Season of the Arts: Classical music
Classical music, dance, and jazz are alive and well in northwest Ohio
9/18/2016Classical music, dance, and jazz are alive and well in northwest Ohio, as witnessed by the amazing number of events programmed for this upcoming season. With so much on offer, selecting the five ‘not-to-miss’ concerts becomes a welcome challenge.
Honorable mention goes to the Dorothy MacKenzie Price Piano Series Steinway Gala hosted by the University of Toledo Department of Music. The afternoon acknowledges her lifetime of philanthropy to the arts. The best pianists from northwest Ohio and Michigan will gather to present a program of music singularly fit for the occasion at 3 p.m. Nov. 6 at the Recital Hall of the UT Center for Performing Arts.
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RELATED CONTENT: Concert listing through June, 2017
Stefan Sanderling will conduct his final performance with the Toledo Symphony Orchestra in May.
Tied in fifth place are two world premieres by our resident ballet companies. On March 17, 18, and 19, the Ballet Theatre of Toledo will stage Hans Christian Anderson’s The Snow Queen at Trinity Episcopal Church, Toledo, with original choreography by artistic director Nigel Burgoine.
A month later on April 29 and 30, the Toledo Ballet will offer Tales of Grimm, with original choreography by resident choreographer Michael Lang.
Due to the creative vision of director of audience engagement Scott Boberg, the Toledo Museum of Art distinguished itself musically last season. This year is no exception. Sliding in at number four, they bring seven pianists from across the U.S. together to tackle one of the 20th century’s most challenging solo piano works. Olivier Messiaen’s three hour long Catalogue of the Birds is seven “books” inspired by the songs of various European birds. The concert, held in conjunction with National Birding week, happens 2 p.m. May 14 in the GlasSalon of the museum.
Number three is the 10th Anniversary Celebration Spring Concert of the Children’s Choir of Northwest Ohio. The ensemble, founded by director Lisa Alleman, has gained national repute as an artistic force. Their benchmark gala will happen 4 p.m. April 23 at the Maumee Performing Arts Center.
Second place is awarded to the Toledo Opera Association for adding one of the most challenging and provocative operas of the 20th century to its season. Samuel Barber’s Vanessa is an intense, dark, foreboding, and lyrical tale of a grandmother, a fallen woman, and her illegitimate child. The twisted plot unfolds when her former lover’s son arrives unexpectedly on a winter night. Performances are 7:30 p.m. March 31 and 2 p.m. April 2 at the Valentine Theatre.
Finally the top not-to-be-missed concert will happen at 8 p.m. May 5 and 6. After 15 years, maestro Stefan Sanderling will conduct his final performance with the Toledo Symphony Orchestra. Under his baton, the orchestra has risen to the heights of artistic Parnassus. Titled A Perfect Cadence, this farewell will feature pianist Martina Filjak in a program of German masterworks by Beethoven, Mozart, and Brahms.
The following is a listing of concerts for the 2016-17 year:
September
24: Toledo Symphony Keybank Pops Series: Carl Topilow: A Space Spectacular, Stranahan Theatre
25: Great Performances in the Great Gallery: HUB New Music, Toledo Museum of Art, free
25: Rosary Cathedral Concert Series: Denine LeBlanc, piano, Rosary Cathedral, free
Sept. 30/Oct. 1: Toledo Symphony Classics: Romeo and Juliet, Peristyle
October
2: Great Performances in the Great Gallery: Cole Burger, piano, Toledo Museum of Art, free
7/9: The Toledo Opera: The Barber of Seville, Valentine Theatre
8: Perrysburg Symphony: Music of Mendelssohn, Perrysburg Junior High School
8: Dorothy McKenzie Price Piano Series: Duo Pianists Matthew Gianforte and Meeyoun Park, Recital Hall, Center for Performing Arts, University of Toledo, free
8: Firelands Symphony: La Musica d’Italia, Sandusky State Theatre
8-9: University Musical Society: Takacs String Quartet: Beethoven Quartet Cycle: Concerts 1 and 2, Rackham Auditorium, Ann Arbor
9: Great Performances in the Great Gallery: Pablo Amoros, piano, Toledo Museum of Art, free
13-15: University Musical Society: Mark Morris Dance Group and the Silk Road Ensemble: Layla and Majnun, Power Center, Ann Arbor
16: Toledo Symphony Blade Chamber Series: Musical Diversions, Toledo Club
16: St. Tim’s Discover’s Music Series: Cheryl Babb and Friends do Broadway, St. Timothy’s Episcopal, Perrysburg, free
20: The Sound of Silents: The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, Peristyle
20: Toledo Jazz Orchestra: To Brazil and Back with guitarist Chris Buzzeli, Registry Bistro, Toledo
20-21: The University Musical Society: Dorrance Dance Company, Power Center, Ann Arbor
22: Toledo Symphony Keybank Pops Series: Herman’s Hermits, Stranahan Theatre
23: Bowling Green Area Community Bands: Halloween Concert, Bowling Green School’s Performing Arts Center, Bowling Green, free
28/29: Toledo Symphony Classics: Beethoven, Bloch, and Dvorak, Peristyle
30: Toledo Symphony Anderson’s Family Series: Halloween Spooktacular, Valentine Theatre
30: Rosary Cathedral Concert Series: harpist Youlanda Kondonassis and guitarist Jason Vieaux, Rosary Cathedral, free
November
5: Toledo Symphony Welltower Mozart and More Series: A Winter’s Tale, Lourdes University.
5: Toledo Chapter of the American Guild of Organists: Pedals, Pipes and Pizza: An Introduction to the Organ for Children, Glenwood Lutheran Church, Toledo
6: Dorothy MacKenzie Price Piano Series: Steinway Gala, Recital Hall, Center for Performing Arts, University of Toledo, $10
6: Toledo Symphony Youth Orchestra Concert, Peristyle
6: Perrysburg Chorale: Bicentennial Concert, St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, Perrysburg
6: Firelands Symphony: A Night with the USO, Sandusky State Theatre
0: Jazz Under Glass with the Art Tatum Society: Guy Mintus, GlasSalon, Toledo Mueseum of Art
12-13: The University Musical Society: The Berlin Philharmonic, Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor
11-13/18-20: University of Toledo Opera Ensemble: The Merry Widow, Doermann Theater, University of Toledo, $10-$15
13: Great Performances in the Great Galley: Chelsea Cloeter, soprano, Toledo Museum of Art, free
13: Musica Antigua: Compass Points of Early Musick: West & East: Musick of Spain and Germany, Epiphany Lutheran Church, Toledo
14: BGSU Philharmonia with guest artist Noah Bendix-Balgley, concert master of the Berlin Philharmonic, Moore Musical Arts Center, BGSU
15: The University Musical Society: Gabrielli: A Venetian Coronation 1595, St. Francis of Assisi Church, Ann Arbor
16: St. Tim’s Discovers Music Series: Four Hands, One Piano: Valery Kantorski and Ann Pope, St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, Perrysburg, free
16: Denise Grupp-Verbon, harp in recital, Center for Fine & Performing Arts, Owens Community College
17: Toledo Jazz Orchestra: Cruise Ship Songs and Stories featuring vocalist Kelly Broadway, Registry Bistro, Toledo
18-19: Toledo Symphony Classics: Beethoven from the Bench, Peristyle
20: Great Performances in the Great Gallery: Joel Tse, flute, Toledo Museum of Art, free
25/26/27: Ballet Theatre of Toledo: The Nutcracker, Valentine Theatre
26: Toledo Symphony Key Bank Pops Series: Sandi Patty Farewell Tour, Valentine Theatre
December
1: Infinite Variations: The Goldberg Re-Imagined (for Two Pianos), Peristyle
2-4: River Raisin Ballet Company: The Nutcracker, River Raisin Centre for the Arts, Monroe, $13-$20
3: Toledo Symphony Anderson’s Family Series: Christmas at the Peristyle with the Children’s Choir of Northwest Ohio, Peristyle
3/4: Masterworks Chorale: Christmas Concert, Epworth United Methodist Church, Toledo
3/4: The University Musical Society: Handel’s Messiah, Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor
4: Toledo Symphony Handel’s Messiah, Rosary Cathedral
9: Rejoice Handbell Choir, Peristyle
10: The University Musical Society: The King’s Singers: A Christmas Songbook, Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor
11: Great Performances in the Great Gallery: The University of Toledo Concert Chorale, Toledo Museum of Art, free
11: Bowling Green Area Community Bands: Christmas Concert, Bowling Green School’s Performing Arts Center, Bowling Green, free
11: Perrysburg Chorale: Christmas Concert: Rejoice and Be Merry, Zoar Lutheran Church, Perrysburg
11: Firelands Symphony: Holiday Magic, Sandusky State Theatre
15: Children’s Choir of Northwest Ohio: Holiday Art Loop Concert, Tony Packo’s at the Park, Toledo
15: Jazz Under Glass with the Art Tatum Society, GlasSalon, Toledo Museum of Art
17: Glen Tucker: Jazz Nativity, Peristyle
17: Toledo Jazz Orchestra: Cool Yule Annual Holiday Concert, Valentine Theatre
17/18: Toledo Ballet: The Nutcracker, Stranahan Theater
18: Rosary Cathedral Concert Series: A Christmas Carol Sing, Rosary Cathedral, free
January
1: Great Performances in the Great Gallery: The AntiVillans, Toledo Museum of Art, free
4: Rosary Cathedral Concert Series: Organist Dexter Kennedy in recital, Rosary Cathedral, free
7/8: The University Musical Society: Batsheva Dance Company: Last Work, Power Center, Ann Arbor
13/14: Toledo Symphony Classics: Organ, Orchestra and Xanadu: Organist Paul Jacobs with the TSO, Peristyle
14: Toledo Jazz Orchestra: Tormé Sings Tormé, Valentine Theatre
15: Paul Jacobs, organist in recital, Peristyle
18: The Dance Theatre of Harlem, Valentine Theatre
19: The Sound of Silents: The Gold Rush, Peristyle
19: The University Musical Society: Prague Philharmonic, Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor
21: Toledo Symphony Welltower Mozart and More Series: Mozart and Tchaikovsky, Lourdes University
21/22: The University Musical Society: Takacs Quartet: Beethoven Quartet Cycle: Concerts 3 & 4, Rackham Auditorium, Ann Arbor
22: Toledo Symphony Anderson’s Family Series: Score!: The Sound of Sports, Valentine Theatre
29: Toledo Symphony Blade Chamber Series: Beethoven and Verdi, Toledo Club
29: Great Performances in the Great Gallery: University of Toledo Outstanding Student Concert, Toledo Museum of Art, free
February
2: Dorothy McKenzie Price Piano Series: Pianist Caroline Hong in recital, Recital Hall, Center for Performing Arts, University of Toledo, free
2: The University Musical Society: Bruckner Orchester Linz, Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor
3: The University Musical Society: The Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, St. Francis of Assisi, Ann Arbor
3/4: Toledo Symphony Classics: Sarah Chang and West Side Story, Peristyle
5: The University Musical Society: Calidore String Quarte, Rackham Auditorium, Ann Arbor
10: The University Musical Society: Budapest Festival Orchestra, Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor
10/12: Toledo Opera: The Marriage of Figaro, Valentine Theatre
11: Toledo Symphony Keybank Pops Series: Yesterday Once More: A Tribute to the Music of the Carpenters. Stranahan Theatre
11: St. Tim’s Discovers Music Series: Horns and Pipes: Music for brass and organ featuring Michael Gartz, organist, St. Rose Catholic Church, Perrysburg, free
11: Firelands Symphony: Masterful Beethoven, Sandusky State Theatre
18: Toledo Symphony Welltower Mozart and More Series: An Evening of Haydn, Lourdes University
19: Toledo Symphony Youth Orchestra Concert, Peristyle
20: Art Tatum Memorial Jazz Scholarship Concert, Recital Hall, Center for Performing Arts, University of Toledo, $10-$15
23: Hansen Musical Arts Series presents the Grammy-winning vocal ensemble Roomful of Teeth, Moore Musical Arts Center, BGSU
24/25: Toledo Symphony Classics: Heavenly Preludes, Peristyle
26: Great Performances in the Great Gallery: Kate Boyd, piano, Toledo Museum of Art, free
26: Bowling Green Area Community Bands: Winter Concert, Bowling Green School’s Performing Arts Center, Bowling Green, free
27: Tapestry: Guitar/Harp Duo in Concert, Fayette Opera House, Fayette
March
4: Toledo Chapter of the American Guild of Organists: Sacred Music Choral Festival
4 : The University Musical Society: Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor
5: Toledo Symphony Blade Chamber Series: Mendelssohn Octet, Toledo Club
5: Great Performances in the Great Gallery: Shannon Ford, saxophone, Toledo Museum of Art, free
5: Epworth Artist Series: The Clarence Smith Community Chorus and the Children’s Choir of Northwest Ohio, Epworth United Methodist Church, Toledo
9: Jazz Under Glass with the Art Tatum Society, GlasSalon, Toledo Museum of Art
11: Toledo Symphony Keybank Pops Series: Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, Stranahan Theatre
11: Toledo Jazz Orchestra: Drums & Drummers: A Tribute to Roger Schupp, Valentine Theatre
11: The University Musical Society: Beethoven: Missa Solemnis, Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor
11/12: Perrysburg Chorale: Celtic Concert: Music of the Isles, First Perbyterian Church, Bowling Green, First United Methodist Church, Perrysburg
12: Toledo Symphony Youth Orchestra Concert, Peristyle
17/18: Toledo Symphony Classics: Heidi Grant Murphy and Mahler, Peristyle
17-19: Ballet Theatre of Toledo: The Snow Queen, Trinity Episcopal Church
18: The University Musical Society: Steve Reich @ 80: Music for 18 Musicians, Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor
8: Firelands Symphony: Téada — Irish Band, Sandusky State Theatre
19: Great Performances in the Great Gallery: University of Toledo Voice Faculty Recital, Toledo Museum of Art, free
19: Toledo Chapter of the American Guild of Organists Student Recital, First Presbyterian Church, Maumee
19: St. Tim’s Discovers Music Series: Cellist Damon Colemon and pianist Michael Boyd in recital, St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, Perrysburg, free
24: BSGU Opera Theatre: Kurt Weill’s Street Scene, Donnell Theatre, Wolfe Center for the Arts, BGSU
25: Toledo Symphony Welltower Mozart and More Series: Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart, Lourdes University
25: Spektral Quartet: Morton Feldman String Quartet No. 2, GlasSalon, Toledo Museum of Art
23: Perrysburg Symphony and Perrysburg Junior High Orchestras: Side-By-Side Concert, Perrysburg Junior High School, Perrysburg, $10-12
25/26: The University Musical Society: Takacs Quartet: Beethoven Quartet Cycle: Concerts 5 & 6, Rackham Auditorium, Ann Arbor
26: BSGU Opera Theatre: Kurt Weill’s Street Scene. Donnell Theatre, Wolfe Center for the Arts, BGSU
30-31: University of Toledo New Music Festival
31: Toledo Opera: Vanessa, Valentine Theatre
31: Jazz week concluding concert with guest artist Alan Ferber, Moore Musical Arts Center, BGSU
April
1: Masterworks Chorale: Classics Concert, Trinity Episcopal Church, Toledo
1: Dorothy McKenzie Price Piano Series: Pianist William Wellborn in recital, Recital Hall, Center for Performing Arts, University of Toledo, free
2: Toledo Opera: Vanessa, Valentine Theatre
7/8: Toledo Symphony Classics Series: Tchaikovsky’s Fourth, Peristyle
7-9: River Raisin Ballet: Alice in Wonderland, River Raisin Centre for the Arts, Monroe, $13-$20
9: Great Performances in the Great Gallery: BGSU Chamber Music Competition Winners, Toledo Museum of Art, free
12: Ballet Theatre of Toledo: The Great Pancake Escape, Valentine Theatre
13: The Sound of Silents: The Passion of Joan of Arc, Peristyle
14: University Choral Society and Early Music Ensemble in J.S. Bach’s St. John Passion, First United Methodist Church, Bowling Green
21-23: University of Toledo Opera Ensemble: The Brother’s Grimm & Little Red Riding Hood, Recital Hall, Center for Performing Art, University of Toledo, $10-$15
22: Toledo Jazz Orchestra: Sixty Years of West Side Story, Valentine Theatre
22: The University Musical Society: Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer & Chris Thile: Bach Trios, Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor
23: Toledo Symphony Blade Chamber Series: Sounds of Nature, Toledo Club
23: Children’s Choir of Northwest Ohio: 10th Anniversary Celebration Spring Concert, Maumee Performing Arts Center, Maumee
25: The University Choral Society: Opera in Concert: Handel’s Ariodante with soprano Joyce DiDonato, Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor
28: Toledo Symphony: Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis, Peristyle
29/30: Toledo Ballet: Tales of Grimm, Valentine Theatre
29: Firelands Symphony: Rising Stars,Sandusky State Theatre
30: Musica Antigua: Compass Points of Early Musick: South & North: Musick of Italy and England, Epiphany Lutheran Church, Toledo
May
1: Toledo Symphony Youth Orchestra Pops Concert
5/6: Toledo Symphony Classics: Sanderling: A Perfect Cadence, Peristyle
11: Jazz Under Glass with the Art Tatum Jazz Society. GlasSalon, Toledo Museum of Art
13: Toledo Symphony Keybank Pops Series: Westwater Arts: Our National Parks, Stranahan Theatre
14: Olivier Messiaen’s Catalogue of Birds, GlasSalon, Toledo Museum of Art
16: Rosary Cathedral Concert Series: Mount Union Concert Choir, Rosary Cathedral, free
18: The Sound of Silents: Metropolis, Peristyle
18: Toledo Jazz Orchestra: The Great American Song Book with the Parker/Potter Quintet, Registry Bistro, Toledo
18-21: The Harp Gathering: Concert, Workshops and Vendor Hall, Sauder Heritage Inn, Archbold
June
3: Masterworks Chorale and Ballet Theatre of Toledo: Collage X, Valentine Theatre
11: Bowling Green Area Community Bands: BG City Park Concert, free