From ancient Egypt to the coast of Cornwall, the classic arts scene in New York is never quiet. Here is just a sampling of some of the classic arts events happening this week:
The Metropolitan Opera rings in the new year with a new production of Aida, the company鈥檚 first new production of Verdi鈥檚 late masterpiece since 1988. Michael Mayer directs the new production, opening New Year鈥檚 Eve, which stars soprano Angel Blue as the titular Ethiopian princess who, while enslaved in Egypt, falls in love with the Egyptian soldier Radam猫s, played by tenor Piotr Becza艂a. Mezzo-soprano Judit Kutasi plays Amneris, the Egyptian princess who is Aida鈥檚 rival for Radam猫s鈥� affection. Conflicts of love and duty ensue when Egypt launches a campaign against Aida鈥檚 homeland, and her father Amonasro (baritone Quinn Kelsey) is captured. Basses Dmitry Belosselskiy and Morris Robinson complete the cast as the high priest Ramfis and the King of Egypt, respectively, and Met Music Director Yannick N茅zet-S茅guin conducts.
The New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players revive its production of The Pirates of Penzance for two weekends at the Gerald W. Lynch Theatre beginning January 4, 2025. One of the most popular works in the Gilbert and Sullivan canon, The Pirates of Penzance was also the only one to have its world premiere on Broadway, where it has remained popular ever since. A new adaptation will come to the Todd Haimes Theatre this spring, but in the meantime, NYGASP will present a more traditional version of the opera, which follows Frederic, who, as a young boy, was mistakenly apprenticed to a band of pirates. Although morally opposed to their occupation, he is nevertheless duty-bound to aid in their crimes, at least until his 21st birthday, when he comes of age and is freed from his indentures鈥攐r so he thinks.
Mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard joins the New York Philharmonic January 2-7 to perform Summer Nights鈥攏o, not the song from Grease, but rather the song cycle by Berlioz, Les Nuits d鈥櫭﹖茅, in French. Kevin John Edusei conducts the program, which also features Samy Moussa鈥檚 Elysium and Richard Strauss鈥� Also sprach Zarathustra, the opening bars of which became famous due to their iconic usage in the film 2001: A Space Odyssey.
The Strauss Symphony of America gives a Salute to Vienna New Year鈥檚 Concert January 1 at Lincoln Center鈥檚 David Geffen Hall. Joined by soprano Katarzyna Dondalska and tenor Franz G眉rtelschmied, as well as dancers from the Budapest Ballet and International Champion Ballroom Dancers, conductor Andr谩s De谩k will lead the orchestra in an afternoon of waltzes, arias, and overtures by the Viennese 鈥淲altz King,鈥� Johann Strauss Jr.
Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo concludes its three-week residency at the Joyce Theatre this week, celebrating its 50th anniversary with two programs. The first program includes Durante Verzola鈥檚 Symphony, set to music by Gounod and inspired by George Balanchine鈥檚 Symphony in C; as well as Giselle (Act II), choreographed by Yelena Tchenychova after Perrot and Petipa鈥檚 choreography for the Adolphe Adam ballet, a staple of the classical ballet repertoire. The second program will include an excerpt from Swan Lake as choreographed by Ivanov; Yes Virginia, Another Piano Ballet, by Peter Anastos to music by Chopin; and Raymonda鈥檚 Wedding: A Traditionally Confusing Divertissement in Two Scenes, based on Marius Petipa and Alexander Glazunov鈥檚 Raymonda.
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