January 3, 2014
by John Von Rhein

This is the winter of our content. “Our,” as in Chicago classical music lovers. “Content,” as in pleasure unbounded. The coming three months promise a rich array of performances that should appeal to just about every listener taste, whether the music is Baroque or contemporary, or whether the genre is chamber, symphonic or opera. Here are 10 major events taking place between now and the end of March you will want to circle on your calendar:

Third Coast Percussion: One of the hottest new music groups around just keeps getting hotter. The centerpiece of a program of percussion works that marry the sounds of East and West will be former CSO resident composer Augusta Read Thomas’ “Resounding Earth,” for 125 bells, bowls and gongs from around the world, in its Chicago premiere. Feb. 21 at Logan Center for the Arts, University of Chicago, 915 E. 60th St.; $35, $5 students, at 773-702-2787 and chicagopresents.uchicago.edu

Schubert lieder at Orchestra Hall: While Riccardo Muti devotes the first half of 2014 to a cycle of Schubert symphonies with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Symphony Center Schubert Song Series will include the song cycle “Die schone Mullerin,” as performed by the peerless German baritone, Matthias Goerne, along with his frequent accompanist, pianist Christoph Eschenbach. The series will conclude in May with soprano Susanna Phillips and bass Eric Owens in a recital highlighting the composer’s songs with obbligato instruments, including “The Shepherd on the Rock.” Jan. 19 at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave.; $55-$99 at 312-294-3000 and cso.org

Emanuel Ax Brahms Project: One of today’s foremost Brahms interpreters is joined by celebrated colleagues – including mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter and cellist/CSO creative consultant Yo-Yo Ma – for a three-concert series that will set some of Brahms’ best-loved chamber, vocal and piano works alongside newly commissioned pieces by Nico Muhly, Anders Hillborg, Brett Dean and Missy Mazzoli. Kicking off the series will be Von Otter and Ax performing selected songs and solo keyboard pieces, with Mazzoli and Muhly premieres in between. Jan. 26 at Symphony Center; $21-$87 at 312-294-3000 and cso.org

“The Barber of Seville”: Lyric Opera’s new production of the evergreen Rossini comedy will bring a host of debuts, including mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard as the wily Rosina, Broadway dancer-turned-director-choreographer Rob Ashford and Italian conductor Michele Mariotti. The rest of the mostly American cast includes Nathan Gunn as the titular barber, Alek Shrader as Almaviva, Alessandro Corbelli as Bartolo and Kyle Ketelsen as Basilio. Feb. 1-28 at Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive; $34-$244 at 312-332-2244 and lyricopera.org

“Queenie Pie”: Chicago Opera Theater kicks off its 2014 season with the Chicago premiere of Duke Ellington’s only opera, composed in his signature big-band style, about a Harlem belle whose search for lasting beauty turns spiritual. It’s based on the life of Madam C.J. Walker (nee Sarah Breedlove), an African-American beauty products entrepreneur who became the nation’s first self-made female millionaire. COT will partner with the Chicago Jazz Orchestra in this co-production with Long Beach Opera. Feb. 15-March 5 at Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive; $45-$125 at 312-704-8414 and chicagooperatheater.org

“Rusalka”: Czech composer Antonin Dvorak’s adult fairy tale, about the ill-fated romance between a water nymph and a mortal prince, enters the Lyric Opera repertory for the first time. Ana Maria Martinez will portray the hapless sprite who loves and loses her Prince Charming (Brandon Jovanovich). Others in the cast include Eric Owens, Jill Grove and Ekaterina Gubanova. Andrew Davis will conduct the glorious score, with David McVicar directing. Feb. 22-March 16 at Civic Opera House; $34-$244 at 312-332-2244 and lyricopera.org

 Venice Baroque Orchestra: Director Andrea Marcon’s elegant period-instrument ensemble remains at the forefront of the historically informed performance brigade in Europe, and its program of Italian Baroque composers Porpora, Veracini, Geminiani and Vivaldi should remind us why. Making his Chicago debut as soloist will be the charismatic French countertenor Philippe Jaroussky. Feb. 28 at Mandel Hall, University of Chicago, 1131 E. 57th St.; $35, $5 for students, at 773-702-2787 and chicagopresents.uchicago.edu

Evgeny Kissin: The poetic Russian piano firebrand, now a grand old man of 42, is among the few keyboard giants of the present who can be depended on to pack concert halls. His return to Orchestra Hall gives us a chance to hear how he applies his big romantic manner to solo Scriabin and Schubert. March 2 at Symphony Center; $50-$230 at 312-294-3000 and cso.org

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