Valley Performing Arts Center Announces 2012-2013 Season, will Include Voigt, Mutter, Feinstein, Neuwirth

The Valley Performing Arts Center at California State University, Northridge unveiled its 2012-13 season today, highlighted by a diverse array of renowned international orchestras, innovative dance companies, emerging artists and legendary Broadway icons. The Valley Performing Arts Center's 2012-13 season, featuring more than 30 performances, kicks off on Sept. 13, with the Asphalt Orchestra, and runs through May 19, with opera soprano Deborah Voigt.  

"We have scanned the globe to bring the best in the performing arts to the stage of the Valley Performing Arts Center," noted Wm. Robert Bucker, executive director of the Valley Performing Arts Center and dean of the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication at Cal State Northridge. "Presenting artists from five continents-including several L.A. debuts-the second full season roster will inspire and delight returning audiences and help build new audiences for the center, which is fast becoming one of the cultural gems of the city, admired for its intimacy and acoustical versatility."  

The center's "Premier" programs include Kris Kristofferson with Merle Haggard, Sept. 22; The Romeros with Concerto Málaga, Dec. 5; Branford Marsalis, Feb. 2; The Pipes and Drums of the Black Watch 3^rd Battalion the Royal Regiments of Scotland and the Band of the Scots Guards, March 1; Anne-Sophie Mutter on violin, March 6; and opera soprano Deborah Voigt on May 19.

The "Classical Series" features the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra with Antoni Wit conducting, Yulianna Avdeeva on piano, Nov. 8; the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Jan. 26; the BBC Concert Orchestra, with Keith Lockhart directing, Feb. 14; the China National Symphony Orchestra on March 8; and concert violinist Vadim Repin in a solo recital on April 5.

"Jazz & World Music" brings together Grammy winner Chick Corea and Gary Burton with the Harlem String Quartet on Oct. 6. "Spirituals to Funk," featuring Dr. John and and The Lower 9-11 with the Blind Boys of Alabama, hits the stage Oct. 11. Latin legend Paco Peña is set for Feb.16. 

Tenor Paul Appleby will inaugurate the new "Emerging Artist" programs at the Valley Performing Arts Center on Oct. 18. As part of the series, Greek guitarist Miloš will make his Los Angeles debut Feb. 21. 

The "Dance" series presents "Cirque Chinois," performed by the National Circus of the People's Republic of China, Sept. 27, followed by Ballet Folklórico de México on Nov. 2. The Russian National Ballet Theatre performs "Cinderella" on Feb. 10, and New Zealand's Black Grace makes their first Los Angeles appearance March 23. The Mark Morris Dance Group appears on April 27.

"Marquee" events showcase Judy Collins on Dec. 21 and Chef Jacques Pepin on May 4. 

The "Broadway and American Songs" grouping includes Kelli O'Hara, Nathan Gunn and Ted Sperling on Oct. 22; Joan Osborne in "Love and Hate," Nov. 3; Raul Esparza singing "Sondheim," Nov. 17; Bebe Neuwirth in "Stories With Piano," Feb. 23; and Michael Feinstein on May 11.

The "Theatre" series brings The Acting Company's "Of Mice and Men" on Oct. 27 and The Aquila Theatre's presentation of "Cyrano de Bergerac" on March 16, to the intimate 500-seat, newly remodeled Plaza del Sol Performance Hall, also on the California State University, Northridge campus.

Season subscription renewals will be on sale in mid-April and new season subscriptions on May 8 at the Ticket Office at (818) 677-3000, www.ValleyPerformingArtsCenter.org, or through Ticketmaster. Single tickets and group sales for specific performances will be available June 5. For more information, visit www.ValleyPerformingArtsCenter.org.

2012/2013 Season Performances

Asphalt Orchestra Thursday, Sept. 13 

Kris Kristofferson and Merle Haggard Saturday, Sept. 22 

"Cirque Chinois"
The National Circus of the People's Republic of China Thursday, Sept. 27

Chick Corea and Gary Burton
"Hot House Tour"
with Harlem String Quartet Saturday, Oct. 6

Dr. John and The Lower 9-11 
And The Blind Boys of Alabama 
performing "Spirituals to Funk" Thursday, Oct. 11

Paul Appleby, tenor Thursday, Oct. 18

Kelli O'Hara, Nathan Gunn, Ted Sperling
performing "Broadway's Classic Hits" Monday, Oct. 22 

The Acting Company "Of Mice and Men" Saturday, Oct. 27 

Ballet Folklórico de México from Mexico City Friday, Nov. 2

Joan Osborne "Love & Hate" Saturday, Nov. 3 

Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra  
Antoni Wit, Conductor 
Yulianna Avdeeva, piano Thursday, Nov. 8

Raul Esparza sings "Sondheim" Saturday, Nov. 17 

The Romeros, with Concerto Málaga Wednesday, Dec. 5

An Evening with Judy Collins Friday, Dec. 21

Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
Bramwell Tovey, conductor
Jon Kimura Parker, piano Saturday, Jan. 26

An Evening with Branford Marsalis Saturday, Feb. 2

Russian National Ballet Theatre
performing "Cinderella" Sunday, Feb. 10

BBC Concert Orchestra
Keith Lockhart, conductor
Sophie Shao, cellist Thursday, Feb. 14 

Paco Peña, "Flamenco Vivo" Saturday, Feb. 16

Miloš, classical guitar Thursday, Feb. 21-L.A. debut 

Bebe Neuwirth, "Stories with Piano" Saturday, Feb. 23 

The Pipes and Drums of the Black Watch
3^rd Battalion the Royal Regiments of Scotland and
the Band of the Scots Guards Friday, March 1 

Anne-Sophie Mutter, violin Wednesday, March 6

China National Symphony Orchestra
Li Xincao, music director and conductor
En Shao, music director and conductor Friday, March 8 

Aquila Theatre, "Cyrano de Bergerac" Saturday, March 16 

Black Grace Dance Company from New Zealand Saturday, March 23-L.A. debut

Vadim Repin, violin Friday, April 5

Mark Morris Dance Group Saturday, April 27

Jacques Pepin Saturday, May 4

Michael Feinstein in concert Saturday, May 11 

Deborah Voigt, opera soprano Sunday, May 19

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