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Kansas City's Online Journal of the Performing Arts

The Friends of Chamber Music
The Academy of Ancient Music
Bach's Complete Brandenberg Concertos
Friday, March 13 at 8 p.m.
Folly Theater
12th and Central, Downtown Kansas City, MO

One of the major movements in classical music during the past 30 years has been the return by some ensembles to original instruments and original performances practices to try to recapture great compositions of the past in the way that the composers would have intended them to be heard. Probably the leading exponent of this performance practice has been the Academy of Ancient Music, which since its founding by Christopher Hogwood in 1973 has become one of the most recognizable names among world orchestras. Even now, 36 years later, the Academy is known for the freshness and vitality of its performances.

Concerts across six continents and over 250 recordings demonstrate the Academy's pre-eminence in music of the baroque and classical periods.

In 2006, Hogwood assumed the title of Emeritus Director and passed leadership of the AAM on to the brilliant young keyboard player Richard Egarr. He has proven to be a worthy successor. National Public Radio christened him "the Bernstein of early music", and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wrote "with Richard Egarr's brilliance as its Music Director, this orchestra is playing better than ever". Egarr's first recording as AAM Music Director was awarded a Gramophone Award for baroque instrumental music; his second climbed to number 1 in Amazon.com's "Movers and Shakers in Music" chart.

In this performance under the auspices of The Friends of Chamber Music, the Academy appears on the Folly Theater stage performing all six of Bach's pathbreaking Brandenburg Concertos.  It's rare to hear all six concertos performed in one concert (the Kansas City Chamber Orchestra did it several years ago, to great effect), and this performance should be a real treat.

For tickets call 816-561-9999 or online at www.chambermusic.org
 

Lyric Opera of Kansas City
La Traviata
by Giuseppe Verdi
Saturday, March 14 at 8 p.m.
Monday, March 16 at 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 18 at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, March 20 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, March 22 at 2 p.m.
Lyric Theater, 11th & Central, Downtown Kansas City, MO

One of the most celebrated production of Ward Holmquist's ten years as artistic director of the Lyric Opera of Kansas City was the La Traviata which opened his directorship here. Now, on the occasion of his eleventh season, the Lyric Opera is producing the piece again, with Holmquist again taking the baton and this time directing celebrated Metropolitan Opera star Mary Dunleavy in the title role.

La Traviata has long been considered a tour de force for the greatest sopranos of the age, and it is still true that no soprano, no matter how famous in other roles, can really be considered to have "made it" on the opera stage without a few productions of La Traviata under her belt.  Fortunately, Dunleavy fits the bill splendidly, having performed the role at the Metropolitan Opera, the New York City Opera, and in Barcelona, among other venues. The Lyric Opera is indeed fortunate to have obtained the services of one of today's leading sopranos for this role.

La Traviata is more than just a "soprano's opera," though. It is a moving story that requires sensitive direction and a compelling cast in all of the roles. The Lyric Opera is also bringing to the stage tenor Chad Shelton, who previously sang the title role in The Rake's Progress with the company (and other roles as well), and the powerful baritone Lester Lynch, who earlier this season was featured at the "other" Lyric Opera (the one in Chicago) as Porgy in Porgy and Bess.  Both Shelton and Lynch should be superb in their roles.

In this author's opinion this cast looks, at least on paper, to be one of the strongest the Lyric Opera has ever assembled. Early reviews from those involved in rehearsals are that the performance should be one of the best ever in Kansas City.

For tickets call 816-471-7344 or online atwww.kcopera.org
 

 Kansas City Chamber Orchestra
Beethoven, Bach and Britten
Tuesday, March 10 at 7:30 p.m.
Village Presbyterian Church
6641 Mission Road, Prairie Village, Kansas

Last week we jumped the gun a tad and announced this concert, just so you wouldn't be caught short with only a day's notice. But we mention it again because you may not want to miss it. The Kansas City Chamber Orchestra under the sensitive leadership of Bruce Sorrell will be performing Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 and Beethoven's rarely ventured Grosse fuge, one of his most atypical and forward-thinking compositions.

The program also includes Benjamin Britten's Variations on a Theme by Frank Bridge and Belmont Ford's Remembrance, which was commissioned by the Chamber Orchestra to celebrate its 10th anniversary twelve years ago, and the life of Marion Gillerlain. It is a richly rewarding work of love, loss, and renewal.

For tickets call 816-961-1324 or online at www.kcchamberorchestra.org
 

 Topeka Symphony Orchestra
Hollywood Spectacular
Saturday, March 14 at 7:30 p.m.
White Concert Hall
Washburn University, Topeka, Kansas

This concert by the Topeka Symphony under the direction of John Strickler, will feature excerpts from Hollywood blockbusters like The Wizard of Oz, Gone With the Wind, Ben Hur and others. Also on the program is the first movement from the Wieniawski Concerto No. 2 for Violin, featuring 2009 Youth Talent Winner Philip Marten.

For tickets call 785-232-2032 or e-mail tso@topekasymphony.org
For mor information visit www.topekasymphony.org (tickets not available online)

By Don Dagenais

City Classics Music and Dance Columnist; Classical Contributor

A lifelong classical music fan, Don Dagenais is a frequent preview speaker for the Lyric Opera of Kansas City and has taught classical music and opera courses at several Kansas City venues. He has served on the boards of directors of a number of performing arts organizations including the Lyric Opera of Kansas City, the Lyric Opera Guild, UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance, Opera Volunteers International, the Civic Opera Theater of Kansas City, Inspiration Point Fine Arts Colony, Octarium, and the Friends of the Symphony.  He has been the past president of most of these organizations and is current the president of the Friends of the Symphony. 

Dagenais co-authored a history of the Lyric Opera of Kansas City, published on the occasion of its 50th anniversary (2007) and has written books on the histories of both the Lyric Opera Guild and Opera Volunteers International, as well as an introductory book for opera novices (Your Passport to the Opera).  He has received several local and national awards for outstanding volunteer work for the arts, including a lifetime achievement award from The Coterie Theatre in 2000, the Kansas City Musical Club's annual award in 2001, a Partners in Excellence Award from Opera Volunteers International in 2002, a Bravo Award from Opera Volunteers International in 2004 and a community service award from the Daughter of the American Revolution in 2008 honoring him for his community service to the arts.

In addition to his music interests, Don is president of the board of directors for the Metropolitan Ensemble Theater and has served on the boards of The Coterie Theatre and the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival, serving as president of each organization.  He publishes newsletters for seven arts organizations.  When not involved in the performing arts, Don is a senior real estate attorney with Lathrop & Gage LLP in Kansas City, Missouri, where he has practiced law since 1976 after graduating from the Cornell Law School.