From Briar Rose to Luna Moth, the classic arts scene in New York is never quiet. Here is just a sampling of some of the classic arts events happening this week.
The Metropolitan Opera’s acclaimed production of The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay returns after a sold-out run earlier this season for four additional performances February 17-21. The returning original cast includes baritone Andrzej Filończyk as Joe Cavalier, tenor Miles Mykkanen as Sam Clay, and mezzo-soprano Sun-Ly Pierce as Rosa Saks. Based on Michael Chabon’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name, the opera by Mason Bates and Gene Scheer follows Josef Kavalier and Samuel Klayman, two Jewish cousins who break into the burgeoning comic book industry of the 1930s with the creation of an anti-fascist superhero called The Escapist, inspired by Kavalier’s escape from Nazi-occupied Prague. The Bartlett Sher-helmed production features costumes by Jennifer Moeller, sound by Rick Jacobson, choreography by Mandy Moore, and sets, lighting, and video design by 59 Studio.
New York City Ballet’s production of Tchaikovsky’s The Sleeping Beauty enters its second week of performances, running through February 22 at the David H. Koch Theatre. The full-length fairy-tale ballet is performed in the staging by Peter Martins, after Marius Petipa, with the Garland Dance choreographed by George Balanchine. Tchaikovsky’s score for the ballet is perhaps most widely known for being adapted for the score of the 1959 Disney animated feature of the same name. Martins’ staging is one of the most elaborate productions in New York City Ballet’s repertory, calling for over 100 dancers.
Mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato and string trio Time for Three will give the New York premiere of Kevin Puts’ Emily — No Prisoner Be at Carnegie Hall February 19. The Carnegie Hall co-commission is a semi-staged song cycle based on the poetry of Emily Dickinson. The performance reunites DiDonato with the Pulitzer-winning composer, having previously starred in the world premiere production of Puts’ opera The Hours at the Metropolitan Opera in 2022.
Violinist Leonidas Kavakos will join the New York Philharmonic at Lincoln Center’s David Geffen Hall February 18-20 to perform Béla Bartók‘s Violin Concerto No. 2. Conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali will lead the program, which also features Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances, and the New York premiere of Daniel Nelson‘s Steampunk Blizzard.
Pianist Marc-André Hamelin will give a recital at the 92nd Street Y February 17, featuring works by Haydn, Medtner, Rachmaninoff, Stefan Wolpe, John Oswald, and Frank Zappa.
The Trinity Irish Dance Company comes to the Joyce Theater for seven performances February 17-22. The Chicago-based Irish-American dance company will perform ten works celebrating the tradition of Irish dance combined with “ever-evolving American innovation.” The program will include the world premiere of SÉseacht, created by Michelle Dorrance in collaboration with the dancers; as well as the New York premiere of The Sash, choreographed by Mark Howard, Chelsea Hoy, and Stephanie Martinez.
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