May 17, 2008
Music Column
Celebrating the Peabody
150th anniversary revelry continues with gala this weekend
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The 150th anniversary of the founding of the Peabody Institute was such a milestone last year that the celebration is still going on. It will reach a peak Saturday with a gala evening that will see music of multiple genres breaking out in practically every corner of the facility on Mount Vernon Place.
First up is the Celebration Concert in Friedberg Hall, featuring some of the music conservatory's eminent faculty artists. Guitarist Manuel Barrueco will play a work by Albeniz. Flutist Marina Picinnini will offer a fantasy on themes from Bizet's Carmen in collaboration with the Peabody Symphony, led by Hajime Teri Murai. The Peabody Children's Chorus and Pre-Conservatory Violin Choir also will participate.
The action then spreads out across the campus. In one spot, chamber music will be the focus. In another, selections from Verdi's La traviata and Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma! (with the incomparable soprano and teacher Phyllis Bryn-Julson as Aunt Eller).
There will also be a separate site for the Peabody Renaissance Ensemble, the Alumni Chamber Orchestra and Peabody Dance; and one more for jazz and salsa with the Peabody Lab Band and Peabody Latin Band.
The gala begins at 8:30 p.m. Saturday at the Peabody Institute, 17 E. Mount Vernon Place. Proceeds will support the scholarship fund. Tickets are $100. Call 410-659-8100, ext. 3040.
Getting back to Manuel Barrueco for a moment. He was in supple, colorful form in last Saturday's concert at Peabody with the dynamic Cuarteto Latinoamericano, closing the 20th anniversary season of the Baltimore Classical Guitar Society.
I caught the first half of the program, which included a typically tuneful selection by Carlos Guastavino that inspired playing of great polish and style from all the musicians. The intriguingly titled Bay of Pigs by Michael Daugherty had its appealing, atmospheric moments, along with some rather forced bits of tension, but it was all vividly performed.
Caine will be joined by members of Peabody's faculty in a concert at 8 tonight that includes some of those Mahler arrangements, as well as fresh versions of well-known Mozart pieces. Caine, who possesses startling digital skills at the keyboard, will also perform with the Peabody Jazz Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Tickets to each event are $5 to $15. Call 410-659-8100, ext. 2.
The concert is at 8:15 p.m. tomorrow at Towson's Center for the Arts, Osler and Cross Campus drives. Tickets are $5 to $13. Call 410- 704-2787 or go to centerforthearts.towson.edu.
Pro Musica will close its season at Towson University for a program of Mozart and Beethoven featuring Edmund Battersby on the fortepiano, joined by Whear and violinist Cynthia Roberts. The concert is at 3:30 p.m. May 4 at Towson's Center for the Arts, Osler and Cross Campus drives. Tickets are $25. Call 410- 704-2787 or go to centerforthearts.towson.edu.
Baltimore Opera productions ordinarily get four performances, but a fifth has been added for Butterfly. On May 17, Japanese soprano Mihoko Kinoshita will sing the title role.
Call 410-727-6000 or go to baltimore opera.com.
Copyright © 2008, The Baltimore Sun
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