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Written by Harry Cherkinian, Contributing writer
Sep 22, 2010
The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra in performance. – Photo: Courtesy
As fall ushers in cooler weather, Milwaukee’s fine arts programming heats up with a number of innovative offerings. Some of the highlights to look for from the end of September through December include:
The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra presents a number of firsts this fall, beginning with “Firebird.” Igor Stravinsky’s first work with ballet master Sergei Diaghilev, “Firebird” became the first of Diaghilev’s famed “Ballets Russes.” Also on the bill is the new American concerto “Appalachian Waltz,” by contemporary composer and double bassist Edgar Meyer, whose musical styles range from classical to “newgrass.” This is a chance to hear the traditional with the contemporary in one fascinating evening (Nov. 12-14, Marcus Center for the Performing Arts.)
The Milwaukee Ballet’s work appeared early in the fall season at The Rep, with artistic director Michael Pink choreographing “Cabaret.” Now Pink turns to Victor Hugo’s “Notre Dame De Paris” to tell the story of Esmeralda, caught between her own desires and those of a higher order (the church). (Oct. 28-31, Marcus Center for the Performing Arts.)
The holidays wouldn’t be quite the same without the Ballet’s beloved “Nutcracker.” In recent years, Pink’s production of Tchaikovsky’s most famous ballet focuses on the fantasy and magic of the adventures of the young girl Clara and her valiant Nutcracker prince, as seen from the child’s perspective. After all, isn’t that what Christmas is all about? (Dec. 10-26, Marcus Center for the Performing Arts.)
If contemporary dance is what you’re looking for, then Danceworks has just the offering, perfectly timed for the current “climate.” “Lying” (as in not telling the truth) takes center stage with the 13-year-old local dance troupe as it explores the truth about deceit in movement. New York-based guest artist Amii LeGendre joins the group for a very revealing evening. (Oct. 1-9, Danceworks Studio Theatre).
The Florentine Opera opens its season with the world premiere of “Rio De Sangre,” by Don Davis. In Spanish, with English translations projected above the stage, Rio De Sangre” (“River of Blood”) tells of a fictional South American country whose government is overthrown by a new dictator, whose idealism gets in the way of what he can achieve. Director Paula Suozzi (Milwaukee Shakespeare) returns to the stage to direct this production, which presents music ranging from lilting arias to up-tempo salsa. (Oct. 22-24, Marcus Center for the Performing Arts.)
If operettas and dry British humor are more to your liking, head over to the Skylight Opera Theatre (emphasize the word “opera” here) to see the comedic Gilbert & Sullivan operetta “H.M.S. Pinafore.” The musical pokes fun at Victorian English politics, the military and people in power who are vastly unqualified. Sound familiar? (Nov. 19-Dec.19.)
Present Music celebrates Thanksgiving with its annual concert, this year featuring the Milwaukee Children’s Choir, the Milwaukee Choral Artists and the Present Music Ensemble. In addition, the Bucks Native American drumming and singing group performs. MCA’s presentation is a work by British composer John Taverner, best known for his religious-themed compositions (Nov. 21, Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.)
Frankly Music, named after artistic director Frank Almond (concertmaster of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra), celebrates its seventh season of chamber music, opening with “Strings, Strauss and Tchaikovsky” (Sept. 27-28). The seven-piece string ensemble performs Strauss’ “Metamorphosen” and Tchaikovsky’s “Souvenir.” In November the group celebrates the music of Robert Schumann with Milwaukee favorite, pianist William Wolfram, on the program. (Wolfram and Almond work well together – their 2007 recording of the Brahms Sonatas has been critically acclaimed as the best recording of this work.) Schumann-ists can expect to hear “Marchenbilder, for viola and piano, Op. 113” and “Piano Quartet.” (All fall performances at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music).
For those looking for chamber music on the west side, try Chamber Music Milwaukee, featuring faculty members from the UW-Milwaukee Peck School of the Arts performing at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts (Sept. 30). The evening’s program features “Five Bagatelles, Op.23” by Gerald Finzi, with Toddy Levy (clarinet) and Jeannie Yu (piano); “Legende Pastorale, Op. 138” by Benjamin Godard, with Margaret Butler (oboe) and Jeannie Yu (piano); selections from “Musiques populaires bresiliennes” by Celso Machado, with Caen Thomason-Redus (flute) and Rene Izquierdo (guitar); and “Trio for Violin, Horn and Piano in E flat Major, Op. 40” by Johannes Brahms, with Ilana Setapen (violin), Greg Flint (horn), and Elena Abend (piano).
