Classical concerts in Houston

There was some talk of this on the mailing list, so here’s the offerings:

Wagner’s “Ring” Without Words
An Orchestral Adventure
September 24, 25, 26, 2010
Hans Graf, conductor
John Adams: Doctor Atomic Symphony
Wagner/Maazel: The “Ring” Without Words
Take a symphonic journey into a mythical world of gods, giants and heroes in the quest for a magic ring that holds immense power.

Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony
October 28, 30, 31, 2010
Hannu Lintu, conductor
Markus Groh, piano
Sallinen: Fanfare
Liszt: Piano Concerto No. 1
Beethoven: Symphony No. 3, Eroica
Beethoven’s Eroica, threaded with epic drama and revolutionary genius in every note, has changed the rules of the classical symphony forever.

Handel’s Messiah in Candlelight
December 17, 18, 19, 2010
Houston Symphony Chorus
Charles Hausman, director
Handel: Messiah
Rejoice Greatly as this Houston tradition continues! The holidays wouldn’t be the same without Houston’s own performance of Handel’s Messiah with your Houston Symphony, the chorus and guest soloists. Every year, your symphony brings you this holiday favorite, refreshed by the interpretation of a new guest conductor, where you’ll hear your favorite arias and choruses from from “For Unto Us A Child Is Born” to the majestic “Hallelujah Chorus.” Enhanced lighting will create an ambiance invoking the candle-lit style of Handel’s 1700s.

Verdi’s Requiem
January 20, 22, 23, 2011
Thomas Dausgaard, conductor
Houston Symphony Chorus
Charles Hausmann, director
Verdi: Requiem
Written in memory of two of Giuseppe Verdi’s greatest idols, Messa da Requiem begins with a delicate melody that quickly blossoms into music of great sweep and grandeur. Hear your Houston Symphony, Chorus and world renowned soloists recreate the tempestuous “Dies irae” and the powerful “Confutatis.” Experience the ever-growing sorrow of “Lacrimosa,” and find comfort in the words and music of “Libera me.”

Gil Shaham Plus Beethoven 7
February 3, 5, 6, 2011
Hans Graf, conductor
Gil Shaham, violin
Britten: Sinfonia da Requiem
Walton: Violin Concerto
Beethoven: Symphony No. 7
Gil Shaham returns to perform Walton’s Violin Concerto, which bathes the listener in a sunny Mediterranean glow.

Ravel’s Spain
with Bolero
February 11, 12, 13, 2011
Hans Graf, conductor
Susanne Mentzer, mezzo-soprano
Ravel: L’Heure espagnole (The Spanish Hour) – A Musical Comedy
Ravel: Rapsodie espagnole
Ravel: Don Quixote à Dulcinée
Ravel: Chanson espagnole
Ravel: Bolero
Delight in Maurice Ravel’s most flavorful music. The Houston Symphony, in collaboration with Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, will perform Ravel’s comedic one-act opera, The Spanish Hour. After the electrifying Rapsodie espagnole, we’ll close the evening with one of the most popular works ever written, Ravel’s Bolero. You’ll leave Jones Hall with the feeling you’ve spent a well deserved vacation in Seville!

Beethoven’s Piano Concerto 3
February 24, 26, 27, 2011
James Gaffigan, conductor
Jonathan Biss, piano
Ives: Symphony No. 3, The Camp Meeting
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3
Dvorák: Symphony No. 7
Regarded by the Baltimore Sun as “a huge talent,” Jonathan Biss returns to Houston to perform Beethoven’s stormy third piano concerto.

Richard Strauss’ Don Quixote
March 24, 26, 27, 2011
Hans Graf, conductor
Erin Wall, soprano
Brinton Averil Smith, cello
Wayne Brooks, viola
R. Strauss: Don Juan
R. Strauss: Four Last Songs
R. Strauss: Don Quixote
Live the stories of delusional knight Don Quixote of La Mancha, from tilting at windmills to his imaginary lady love, Dulcinea.

http://www.houstonsymphony.org/concertstickets/viewconcerts/2010-2011season/classicalseason.aspx

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