Countertenor David Daniels Performs At Harris Theater 3/29

The Harris Theater for Music and Dance continues Harris Theater 5.0, its Fifth Anniversary Season, and concludes its inaugural Harris Theater Presents 2008-2009 series with a special engagement featuring legendary countertenor David Daniels with The English Concert, directed by Harry Bicket, Sunday, March 29, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. Tickets for this performance, which range from $30-$110, are on-sale now and available at the Harris Theater box office located in Millennium Park at 205 E. Randolph Dr., by calling 312-334-7777 or by visiting www.harristheaterchicago.org.

Among the finest - and most recorded - chamber orchestras in the world, The English Concert, under the direction of Artistic Director Harry Bicket, will perform an inspiring concert with the world's most renowned countertenor David Daniels. The magnetic Daniels is well known to Chicago audiences for his acclaimed performance and critical success in the role of Giulio Cesare at the Lyric Opera in 2007. This special engagement at the Harris marks Daniels' only Chicago appearance this season. Harry Bicket is widely known for his interpretations of classical and baroque works and is a frequent guest conductor at the Metropolitan Opera. Though frequent collaborators, this will be the first time Chicago audiences will be treated to the pair in concert. Drawing on a newly released recording of the music of Bach from The English Concert and David Daniels, the ensemble will present renditions of works by Bach and Handel in what promises to be a highlight of the spring music season.

Known for his superlative artistry, magnetic stage presence and a voice of singular warmth and surpassing beauty, David Daniels has appeared with the world's major opera companies and on its main concert and recital stages. He made history as the first countertenor to give a solo recital in the main auditorium of Carnegie Hall and Gramophone magazine recently acknowledged his contribution to recorded excellence as well as his expansion of the repertoire for his voice type by naming him one of the "Top Ten Trailblazers" in classical music today.

The 2008-2009 season takes David Daniels to many of Europe's musical capitals. He makes his debut at the Teatro alla Scala as Oberon in Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream conducted by Sir Andrew Davis. He sings Arsace in a new Pierre Audi production of Handel's Partenope at Vienna's innovative Theater an der Wien conducted by Christophe Rousset. He also returns to the Bayerische Staatsoper in the title role of Handel's Tamerlano. He tours both Europe and America with frequent collaborator Harry Bicket and the English Concert including performances in London, Toulouse, Vienna, Munich, Vancouver, San Francisco, Chicago, Los Angeles (Disney Hall) and Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall. This tour coincides with the release of his latest disc on Virgin/EMI of the music of Bach with the English Concert.

Highlights of recent seasons include David Daniels' role in a new production of Handel's Tamerlano at the Bayerische Staatsoper and another new production of this opera in his debut with Washington National Opera, the latter opposite Placido Domingo. He made his Santa Fe Opera and role debut in a new production of Radamisto with frequent colleagues Harry Bicket and David Alden. He also appeared in recital with pianist Martin Katz in Santa Barbara, CA, at Cal Performances Berkeley, at the University of Richmond, with the Celebrity Series of Boston, at Spivey Hall and Carnegie Hall's Zankel Hall.

Highlights of recent seasons include David Daniels reprising his portrayal of Bertarido in Handel's Rodelinda at the San Francisco Opera, which won critical acclaim and thrilled audiences at the Metropolitan Opera, his role debut as Orfeo in the Lyric Opera of Chicago's Robert Carsen production and his first performances in the title role of Handel's Orlando at the Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich. Mr. Daniels also toured Europe with the Basel Chamber Orchestra and mezzo-soprano Magdalena Ko?ená, and made his Philadelphia Orchestra debut under conductor Bernard Labadie. Also in Europe, Daniels performed works by Bach and Vivaldi with Fabio Biondi, sang Oberon in Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream at Barcelona's Teatre del Liceu (available on DVD), and played Farnace in Mozart's Mitridate at the Royal Opera, Covent Garden.

Honored by the music world for his unique achievements, David Daniels has been the recipient of two of classical music's most significant awards: Musical America's Vocalist of the Year for 1999 and the 1997 Richard Tucker Award.

Internationally renowned as an opera and concert conductor of great distinction, Harry Bicket is especially noted for his interpretation of the Baroque and Classical repertoire. In September 2007 Bicket took up the position of Artistic Director of The English Concert, one of the UK's finest period orchestras. Born in Liverpool, he studied at the Royal College of Music and Oxford University and is also an accomplished harpsichordist.

Harry Bicket made his Glyndebourne Festival debut in 1996 with Peter Sellars' landmark production of Theodora and returned in 1999 and 2003. In 2004 he began his relationship with the Metropolitan Opera with a triumphant debut conducting a new production of Rodelinda with Renée Fleming and David Daniels, and was immediately re-engaged for Cesare in 2006/7 and Clemenza di Tito in May 2008. He made his debut with the Bayerische Staatsoper in 2000 (Rinaldo, new production) and returned every year until to 2007. In 2001 his first Barcelona production, Giulio Cesare, earned him the Opera Critics Prize for best conductor. He has since returned for Midsummer Night's Dream (2005) and Ariodante (2006). 2003 saw debuts with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, conducting Partenope, and with the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden conducting Handel's Orlando, which received an Olivier Award nomination for Best New Opera Production. Plans for 2008/9 and beyond include his returns to Rotterdam Philharmonic (St. Matthew Passion) and Los Angeles Philharmonic, concerts, recordings and extensive touring with The English Concert as well as productions for the Liceu Barcelona (Poppea, L'Arbore di Diana), Bordeaux Opera (Alcina), Theater an der Wien (Mitridate, Iphigenie en Tauride), Atlanta Opera (Orfeo), Canadian Opera Company (Idomeneo), Lyric Opera (Hercules, Rinaldo), and Metropolitan Opera (Rodelinda).

The English Concert is among the finest - and most recorded - chamber orchestras in the world, with an outstanding reputation for inspiring performances of Baroque and Classical music in the concert hall and on CD.

In addition to extensive touring, it presents a prestigious series of concerts in London each season, at Wigmore Hall and Cadogan Hall, appearing also at London festivals, including the BBC Proms and the Lufthansa Festival of Baroque Music. Internationally The English Concert performs on four continents. Since 2005 it has toured the United States, Australia, Korea and Malaysia, in addition to ten European countries, and since its foundation by Trevor Pinnock in 1973 has appeared at the world's most famous stages, including the Concertgebouw Amsterdam, the Musikverein Vienna, the Théâtre des Champs Elysées in Paris, the Philharmonie Berlin, the Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center New York, and the Grosse Festspielhaus Salzburg.

The English Concert has made more than 100 recordings for Deutsche Grammophon Archiv Produktion, including many award winners, and a series of critically acclaimed CDs for Harmonia Mundi USA with violinist Andrew Manze, who succeeded Trevor Pinnock as Artistic Director in 2003.

Complete program information for David Daniels and The English Concert at the Harris Theater is as follows:

J.S. Bach Orchestral Suite no.1 in C

"Vergnűgte Ruh" from Cantata no. 170

"Qui sedes" from Mass in B minor

Sinfonia from Cantata 42 Am "Abend aber desselbigen Sabbats"

"Schlummert ein" from Cantata no. 82 'Ich habe genug'

"Erbarme dich" from St. Matthew Passion Interval

 

G. F. Handel Concerto Grosso in A op.6 no.11

"Ombra cara" from Radamisto

"Furibondo" from Partenope

Passacaglia from Act 2 of Radamisto

Mad scene from Orlando

In celebration of The English Concert engagement, Harris Theater restaurant partner The Gage, 24 South Michigan Avenue, will feature a special Fare & Hops tasting at the restaurant on Sunday, March 29 following the performance. The four course menu will feature offerings inspired by our neighbors across the pond and paired with beers that compliment the flavors of the dishes. The Fare & Hops menu will cost $80 (including tax and gratuity); see below for the complete menu and call 312.372.4243 for additional information and reservations.

The English Concert Dinner at The Gage
Fare & Hops Tasting

Chef's Seasonal Amuse & Welcome Brew
Goose Island Matilda - made with a rare yeast that suggests a fruity & spicy flavor

First Course
Mussels Steeped in Maudite with Basil , Garlic, Shallot and Apple
Unibroue Maudite - robust maltiness & spiciness, with an assertive hop finish

Second Course
Salad of Duck Sausage Frisee, Smoked Almonds, Radish and Pickle Vinaigrette
Ayinger Jahrhundert - malty beer that pronounces the precious earthy quality of
malted barley

Third Course
Roasted Massachusetts Striped Bass, Tuscan Kale, Trumpet Mushroom, Rutabaga and Oyster Fume
Houblan Chouffe (triple IPA)- a harmonious balance between bitterness and a pleasant fruitiness

Fourth Course
Dark Chocolate Torte, Raspberry, Porter Gelee, Hibiscus Cream
Dark Horse Raspberry Ale - brewed with actual fresh raspberries for a mild fruit flavor

All programs, prices and dates are subject to change
Celebrating its Fifth Anniversary during its 2008-2009 season, the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park continues to host the most diverse offerings of any venue in Chicago, featuring the city's most acclaimed music and dance institutions as well as world-renowned national and international companies through its Harris Theater Presents series. The Theater serves as a national model of unique collaboration between the philanthropic community and performing arts organizations. Offering more than a state-of-the-art facility, the non-profit Theater's mission is to partner and collaborate with an array of Chicago's emerging and mid-sized performing arts organizations by providing subsidized rental, technical expertise and marketing support, thus allowing the resident companies to focus on what they do best - bringing the finest music and dance to the public. To learn more about Harris Theater's Fifth Anniversary season, or to purchase tickets to any of the performances, visit www.harristheaterchicago.org, call 312-334-7777 or visit Harris Theater Ticket Services at 205 E. Randolph Dr. Chicago, IL 60601.

For additional information about the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, Chicago's state-of-the art 1,470 seat performance venue, please visit www.harristheaterchicago.org.

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