Tune in to hear Cincinnati Opera broadcasts

June 24, 2020 janellegelfandLeave a comment

Cincinnati Opera’s 2013 production of Aida
Photo provided

This Saturday, June 27, marks the 100th anniversary of Cincinnati Opera’s first performance at the Cincinnati Zoo.

Cincinnati’s classical public radio station, 90.9 WGUC, celebrates the company’s centenary with a series of special encore performances every Saturday at 1 p.m. through July. Tune in to 90.9 WGUC or wguc.org to listen.

This Saturday, June 27, artistic director Evans Mirageas will regale you with the rich—and sometimes hilarious—history of opera in the Queen City and the events that led to the creation of Cincinnati Opera in 1920.

That’s followed at 2 p.m. by a broadcast of the 2002 production of Strauss’ “Elektra.” If I recall, that electrifying production directed by Nic Muni starred Deborah Polaski in the title role (a Metropolitan Opera star and CCM grad) in one of the great performances of this era.

July 4: Puccini’s most celebrated opera, La Bohème, performed in 2017 and conducted by CSO Music Director Louis Langrée. He was the first CSO music director to guest-conduct the opera since Max Rudolf.

July 11: The Tales of Hoffman, originally performed in 2006 at Music Hall.

July 18: World premiere of Fellow Travelers by Gregory Spears; libretto by Greg Pierce.

July 25: Aida, originally performed in 2013 at Music Hall

Art of the Piano to be virtual this year

June 16, 2020 janellegelfandLeave a comment

Awadagin Pratt established Art of the Piano 10 years ago at CCM

It comes as no surprise that Art of the Piano, the festival of pianists and piano music founded by Awadagin Pratt, will be virtual — or “Onlive!” — this year-of-the-covid.

The festival will begin at 6 p.m. June 23 with a live-streamed concert by a superstar pianist to be named “once the ink is dry on the corona-revised contract,” Pratt says. The festival runs through July 27 with weekly concerts and lectures by both distinguished and emerging artists.

The website is under construction in preparation, so check back for news at artofthepiano.org.

Here is Awadagin’s statement regarding diversity with his announcement:Read More »

Covid-19 update: Digital resources to calm and entertain

March 21, 2020 janellegelfandLeave a comment

The CSO and Pops are making recordings available online. Mark Lyons, photo

Here’s a list of things to do, thanks to ArtWave and other sources:

ArtsWave’s daily Mindful Music Moments This free online series offers 10 weeks of daily doses of guided meditation set to music by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati Opera.

• Baker Hunt Art & Cultural Center’s daily online art project

• The Children’s Theater of Cincinnati podcast and performance of
“Suffragettes: With Liberty and Voting For All”

• Cincinnati Art Museum online collection

• Cincinnati Museum Center’s Wonder Zone videos (starting with Kellogg the Corn Snake

• Cincinnati Opera’s podcast with Evans Mirageas. You’ll learn about the life and work of everyone who brings opera to life, from performers and seasoned stage directors to rising contemporary composers.

• Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s Home Safaris Facebook Live events

• Online classes with Clifton Cultural Arts Center

• Hear a live recording of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra in Concert

• Watch the Cincinnati Pops perform American Soundscapes: Star Trek

• Classics for Kids. Click here to find podcasts, activity sheets, lesson plans and more. The 6-minute episodes are produced by Cincinnati Public Radio.

• On-demand streaming from Know Theatre of Cincinnati (tickets required)

• Musical Mornings with Linton Chamber Music Peanut Butter and Jam
Sessions

• Sound Discoveries: Liz Wu instructs in musical instruments you can make at home.

• Virtual story times from the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton
County — including “Fiona’s Feelings”

Starling Chamber Orchestra: See Boyun Li play the Bruch Violin Concerto. Live recording from Starling Showcase of amazingly talented young students, University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, conducted by François López-Ferrer. Recorded live on February 22, 2020 in Werner Recital Hall at CCM.

Live stream tonight: Walnut Hills High teen to perform as finalist in Hilton Head Piano Competition

March 14, 2020 janellegelfandLeave a comment

Kasey Shao, 16, a rising star pianist and a junior at Walnut Hills High School, is a finalist in the Hilton Head International Piano Competition. You can hear her perform the Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1 for the Final Round with the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, conducted by John Morris Russell at 7 p.m. tonight (March 14).

It will be live-streamed here.

Kasey studies with Ran Dank at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.

The last time I interviewed her, she was preparing for the Van Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition. You can read about her previous performances and competitions in that article.

For info about the competition, click here.

We wish her luck!

More cancellations, but the ZOO is open — outdoor exhibits, anyway

March 14, 2020 janellegelfandLeave a comment

You can pretty much assume that if you own a performing arts ticket between now and April 12 or so, it has been cancelled to avoid community spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Ohio. Here’s the latest:

Matinee Musicale’s recital featuring opera star Nicole Cabell, soprano, and Donna Loewy, piano, on March 27th in Memorial Hall has been canceled. In addition, the master class that the soprano graciously agreed to perform with voice students at CCM on March 26 is also canceled.

The artist has agreed to reschedule if at all possible. Here’s the organizations’ message:

“Matinée Musicale will work to make this happen when government restrictions are lifted and the health and well-being of all participants is no longer threatened. We will have information about rescheduling and/or ticket refunds/exchanges soon.

“At this time, we expect the April 19 and May 2 recitals to proceed as planned. If the Governor’s ban is extended beyond April 3, notifications will be sent promptly. Check our website for more information: matineemusicalecincinnati.org.”

The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden is open, but precautions are being taken — and you might not get to see Fiona, as indoor animal habitats are closed. But you can still walk the lovely grounds and see the animals that are outside.

Here’s the Zoo’s statement:Read More »

Coronavirus COVID-19 Update

March 13, 2020March 14, 2020 janellegelfandLeave a comment

Here’s the situation at CCM. all CCM public performances scheduled now (March 12, 2020) through May 31, 2020, have been canceled or rescheduled.

Student recitals that are degree requirements may still occur during this time frame, provided that social distancing is observed and respected; these student recitals will not be open to the general public.

Any ticket purchaser affected by a paid performance cancellation can contact the CCM Box Office at 513-556-4183 to request a refund.

CCM VILLAGE NEWS ARCHIVES

Although there have been no documented cases of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus within our campus community, the University of Cincinnati is making needed preparations to be able to quickly respond if COVID-19 is detected.

Based on the latest updates from Ohio Governor Mike DeWineand following the University of Cincinnati’s updated public health practices, all CCM public performances scheduled now (March 12, 2020) through May 31, 2020, have been canceled or rescheduled.*

Student recitals that are degree requirements may still occur during this time frame, provided that social distancing is observed and respected; these student recitals will not be open to the general public.

Any ticket purchaser affected by a paid performance cancellation can contact the CCM Box Office at 513-556-4183 to request a refund.

This is an extremely fluid situation and guidelines are subject to change. Additional updates regarding CCM performances will be published at ccm.uc.edu and

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CSO, Pops cancel shows through April 5 after Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine bans gatherings of more than 100

March 12, 2020March 14, 2020 janellegelfandLeave a comment

The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Pops have canceled all concerts through “at least April 5 due to coronavirus concerns. The orchestra released this statement on its website:

“Governor DeWine’s decision prioritizes public health by restricting all large gatherings, and we are committed to the health and well-being of our audience members, musicians, volunteers and staff.

“This cancellation will have a significant financial impact for the Orchestra. We are especially appreciative of our generous supporters who will consider their donating tickets for these performances. Throughout our 125-year history, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra has navigated challenges and continues to thrive because of the strength of our community. Now, as always, we are grateful for our community’s extraordinary support.”

Click here for information about ticket exchanges or how to donate.

Here are others that we know about:

♦Memorial Hall has closed due to concerns around the spread of COVID-19.

♦Chamber Music Cincinnati has canceled the Pavel Haas Quartet concert scheduled for tonight. Ticket fees will be refunded automatically. Info: 513-977-8838.

♦Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati (ETC) is temporarily suspending all performances, events, and community programs, effective immediately.

The theatre is working to identify dates to reschedule its shows and ticket holders for upcoming performances will be contacted. Additionally, ETC will be relaxing its exchange policies and waive all fees to find suitable solutions for its patrons.

♦YPCC has canceled Saturday’s Radio Revelry Gala Concert at Cincinnati Museum Center. It will be rescheduled for May 19. Details here.

♦The Metropolitan Opera has canceled its Live in HD performances in movie theaters around the country.

♦At the Aronoff Center: Friday’s performance of Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood: The Scared Scriptless Tour has been rescheduled for Tuesday, May 26, 2020 at 7:30 PM at the Aronoff Center’s Procter & Gamble Hall.

♦Tomorrow evening’s performance of Sex n’ the City: A (Super Unauthorized) Musical Parody has been rescheduled for Saturday, June 13, 2020 at 7:30 PM at the Aronoff Center’s Jarson-Kaplan Theater. The show was originally scheduled for Friday, March 13, 2020.

♦Due to Johnny Mathis’ specific travel and health advisements, this Saturday’s concert with Johnny Mathis has been rescheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2020 at 8:00 PM at the Aronoff Center’s Procter & Gamble Hall. The concert was originally scheduled for Saturday, March 14, 2020.

Current Aronoff Center ticketholders will be sent new tickets with the rescheduled date and time the week of April 6, 2020. Refund info prior to Friday, April 3, 2020 at (513) 621-2787 or ticketing@cincinnatiarts.org.

♦Cincinnati Art Museum: The Gorham Silver: Designing Brilliance, 1850–1970 opening reception and lecture have been cancelled. However, self-tours will be permitted in the new exhibition until 7 p.m., and the museum will remain open until 8 p.m.

Across the country, the arts are taking a hit. At 5 p.m. today, Broadway theaters will go dark by order of Governor Andrew Cuomo. Here’s Playbill.

See the list in the previous post for more cancellations.

Watch for updates: Coronavirus causing cancellations in Cincy’s concert season

March 12, 2020March 12, 2020 janellegelfandLeave a comment

You’ve probably seen the cancellations across the country due to COVID-19 — of sporting events, parades and arts presentations in large theaters — from opera and ballet to “Hamilton” (canceled in San Francisco).

Just in: The Findlay Market Opening Day Parade on March 26 will be either canceled or postponed.

As far as the arts in Cincinnati, I’ve gotten official word that the Linton Chamber Music Series concerts on March 15-16 have been cancelled this weekend. In addition, there will be no “Peanut Butter & Jam Session” this week at Mt. Washington Presbyterian Church or next week at Sycamore Presbyterian Church. Information here.

Because the University of Cincinnati is canceling in-person classes from March 14 through April 13, I’m hearing from faculty members that performances at the College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) will be canceled through the end of the semester. It’s possible that some may be live-streamed, if you interpret the UC message below: Read More »

Renowned organist to perform for second annual Organ Festival this weekend

March 5, 2020March 7, 2020 janellegelfandLeave a comment

The historic Covenant-First Presbyterian Church, downtown, will host its second annual Organ Festival this weekend, March 8 & 9, 2020.

This year, the featured organist is Alan Morrison, of the Curtis Institute. He will perform a free public recital at the church at 4 p.m. Sunday, March 8. On Monday March 9, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, he’ll preside over a master class for CCM organ students, also hosted at the church.

The festival is a partnership between the church (which hosts the events and underwrites all the costs) and the CCM Organ Department, which is directed by Dr. Michael Unger.

“The goal of this now second annual Organ Festival continues to be twofold: To bring a top organist to Cincinnati in recital, but also and as importantly, to partner with CCM’s organ studio to provide support for the future generation of church musicians,” said Robert Heidenreich, church member and festival organizer. “Our partnering with CCM continues to grow, and this is one key part of that.”

Morrison’s Sunday afternoon program looks tempting: Read More »

Karin Pendle, a pioneering scholar of women in music and a mentor to many

January 27, 2020January 28, 2020 janellegelfand8 Comments

She was a soloist with Cincinnati May Festival and edited “A City that Sings” on Cincinnati’s choral history

Karin Swanson Pendle was a pioneer in the scholarship of women in music and a professor who inspired legions of students at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.

For many, she was a mentor. Personally, it was through her groundbreaking course on women in music at CCM that I became acquainted with the breadth and depth of women’s contributions to music. It became a passion that continues to this day. Although Dr. Pendle was a demanding and sometimes formidable professor, she was also fiercely supportive even while pushing her students to achieve their highest potential. If we ever displayed self-doubt, she was quick to remind us that “you have a brain,” always encouraging us to think, dig deeper and find our own answers.

“Her praise was rare, but precious,” said musicologist Jennifer Thomas.

Dr. Pendle died on Dec. 9 at Twin Towers in College Hill, Cincinnati. She was 80.

Dr. Pendle edited and wrote a chapter for “Women and Music: A History,” one of the first textbooks ever printed on women’s roles in music when it was published in 1991 by Indiana University Press. She also edited the textbook’s second edition, published in 2001.

It remains an invaluable survey of women’s activities in music performance, composition, teaching and patronage from the time of ancient Greece to the present day, illuminating achievements by women that have been largely invisible through the centuries.Read More »