2012–2013 Performing Arts Preview

Behind-the-scenes interviews and full schedules introduce the robust new arts season

By Joe Nistler

Aug 16, 2012

(page 4 of 4)

The Wisconsin Union Theater welcomes Imani Winds in September.

Music

Edgewood College Music

Edgewood faculty and students flaunt their fine-tuned musical capacity in an aggressive season showcasing choral singers, a jazz ensemble and orchestral works, to name a few high notes.

Faculty members, too, have the opportunity to present their own works in a Faculty Recital Series featuring Douglas Jurs on piano, percussionist and composer Todd Hammes and mezzo-soprano Kathleen Otterson.

In a season rich in all types of music, faculty and students wil present collaborative and unique works, showing just how much mutual learning goes on in the music department at Edgewood.

John Cage 100th Birthday Celebration September 8

Edgewood Chamber Orchestra September 30

Chamber Singers October 14

Concert Band October 21

Faculty Recital Series: Douglas Jurs, piano November 2

Jazz Ensemble November 4

Edgewood Chamber Orchestra November 11

Faculty Recital Series: Todd Hammes, percussionist and composer November 17

Choral Concert November 18

Christmas Concerts December 7 - 8

Edgewood Chamber Orchestra February 24

Concert Band March 22

Chamber Singers Tour Concert March 24

Jazz Ensemble April 7

Student Honors and Faculty Collaboration Concert April 14

Faculty Recital Series: Kathleen Otterson, mezzo-soprano April 21

Edgewood Chamber Orchestra April 28

Instrumental Concert May 3

Choral Concert May 5

music.edgewood.edu

Madison Bach Musicians

Speaking to modern audiences through well-trodden paths is a common theme in many organizations' seasons, but classical modernity is nothing new for Madison Bach Musicians. Dedicated to presenting Bach’s works along with those of other period composers, MBM offers a unique opportunity to hear the classics in their traditional forms.

And by traditional forms, MBM is serious. Artistic director Trevor Stephenson has constructed multiple period instruments with partners, which will be showcased along with fantastic singers this season. Amy Haworth, a guest soprano from the United Kingdom, sings with an energy not to miss in the first concert of the season, and the remaining shows highlight Bach works and reworks alongside symphonies by Mozart and Haydn.

Guest Artist Soprano Amy Haworht with Trevor Stephenson, harpsichord and Anna Steinhoff, viola da gamba October 6

Baroque Holiday Concerts December 14–15

Symphonies of Mozart & Haydn April 20–21

madisonbachmusicians.org

Madison Opera

Two company premieres, one classic opera, and the twelfth annual Opera in the Park comprise the new season at Madison Opera, tempting opera connoisseurs and newcomers alike to attend each performance. But that isn’t why general director Kathryn Smith calls this the “Season of Temptation.”

“Every opera involves characters making choices, and when they succumb to temptation, it alters the course of the opera and their own fates,” Smith says.

The premieres of Verdi’s A Masked Ball and Handel’s Acis and Galatea showcase diverse features of the opera that have Smith excited for different reasons.

A Masked Ball, one of Smith’s favorite Italian works, is an intensely dramatic production involving murder, “quasi-adultery,” a fortune-teller and multiple vows of vengeance. All of this, in Smith’s opinion, is set to some of Verdi’s most exciting music and performed by an extremely talented cast.

Acis and Galatea, on the other hand, is a “charming” new production for Madison Opera dealing with themes of love and jealousy among mortals and demigods. Adding to the charm is the venue itself, Overture Center's Playhouse, which seats just under 350 in a uniquely intimate setting that fosters an up close and personal dynamic between the audience and cast.

As with the spring show, Mozart’s Don Giovanni, Acis and Galatea features a post-opera Q&A session.

In its twelfth summer, Opera in the Park shifts the setting from intimate to grandiose. If there is one show not to miss, this is it, and certainly not just for the free admission. This attraction is by far Madison Opera’s most highly attended event every year.

“It is uniquely wonderful. There is nothing like the sight of fourteen thousand members of our community enjoying opera under the summer stars,” Smith says.

A Masked Ball October 28

Acis and Galatea January 18–20

Don Giovanni April 26–28

Opera in the Park July 13

madisonopera.org

Madison Symphony Orchestra

Under the conduction of music director John Demain, the Madison Symphony Orchestra promises a vivid season of multinational works. From works by Russian composers like Profokiev and Stravinsky (in Russia Resounds), to Hungarians, Germans and more in between, the MSO is testing its bases and performing professional symphonies classical and experimental.

The Three ‘Bs’ features opulent overtures with breathtaking violin, while Twice as Nice presents “intensely rhythmic gypsy tunes” from Hungary alongside “Poulenc,” a humorous concerto by native Madison twins Christina and Michelle Naughton.

Russia Resounds! September 21–23

The Three 'Bs' October 12–14

Twice as Nice Novermber 2–4

A Madison Symphony Christmas November 30–December 2

Discovery! January 18–20

Turning Points February 8–10

Champagne & Vodka March 8–10

A Feast for the Ears April 5–7

madisonsymphony.org

UW School of Music

Students and faculty at the UW School of Music are hard at work, seemingly at all hours of every day. This season features dozens of musicians performing almost daily, with practically no instrument left untouched and collaborations galore.

The renowned Pro Arte Quartet will play four dates, one with guest artist Nobuko Imai on viola, which would make them a quintet for a stint. There is more than music, too, with Jeffrey Siegel’s Keyboard Conversations, during which audiences can learn as they listen.

The calendar may seem daunting, but it certainly won’t break the bank as the majority of performances are free and open to the public.

36th Karp Family Opening Concert September 3

Mimmi Fulmer, soprano September 8

Pro Arte Quartet September 15, October 27, February 16

SOMAA concert September 16

Paul Rowe, baritone September 16

Black Music Ensemble September 20, November 8, February 14, April 18

Areon Flutes September 22

Mark Hetzler, trombone September 22

Imani Winds September 28

Edith hines, violin and John Chappell Stowe, harpsichord September 29

Symphony Orchestra September 30, February 15

Wolfgang David, violin and David gompper, piano October 2

Wind Ensemble October 5, February 23, April 21

Chamber Orchestra October 6, December 8, February 17, March 20

An Hawaiian Sound Salon October 8

Choral Collage October 13

Concert Band October 14, December 2, February 24, March 19

University Bands October 14, December 2, March 10

Elias Goldstein, viola and Thomas Kasdorf, piano October 15

Keyboard Conversations with Jeffrey Siegel October 16, April 30

Gerry Pagano, bass trombone October 16

Wisconsin Brass Quintet October 19

Linda Bartley, clarinet October 20

Stephanie Jutt, flute October 25

Jamie-Rose Guarrine, soprano and Scott Gendel, piano October 25

Wind Ensemble Collage October 26

Contemporary Chamber Ensemble October 28

Wind Ensemble Chamber Winds November 1

Nathan Wysock, guitar November 2

Marc Vallon, bassoon November 3

John Chappell Stowe, harpsichord November 4

Project Trio November 5

Medea November 9, 11, 13

Parry Karp, violincello November 9

Symphony Orchestra with Joshua Roman, cello November 10

Winds of Wisconsin November 11, February 17

Women’s Chorus and University Chorus November 11

David Hyunsu Kim, fortepiano November 12

Tyrone Greive, violin November 14

Guitar Ensemble November 14, April 17

Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas November 15

Concert Choir November 16

Michelle Malafronte, flute and Vincent Fuh, piano November 16

Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble November 17

Chorale November 17, April 26

Wingra Woodwind Quintet November 17, March 2

Trombone Choir November 20

UW Jazz Orchestra November 28

Ninety Miles Project November 29

Wind Ensemble with Sun Prairie High School November 30

All University String Orchestra December 1

Winter Choral Concerts December 2

Masters Singers December 4, April 29

Opera Workshop December 5

Western Percussion Ensemble December 5, February 20

Choral Union with Symphony Orchestra December 7, 9

World Percussion Ensemble December 8

Dylan Chmura-Moore, trombone January 28

Eli Kalman, piano and Bruce Atwell, horn February 4

Daniel Grabois, horn February 6

Sole Nero February 22

Parry Karp, cello March 1

Woodwind-Piano Duo Competition Winners March 3

Gretzler March 6

Christopher Taylor, piano March 14, 17, 19

L’amico Fritz March 15

Wisconsin Brass Quintet March 15

Symphony Strings March 21

Emily Birsan, Jamie Van Eyck, John Arnold & Kristin Ihde April 5

Pro Arte Quartet with Nobuko Imai, viola April 10

Uri Vardi, cello April 12

Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble April 13

Concert Choir April 13

Mark Fink, oboe, and Friends April 14

Trio Antigo April 14

Brass Ensemble April 16

Varsity Band April 18—20

Madrigal Singers April 19—20

Javanese Gamelan Ensemble April 20

Beethoven Piano Competition Winners April 21

Contemporary Chamber Ensemble April 21

Horn Choir April 23

All University String Orchestra April 27

Choral Union with Chamber Orchestra April 27—28

University Bands April 28

Early Music Ensemble April 30

music.wisc.edu

Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra

There is no single word to encapsulate the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra's upcoming season, but three might do the trick: astounding musical masterpieces. Returning with its Masterworks series, music director Andrew Sewell leads five showcases of Madison’s finest symphonies. One of these includes piano soloists The Five Browns harmonizing to perfection with fifty fingers across 440 keys.

In addition to the traditional Masterworks series, the WCO presents a Wisconsin Pops showcase of Disney tunes and Live and Let Die: A Symphonic Tribute to the Music of Paul McCartney.

And check back in for the WCO's annual summer series Concerts on the Square, a Madison tradition on the Capitol Square.

Masterworks I - 50 Fingers October 5

Disney in Concert: Magical Music from the Movies October 6

Middleton Holiday Pops November 24–25

Messiah December 7

Masterworks II - Towering Giants January 11

Masterworks III - Pastoral Gems February 22

Live & Let Die: A Symphonic Tribute to the Music of Paul McCartney March 2

Masterworks IV - Viennese Virtuosi March 22

Masterworks V - Chansons d'Amour April 12

wcoconcerts.org

Wisconsin Union Theater

Despite ongoing renovations at the Wisconsin Union Theater at the Memorial Union, this season charges on with nearly twenty musical performances on the university’s numerous stages.

Kicking off the season in September is the annual Madison World Music Festival, which showcases artists from Sweden to Venezuela and practically everywhere in between. One event, Delhi 2 Dublin, features musical influences from India, Ireland and Canada, an eclectic testament to the international unifying language of music.

Following the global get-down, an array of musicians offer symphony orchestras, solo pianists, jazz trios, polkas and more.

But music isn’t all Wisconsin Union Theater has to offer. Visit its website to find films, plays and interactive talk-back concerts, many of them free of charge. Not bad for an organization missing its flagship theater.

Madison World Music Festival September 14–15

Imani Winds Septermber 28

The Fuller October 12

Keyboard Conversations with Jeffrey Seigel: Spellbinding Bach October 16

Grupo Fantasma November 2

UW Symphony Orchestra with Joshua Roman, cello November 10

Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas November 15

Ninety Miles Project November 29

The Knights with Wu Man, pipa February 9

Vusi Mahlasela February 15

Karan Casey & John Doyle March 2

Gerald Clayton Trio April 6