Renzi joins symphony for Oct. 19-20 Classics concerts
10/11/2012The Toledo Symphony will present its Francophile Festival, the Classics II concerts, at 8 p.m. Oct. 19 and 20 in the Peristyle.
The program to be conducted by Stefan Sanderling will bring back popular local pianist Frances Renzi.
Two works on the program, Emmanuel Chabrier's Habanera and Cesar Franck's Symphonic Variations, will be Toledo Symphony premieres. The concert will conclude with Hector Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique.
Renzi, an emeritus professor of music from the University of Toledo, earned a master's degree at the Juilliard School and was solo pianist for the New York City Ballet before coming to Toledo. She will perform in the Franck work. She has performed in Dallas, Washington, Houston, Chicago, and New Hampshire, and records on several labels.
Tickets are $22-$52 at 419-246-8000 or www.toledosymphony.com.
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Musica Antigua de Toledo will open its 2012-13 concert series, Golden Oldies, with a 3:30 p.m. concert Oct. 21 in the University of Toledo Center for Performing Arts Recital Hall. The program, Golden Girls, will pay tribute to female composers of the Baroque Era. Tickets at the door are $2-$10. Series tickets start at $18.
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Monroe Street United Methodist Church will open its 2012-2013 concert season with Serenade, an afternoon of music for trumpet and soprano performed by Carol Dusdieker and Thaddeus Archer. Pianist Robert Ballinger will accompany. Music begins at 4 p.m. Oct. 21 in the church sanctuary, 3613 Monroe St. Admission is free with an offering to benefit the church scholarship fund.
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The Cathedral Concerts series at Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral, will continue with a free performance at 3 p.m. Oct. 21 by the Toledo Diocesan Choir and Orchestra, conducted by Paul Monachino. On the program will be the Vivaldi Magnificat and other vocal works plus Handel's Organ Concerto, performed by Michael Gartz.
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Michigan events start with the Michigan Opera Theatre's opening production, Rossini's comedy The Barber of Seville, conducted by Suzanne Acton with the opera company's orchestra. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Wednesday, Oct. 19 and 20, and 2:30 p.m. Oct. 21. The restored Detroit Opera House downtown at 1526 Broadway is the venue; parking at the Opera House Parking Center makes access easier. Tickets start at $25 at www.michiganopera.org or 313-237-SING.
Ann Arbor will welcome pianist Murray Perahia at 8 p.m. Oct. 20 in Hill Auditorium, a University Musical Society production. Information: www.ums.org or 734-764-2538.
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The Musical Arts Series of Firelands is to launch its concert series with a performance by pianist James D'Leon at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Firelands Presbyterian Church, 2626 East Harbor Rd., Port Clinton.
His program will include music by Liszt, Beethoven, Saint-Saens, Takemitsu, and Ghost Variations for piano by George Tsontakis.
D'Leon, a native of South Korea, performed his first recital at age 5. After studying with his mother, he moved with his family to San Francisco for his advanced study, and then to Philadelphia, where he earned a degree from Temple University. He has a doctorate in music from the Eastman School.
Tickets for the concert are $15 at the door.
D'Leon will present a piano workshop at 2 p.m. Sunday in the church. Piano students may sign up for this workshop by calling Kay McIntosh at 440-725-1546. The cost of the workshop is $10, and includes admission to the Saturday concert.
Information: 419-732-6211 or www.firelandschurch.org.
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Auditions for dancers in the upcoming production of The Nutcracker, to be produced Dec. 1 and 2 by Ballet Theatre of Toledo at the Sandusky State Theater, Sandusky, are set for Sunday at 1124 Corporate Dr., Holland.
Children ages 9-12 with dance experience will be auditioned from 5-6 p.m. and dancers ages 13-18 will try out from 6-7 p.m. Tumblers are encouraged to audition. All prospective cast members should arrive at least 15 minutes ahead of tryout time to register and warm up.
Information: 419-861-0835.
Items for News of Music should be sent to svallongo@theblade.com at least two weeks ahead of the event.