Igor Stravinsky News

The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors has announced the appointment of Peter H. Gistelinck as its new Executive Director, effective May 19, 2014. Mr. Gistelinck was unanimously approved by the KSO Board following a six-month nationwide candidate search process led by Arts Consulting Group, Inc.

Celebrity Series of Boston will present the Maria Schneider Orchestra on Saturday, April 26, 2014 at 8pm at Berklee Performance Center, 136 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA. Sponsored by Donna and Mike Egan.

Violinist PHILIPPE QUINT joins Music Director LARRY RACHLEFF and the RHODE ISLAND PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA for STRAVINSKY'S VIOLIN CONCERTO today, March 22.

It's been a long, drowsy winter--though if you're a dance buff, the American Repertory Ballet has put together the perfect showcase to jolt you out of hibernation. Starting with the magnificent melodrama Firebird, and following up with the warm-season works Afternoon of a Faun and Rite of Spring, the troupe took the stage at Princeton's McCarter Theatre just this past week. The program was a celebration of dance both new and old--the world premiere of Douglas Martin's Firebird choreography, no less--a revisitation of the balletic past that was taut, nimble, and modern in about the right measure.

No amount of locally heavy rains across North Texas Saturday evening could dampen the spirits of excited patrons and participants as The Dallas Opera Guild presented an impressive array of highly talented young artists competing for top prizes in the Finals Round of the 26th Annual 'Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition.' This on-stage showcase for young opera singers with Texas connections is conducted annually in the acoustically acclaimed setting of the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center.

Celebrity Series of Boston will present a duet performance of poetry and jazz by the Vijay Iyer Trio and former U.S. Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky in POEMJAZZ tonight, March 14, 2014, at 8:00pm at Sanders Theatre, Memorial Hall, Harvard University, 45 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA. Sponsored by Amy and Joshua Boger.

For DIRECTOR'S CHOICE, the fourth program of Pacific Northwest Ballet's 2013-2014 season, Artistic Director Peter Boal selects from his roster of acquisitions and increases them by one: The captivating mixed-bill program will feature a much-anticipated world premiere by Alejandro Cerrudo, resident choreographer of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. The program also reprises audience favorites TAKE FIVE...More or Less, Broadway-darling Susan Stroman's sunny slice of jazz-infused Dave Brubeck fun; and Susan Marshall's distinctive aerial duet, Kiss. Rounding out the lineup is Molissa Fenley's State of Darkness, a tour-de-force solo performance set to Stravinsky's riot-inducing The Rite of Spring. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE runs for seven performances only, today, March 14 through 23 at Seattle Center's Marion Oliver McCaw Hall.

For DIRECTOR'S CHOICE, the fourth program of Pacific Northwest Ballet's 2013-2014 season, Artistic Director Peter Boal selects from his roster of acquisitions and increases them by one: The captivating mixed-bill program will feature a much-anticipated world premiere by Alejandro Cerrudo, resident choreographer of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. The program also reprises audience favorites TAKE FIVE...More or Less, Broadway-darling Susan Stroman's sunny slice of jazz-infused Dave Brubeck fun; and Susan Marshall's distinctive aerial duet, Kiss. Rounding out the lineup is Molissa Fenley's State of Darkness, a tour-de-force solo performance set to Stravinsky's riot-inducing The Rite of Spring. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE runs for seven performances only, today, March 14-23, 2014 at Seattle Center's Marion Oliver McCaw Hall.

The Tokyo Philharmonic has the longest history and tradition of any orchestra in Japan. As plans were being made for its 100th anniversary celebrations in 2011, a devastating earthquake and tsunami struck Japan. The orchestra's centenary plans were scuttled, as an entire culture adjusted to a solemn new reality.

Celebrity Series of Boston will present the eclectic Brazilian sounds of The Assad Family on Saturday, April 5, 2014 at 8:00pm at New England Conservatory's Jordan Hall, 30 Gainsborough Street, Boston, MA. Sponsored by The D.L. Saunders Real Estate Corporation and The Boston Park Plaza Hotel LLC.

Celebrity Series of Boston will present jazz ensemble The Spring Quartet tonight, March 6, 2014, at 8:00pm at Sanders Theatre, Memorial Hall, Harvard University, 45 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA. This performance is sponsored by Amy and Joshua Boger and Tufts Health Plan.

Houston Grand Opera's highly anticipated production of Stephen Sondheim's A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC opens this week in the Cullen Theater at the Wortham Theater Center. In addition to Stephen Sondheim's celebrated and lush score, this production proudly features sets, costumes, and original direction by popular American fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi. I recently spoke with HGO alumna Chad Shelton, who is playing Fredrik Egerman, about the production and his career.

The Ohio State Wind Symphony, Chorale and Symphonic Choir will perform Igor Stravinsky's 'Symphony of Psalms' Tuesday, March 25 at 8 p.m. in Weigel Hall Auditorium, 1866 College Rd.

Philadelphia, PA

The Tokyo Philharmonic has the longest history and tradition of any orchestra in Japan. As plans were being made for its 100th anniversary celebrations in 2011, a devastating earthquake and tsunami struck Japan. The orchestra's centenary plans were scuttled, as an entire culture adjusted to a solemn new reality.

East Providence, RI ? Violinist PHILIPPE QUINT joins Music Director LARRY RACHLEFF and the RHODE ISLAND PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA for STRAVINSKY'S VIOLIN CONCERTO on Saturday March 22. The orchestra will also perform TCHAIKOVSKY'S SIXTH SYMPHONY, the passionate Pathétique. The rarely-heard suite from Udow's virtuoso percussion piece The Shattered Mirror (1999) begins the program. The concert takes place Saturday March 22 at 8:00pm at The Vets in Providence. The concert and Mr. Quint's appearance are sponsored by Robert and Lynn Manning. Mr. Quint's appearance is also sponsored by Barbara Dreyer. WPRO News Talk 630 is the media sponsor. Tickets (starting at $15) are available at riphil.org/tickets, by phone at 401.248.7000, and in person at the RIPO box office, 667 Waterman Ave., East Providence.

The 2014-2015 Season marks a milestone for Oregon Ballet Theatre as it celebrates a quarter century of entertaining, exciting, and inspiring audiences in Portland and around the world. The 25th Anniversary season will also be the first programmed solely by Artistic Director Kevin Irving, who joined OBT in July 2013. Irving fills the season with nods to an impressive past while offering a clear vision of the company's bright future.

For DIRECTOR'S CHOICE, the fourth program of Pacific Northwest Ballet's 2013-2014 season, Artistic Director Peter Boal selects from his roster of acquisitions and increases them by one: The captivating mixed-bill program will feature a much-anticipated world premiere by Alejandro Cerrudo, resident choreographer of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. The program also reprises audience favorites TAKE FIVE…More or Less, Broadway-darling Susan Stroman's sunny slice of jazz-infused Dave Brubeck fun; and Susan Marshall's distinctive aerial duet, Kiss. Rounding out the lineup is Molissa Fenley's State of Darkness, a tour-de-force solo performance set to Stravinsky's riot-inducing The Rite of Spring. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE runs for seven performances only, March 14 through 23 at Seattle Center's Marion Oliver McCaw Hall. Tickets start at just $28 and may be purchased by calling the PNB Box Office at 206.441.2424, online at PNB.org, or in person at the PNB Box Office, 301 Mercer Street.

Tony Award-nominee Stephanie D'Abruzzo (Avenue Q), Drama Desk-nominees Chip Zien (Into the Woods, Falsettos) & Karen Mason (Sunset Boulevard, Mamma Mia!), Sebastian Arcelus (Elf, A Time to Kill), Nightlife Award-Winner Mark Nadler, Jillian Louis, Danny Gardner and the Broadway by the Year Chorus have been added to Town Hall's 14th season opener of its Broadway by the Year Series on Monday, February 24 at 8pm, THE BROADWAY MUSICALS OF 1915-1939. They join previously announced Tony Award-winners Tonya Pinkins and Beth Leavel, Tony Award-nominees Carolee Carmello, Stephanie J. Block, Karen Akers and Emily Skinner, Drama Desk Award-nominee Julia Murney, Grammy Award-winners Lari White and John Easterlin, Noah Racey (Curtains), Camille Saviola (Nine), concert and recording artist Howard Fishman and Nightlife Award-winner Carole J. Bufford. Individual tickets ($57 and $47) are on sale at www.TicketMaster.com or by phone at 800-982-2787; series subscriptions ($180-$220) are available at www.TheTownHall.org.