In its U.S. premiere at Spoleto USA, White Box blends dance, music, puppetry, film, and projection to explore the true story of a lost expedition to fly over the North Pole in a gas balloon. Composed by Catherine Graindorge and directed by Sabine Theunissen, who also wrote the libretto. (May 29-31) https://spoletousa.org/events/white-box/
In an event called "Tell Your Story" on May 29 at Spoleto USA, four members of the festival orchestra will pair with Charleston-based entrepreneurs, artists, and activists to create “aural memoirs.” These sonic collages will act as works of creative placemaking distinct to the South Carolina Lowcountry today. https://spoletousa.org/events/tell-your-story/
Pianist Evgeny Kissin is paying tribute to Shostakovich at Carnegie Hall in May. The final program on this topic, on May 31, will be a star-studded soirée featuring the likes of violinist Gidon Kremer, cellist Giedrė Dirvanauskaitė, and singers Susanna Phillips, Sasha Cooke, Brandon Jovanovich, and Alexander Roslavets. https://www.carnegiehall.org/Calendar/2025/05/31/Evgeny-Kissin-and-Friends-A-Tribute-to-Shostakovich-0800PM
On June 6, the Ojai Festival presents the world premiere of Alex Peh’s arrangement for trio of Terry Riley’s Pulsing Lifters. Peh, along with fellow keyboardist/composers Cory Smythe and Craig Taborn, will also play works by themselves, John Coltrane, and Anna Thorvaldsdottir. https://www.ojaifestival.org/2025-festival-schedule/
The Spoleto USA Chorus + Orchestra will send a longtime leader out in style. On June 7, Joe Miller will conduct Bach’s B minor Mass, saying farewell after 19 years as director of choral activities. https://spoletousa.org/events/spoleto-festival-usa-chorus-orchestra-bachs-mass-in-b-minor/
Joining with an ensemble that includes 2025’s Ojai Festival artistic director, Claire Chase, the JACK Quartet will give the world premiere of Susie Ibarra’s new work for sheng and percussion. Ibarra’s Sky Islands will also receive its West-coast premiere on this June 8 program, which opens with the JACK’s Modern/Medieval, a “renewing” of works from […]
At the Grant Park Festival’s 2025 season opener on June 11, conductor and pianist Andrew Litton will lead the festival orchestra in Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. The program also features the vibrant Three Latin American Dances by Gabriela Lena Frank, and Manuel de Falla’s suite from the Three-Cornered Hat. https://www.grantparkmusicfestival.com/music/2025-season/2025-rhapsody-in-blue
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of her performing career, pianist Angela Hewitt will perform Bach’s Goldberg Variations on June 11 at the Ravinia Festival. https://www.ravinia.org/events/detail/bach-goldberg-variations
The Chamber Orchestra of Europe makes its Bravo! Vail debut on June 19. Led by German conductor Matthias Pintscher, the evening soars with Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 1, featuring the incomparable pianist Yefim Bronfman. Works by Hadyn and Schubert complete the program. https://www.bravovail.org/performances/orchestral-series/chamber-orchestra-of-europe/bronfman-plays-brahms-piano-concerto-no-1
Notes & Frames: A Film and Music Festival is a three-week initiative by the National Symphony. On June 20-21, the festival culminates in a world premiere by Academy Award®–winning director, composer, and pianist Kris Bowers, who will curate and perform a program of contemporary film music to be conducted by Anthony Parnther. https://www.kennedy-center.org/nso/home/2024-2025/kris-bowers/
On June 26, Bravo! Vail presents Sinfónica de Minería for a second year in a special concert, and a Festival first, at Nottingham Park in Avon, Colo. This free event (reservations recommended) will showcase Hispanic and Latin works with the special flare and joy the ensemble is known for. https://www.bravovail.org/performances/community-concerts/communityconcerts-2/sinfonica-de-mineria
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Oregon Bach Festival’s Berwick Academy for Historically Informed Performance, the festival will recreate a benefit concert held by Beethoven in 1800. “Beethoven’s First ‘Akademie’” includes works by the beneficiary himself, along with Mozart, Bach, and Haydn. Jos van Veldhoven leads with Berwick Academy Orchestra. June 27. https://calendar.uoregon.edu/event/beethovens-first-akademie
On June 29 at Caramoor, the Boston Early Music Festival revives their acclaimed pairing of Telemann works in this fully staged production of the opera Pimpione and the cantata Ino. Inspired by the Italian comic intermezzi, Pimpinone approaches social class and seduction with stylish slapstick and evocative humanity. The cantata Ino features a thrilling story drawn from Ovid’s Metamorphoses. Paul O’Dette […]
