliet" at the Kennedy Center's Opera House, presented by the Washington National Opera from November 4th to 18th, 2023. This new production brings to life Gounod’s passionate opera, a grand retelling of Shakespeare's most tragic love story. Directed by Simon Godwin in his highly anticipated opera directorial debut, the performance promises an unforgettable journey through feuding families, forbidden love, and doomed fate, all underscored by Gounod's soaring music and exquisite duets.

The opera, sung in French with projected English titles, features a phenomenal cast including Rosa Feola as Juliet and Adam Smith as Romeo, with music by Charles Gounod and libretto by Jules Barber and Michael Carré. This production is a part of a festival celebrating the works of William Shakespeare across the Washington, D.C. region, showcasing the enduring power of love that transcends life itself.

Tickets are available in subscriptions, offering a chance to secure the best seats and enjoy exclusive savings. The Kennedy Center also provides special terms and discounts for groups of 20 or more. Don't miss this grand and sweeping opera that captures the heart of Shakespeare's tragic love story in a production co-produced by Glimmerglass Festival and Washington National Opera.

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Study concert with voice students under Eva Hess Thaysen

Study concert with voice students

The Studio Hall

Building The Orchestra

Christ Lutheran Church in Allentown

Balkis, the Queen of Sheba and fiancée of King Soliman, visits her spouse-to-be in Jerusalem. Here she is introduced to the builder Adoniram, who is to construct a miraculous building for Soliman. She is impressed by his craftsmanship and the two fall in love. When she leaves the unloved ruler for his sake, Adoniram becomes the victim of a murderous intrigue and Balkis can only swear eternal fidelity to him beyond death.

The Queen of Sheba

Theater Duisburg

German Oper am Rhein

This concert series is a must for connoisseurs and enthusiasts: chamber music at its finest – subtle, intimate, and full of discoveries. Alongside the great masters of Viennese Classicism, the Handel Festival Orchestra, with its historically informed sound, will also be featured.

6. Classical Music in the Afternoon

Konzerthalle Ulrichskirche

In Francis Poulenc's "Peasant Concerto" from 1928, the harpsichord, which had disappeared since Mozart's time, experiences a magnificent resurrection. With its melodic charm and fragrant grace, the piece seems to dream itself back to the French Rococo era – albeit with gentle irony. Charles Gounod's "Funeral March for a Marionette" – a piano sonata that the composer later transcribed for orchestra – must have appealed to Alfred Hitchcock greatly: It became the theme song for the series "Hitchcock Presents." As thrilling as a crime thriller, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's tone poem about "Scheherazade," who used fairy tales to keep her husband, King Shahryar, from killing her, is as captivating as a Arabian Nights.

1000 & One

Berliner Philharmonie

These violent delights have violent ends 

From the moment they meet at a masquerade ball, Romeo and Juliet are swept into a love as fierce as it is forbidden. Defying a generations-old feud, the young lovers swear to be together — no matter the costs. They marry in secret, clinging to the hope that love might conquer all. For one fleeting, breathless week, they steal moments in the shadows, even as tragedy gathers at the gates. But love cannot escape fate, however unbearable it might be. Gounod’s lush, romantic score brings new emotion to this tragic tale of young love.

Webster University

Among the most beloved titles in the French repertoire for their melodic invention and the natural flow of dramatic progression, Faust by Charles Gounod has been absent from the stage of the Teatro alla Scala since 2010. The new production, a co-production with the Palau de les Arts in Valencia, the Staatsoper in Berlin and the Teatro Real in Madrid, marks the return of conductor Daniele Rustioni, who is about to conclude his tenure as Principal Conductor at the Opéra de Lyon and has not conducted at La Scala since Il Trovatore in 2014. It also marks the debut of director Johannes Erath, a musician by training, whose production of Ermione for the 2024 Rossini Festival won the Italian music critics’ prestigious Abbiati Award for Best Production. On stage, some of the most beloved artists by the La Scala audience: Marina Rebeka, who will bring Norma by Bellini back to Milan in 2025, and Alex Esposito, an artist with an ever-expanding repertoire.

Romeo and Juliet are outsiders in a world of rigid social conventions. In Charles Gounod's French opera, they meet at a ball: Juliet introduces herself with a lively waltz aria, while Romeo has slipped in with friends. From this fleeting moment blossoms love at first sight – and the beginning of a story as passionate as it is fateful. American director Ted Huffman focuses on the essentials, setting the action on a simple dance floor. In doing so, he once again proves himself a "delicate observer of gestures, moods, and glances" (NZZ). The young Armenian soprano Juliana Grigoryan and the star tenor Juan Diego Flórez embody the lovers.

Charles Gounod

Events

Upcoming events

May 15 - Jul 9, 2026

The Queen of Sheba · Deutsche Oper am Rhein

May 31, 2026

6. Classical Music in the Afternoon · Staatskapelle Halle

Jun 7, 2026

1000 & One · Berliner Symphoniker

13 - 27 Jun, 2026

Romeo and Juliet · Opera Theatre of Saint Louis

Oct 20 - Nov 8, 2026

Faust · Teatro alla Scala

Past events

Mar 28, 2026

French Meditations · Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra

Mar 27, 2026

The Hallé: Vive La France! · Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall

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