Category: WVXU

COVID-19 derails Carnegie Hall debut for local musicians

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Howard Helvey and choir rehearsing for Carnegie Hall debut. They are hopeful that it will be rescheduled.

Perhaps you saw this article in yesterday’s Business Courier, which says:

“Many musicians dream of performing at Carnegie Hall, America’s legendary concert hall in New York. This weekend, Cincinnati conductor and composer Howard Helvey will realize that dream when he leads members of the Choir of Calvary Episcopal Church and the Varsity Ensemble of Winton Woods High School in eight of his own works at Carnegie Hall. Helvey will lead a festival chorus of more than 150 singers – including the Cincinnati ensembles – in his music on March 15 in Stern Auditorium.”

Of course, that is not happening. I reached out to Howard to find out what happened.Read More »

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

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Nicole Cabell pledges to return

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 »

More closures: This time, the museums

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Vincent Van Gogh, Undergrowth with Two Figures, at Cincinnati Art Museum — and also online. Image provided.

It’s not only the performing arts that are closing down operations. Today, Cincinnati’s three major art museums — Cincinnati Art Museum, the Contemporary Museum of Art and the Taft Museum of Art — sent out a joint statement that they will be closed through April 3.

Cincinnati Art Museum has suggestions for exploring art at home:

Explore Cincinnati Art Museum’s permanent collection artworks that have been digitized and are  available for viewing on our website.

There are also online exhibitions for you to view any time, any place.

Google Arts & Culture features many CAM artworks.

The museums hope you’ll explore their news and collections online at their respective websites, cincinnatiartmuseum.org, contemporaryartscenter.org and taftmuseum.org.
At Cincinnati Museum Center: In the interests of guest health and safety, Cincinnati Museum Center will temporarily close effective Saturday, March 14. CMC will continue to monitor the developments around the COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus and will evaluate a prudent date to reopen.

In addition, the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center will temporarily shut down its museum operations. The museum will close to the public on Saturday, March 14, through April 3. There are tentative plans to reopen the museum on April 4. The Holocaust & Humanity Center believes halting operations is the most effective way to safeguard guests and staff in response to the COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus.

Cincinnati Ballet reschedules productions, cite financial repercussions

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A message from Cincinnati Ballet: Cincinnati Ballet’s upcoming performances of Director’s Cut (March 19-21) at Cincinnati Music Hall are being rescheduled to April 30-May 2, 2020 at the Aronoff Center to recorded music. The decision to reschedule these performances will allow our patrons to experience the athleticism and artistry of this compelling program while also protecting the health of our community. Those who have tickets to affected performances will receive direct communications regarding their options.

Cincinnati Ballet’s upcoming performances of Family Series: Snow White have been cancelled. This was a difficult but necessary decision to protect the health of our community. A bit of good news – Snow White will be added to the 2020-2021 Season, in lieu of The Little Mermaid.

These unprecedented circumstances pose financial repercussions for our community and Cincinnati Ballet. As a non-profit arts organization, ticket sales only account for 35% of what it takes to support a world-class ballet company. Our patrons are our livelihood and the reason our dancers perform each season. We thank you for your continued support of Cincinnati Ballet and value you as a member of our family.

For questions and other ticket needs, email info@cballet.org or call Patron Engagement at 513-621-5282.

Melissa Gelfin and Cervilio Miguel Amador in the leading roles of Cincinnati Ballet’s “Romeo and Juliet” in 2017. Photo provided.

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

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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

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From a recent Linton Chamber concert. Linton has canceled concerts this weekend.

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

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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 »

All Beethoven, all the time

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Stefani Matsuo
Photo by Jake Anderson

Beethoven’s 250th birthday this year (Dec. 16 2020) is offering musical groups around the world a reason to celebrate this revolutionary composer. This weekend, the chamber ensemble concert:nova is presenting Beethoven’s violin and cello sonatas in three consecutive concerts. It will offer a chance to hear musicians of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, including new concertmaster Stefani Matsuo, performing with some excellent pianists, faculty members at CCM and Oberlin.

Here’s the lineup. There will be cake — presents not necessary.

The concerts are at the First Lutheran Church, 1208 Race Street in OTR. Tickets are $25 in advance; $30 at the door or $60 for the whole birthday bundle. Click here to purchase.Read More »

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

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Karin Pendle low resShe 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 »

Happy Year of the Rat

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chinese new yearJoin the Cincinnati Chinese community in celebrating the Chinese New Year of the Rat with a special concert by the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra, Friday, January 24th (the eve of the Chinese New Year) in Memorial Hall, Over-the-Rhine.

Festivities begin at 6:30 p.m. The evening will feature performances of traditional Chinese music by the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra at 8 p.m.

Founded in 1952, the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra highlights the history, legacy and influence of Chinese culture with a program of works performed on a mixture of Western and traditional Chinese instruments. The program, says spokesman Rudolph Tang, “represents its latest concept in showcasing the ancient Chinese music from the contemporary prism.”

Cincinnati is one of the seven concert stops during the orchestra’s U.S. tour. Others are the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., Chicago’s Symphony Hall, Detroit’s Orchestra Hall, San Diego and Orange County, California.

The pre-concert celebration will include a Lion Dance, youth ensemble, an exhibition of Chinese photography and more.

Support comes from the Alliance of Chinese Culture and Arts USA.

Details:

When: January 24, 2020 

6:30pm  Celebration in the lobby and ballrooms (Lion dance, youth ensemble, Chinese photography  exhibits, and more)

8 p.m.  Concert by the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra 

Where： Memorial Hall (1225 Elm St. Cincinnati, OH 45202)

Price:  $15 (family balcony); $30; $55 (VIP) 

Visit memorialhallotr.com to purchase tickets.

 

The Alliance of Chinese Culture & Arts, USA is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization. Its mission is to build bridges for cultural diversity,  and connect people through various forms of the arts.