Caramoor Summer Festival 2018

admin Posted OnApril 16, 2018

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Caramoor Summer Festival 2018… 29 nights of classical, opera, chamber music, jazz, American Songbook, American Roots and World Music. Featuring Broadway’s Audra McDonald, The Orchestra of St. Luke’s, Aimee Mann, Dianne Reeves, mezzo-soprano Susan Graham, Kronos Quartet, Angelique Kidjo, Chanticleer, Appollo’s Fire and The Verona Quartet.

Audara Mcdonald, Caramoor Venetian Theater – Sat, 6/16: 8:30pm: Audra McDonald, record-breaking winner of six Tony Awards, returns to Caramoor for the opening night of the Caramoor Summer Festival. Celebrate the American Songbook as brought to life by the inspiring force of a Broadway legend and Caramoor’s exceptional orchestra-in-residence, Orchestra of St. Luke’s. (149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah; www.caramoor.org)

The Knights Family Concert, Caramoor Venetian Theater – Sun, 6/17: 1pm: The Knights perform selections from the 4pm performance in this hour-long family-friendly concert designed for younger audiences. The Knights and steel pan virtuoso Andy Akiho interact with the audience to inspire curiosity, encourage musical discoveries, and — of course — have fun. (149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah; www.caramoor.org)

The Knights, Caramoor Venetian Theater – Sun, 6/17: 4pm: Grammy-nominated orchestral collective, The Knights return to Caramoor with a program that features steel pan percussionist and composer Andy Akiho performing his Fantasy for Steel Pans and Orchestra; Judd Greenstein’s Flute Concerto written for The Knights’ flutist Alex Sopp; works by the French masters Ravel and Fauré, and a selection of dances from Leonard Bernstein’s On the Town. (149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah; www.caramoor.org)

Verona Quartet, Caramoor Venetian Theater – Thurs, 6/21: 7pm: The Verona Quartet, who have been hailed by The New York Times, returns for their final performance as Caramoor’s Ernst Stiefel String Quartet-in-Residence. The program includes the World Premiere of a Caramoor commissioned piece by Julia Adolphe, whose work has recently been performed by the New York Philharmonic. (149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah; www.caramoor.org)

Sō Percussion, Caramoor Venetian Theater – Fri, 6/22: 8pm: A quartet of Brooklyn percussionists with a passion for new music, Sō Percussion makes their Caramoor debut with pieces ranging from 20th-century “classics”, (Steve Reich’s Mallett Quartet, John Cage’s Third Construction) to contemporary works including the World Premiere of Vijay Ayer’s Mallet Quartet. (149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah; www.caramoor.org)

American Roots Festival, Aimee Mann & Valerie June – Caramoor Venetian Theatre/Friends Field – Sat, 6/23: 12-10pm: Aimee Mann, named one of the top-10 living songwriters by NPR Music, headlines Caramoor’s American Roots Festival evening show with Valerie June, whose blend of Appalachian gospel, and blues has made her a rising Americana star. Beginning at noon a dozen artists perform folk, country, bluegrass, gospel, blues, Old Time and folk fusion on multiple stages. (149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah; www.caramoor.org)

Apollo’s Fire, Caramoor Venetian Theatre – Sun, 6/24: 4pm: Hailed as “first rate” by The New York Times and as “one of the pre-eminent period-instrument ensembles” by The Independent, London, Apollo’s Fire was founded by award-winning harpsichordist Jeannette Sorrell. They have released 25 CDs, and will make their Carnegie Hall debut in 2018. Here they perform Handel, Bach, and Vivaldi, featuring selections from Handel’s Water Music and Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 5. (149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah; www.caramoor.org)

Dancing at Dusk: From Bhangra to Bollywood, Caramoor Friends Field – Wed, 6/27: 5pm: Dancing at Dusk celebrates music and dance from around the world for children of all ages to explore with their families. Here Reena Shah leads the instruction of regional dances from India, accompanied by Dhol, Indian Flutes, and more! Move to the intricate rhythms of Indian music, learn the celebratory dances. (149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah; www.caramoor.org)

Isabel Leonard (mezzo-soprano), Sharon Isbin (guitar), Caramoor Spanish Courtyard – Thurs, 6/28: 7pm: Metropolitan Opera star Isabel Leonard and classical guitarist Sharon Isbin perform the works of Spanish composers in the perfectly-suited setting of the enchanting Spanish Courtyard of the historic Rosen House. Featuring works by Enrique Granados, Manuel de Falla, Xavier Montsalvatge, Federico García Lorca. (149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah; www.caramoor.org)

Kronos Quartet, Caramoor Spanish Garden – Fri, 6/29: 8pm: Kronos Quartet burst onto the music scene in 1986 with their classical interpretation of Jimi Hendrix’s Purple Haze. Since then they have won over 40 awards for their performances of 900 eclectic works from 20th-century masters, contemporary composers, jazz legends, rock artists, and genre-defying creators. Here their program features works by Steve Reich, Charles Mingus, George Gershwin, Laurie Anderson and The Everly Brothers. (149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah; www.caramoor.org)

Orchestra of St. Lukes, Ludovic Morlot (conductor) Benjamin Beilman (violin), Caramoor Venetian Theatre – Sat, 6/30: 8pm: Ludovic Morlot (Seattle Symphony) leads Caramoor’s house band in a program featuring the New York Premiere of Matthew Aucoin’s Evidence, (lauded by The LA Times) Tchaikovsky’s Romeo & Juliet Fantasy Overture; Smetana’s Dance of the Comedians. Caramoor Evnin Rising Star alum, Benjamin Beilman solos on Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto. (149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah; www.caramoor.org)

FREE Family Concert of “New Music”: Inuksuit by John Luther Adams, Caramoor Grounds – Sun, 7/1: 4pm: The New York Times called John Luther Adams’ epic outdoor piece Inuksuit, “the ultimate environmental piece.” Here Doug Perkins directs over 60 percussionists, dispersed across Caramoor’s gardens and fields, playing conch shells, sirens, gongs, bells, drums, cymbals, and glockenspiels. “One of the most rapturous experiences of my listening life” — Alex Ross, The New Yorker. (149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah; www.caramoor.org)

Pops, Patriots & Fireworks, Caramoor Venetian Theatre – Wed, 7/4: 8pm: Celebrate July 4th the Caramoor way as the Westchester Symphonic Winds and two stellar alumni from Caramoor’s Schwab Vocal Rising Stars perform America The Beautiful, Stars & Stripes Forever, Leonard Bernstein’s Candide Overture, selections from West Side Story, The Music Man and, of course, Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture followed by fireworks. One of our favorite events of the year. (149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah; www.caramoor.org)

Jasper String Quartet, Caramoor Spanish Garden – Fri, 7/6: 8pm: Hailed by The Strad as “sonically delightful” and “powerful” by The New York Times, the Jasper String Quartet bring their passion for performing significant pieces to Caramoor. Presenting two contemporary pieces alongside classic works from Beethoven and Mendelssohn, the Jasper String Quartet is an alumni quartet of Caramoor’s Ernst Stiefel String Quartet-in-Residence program. (149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah; www.caramoor.org)

I’m With Her, American Roots, Caramoor Spanish Garden – Sat, 7/7: 8pm: Americana darlings, singer/songwriters Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz and Aoife O’Donovan combined talents to record the album See You Around under the moniker I’m With Her in February. Here they take their “Americana supergroup” on the road with fiddle, mandolin and guitar. In reviewing their album, The New York Times wrote, “The harmonies couldn’t have been purer, or the picking more precise.” (149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah; www.caramoor.org)

Marc-Andre Hamelin (piano), Caramoor Venetian Theatre – Sun, 7/8: 4pm: Marc-André Hamelin is an accomplished and unrivaled virtuoso. Here he performs one of Schumann’s greatest works for solo piano. In “Schubert’s Piano Sonata in B-flat … Hamelin’s virtuoso piano technique was fully harnessed in the service of Schubert’s unvirtuosic music, allowing soft playing to make a more penetrating impression than usual” (David Patrick Stearns, The Philadelphia Inquirer). (149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah; www.caramoor.org)

Michael Brown (piano), Caramoor Spanish Courtyard – Thurs, 7/12: 7pm: Recently named an Emerging Artist of 2018 by Lincoln Center, Michael Brown is “a young piano visionary” (The New York Times) and an exceptional composer as well. Here he celebrates Leonard Bernstein’s centennial with his own composition 100 Chords for Bernstein alongside selections from West Side Story. Also on the program are pieces by Haydn, Medtner, and Copland. (149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah; www.caramoor.org)

Mozart’s The Secret Gardener (opera), Caramoor Sunken Garden – Fri, 7/13: 7pm: Written by an 18-year-old Mozart, The Secret Gardener is a story of love, madness, and redemption that unfolds in the lush grounds of a beautiful garden. Disguises and mistaken identities abound in Mozart’s charming tale of a triple love triangle! Enjoy a summer evening outdoors with this lighthearted comic opera, performed in English. Seating is limited so be sure to book well in advance! (149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah; www.caramoor.org)

Family Concert, Bridge to Broadway, Caramoor Spanish Courtyard, Sat, 7/14: 11am: Host Katie Kresek, soprano Natalie Bergeron, baritone Steven Herring and pianist Beata Moon explore the evolution of musical story-telling with colorful characters and musical games. The program surveys music from the Classical and Romantic periods through Tin Pan Alley and Broadway musicals, with music from Schubert, Verdi, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Leonard Bernstein, and more! (149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah; www.caramoor.org)

Bernstein’s Broadway, Caramoor Venitian Theatre – Sat, 7/14: 8pm: Broadway stars Mikaela Bennett (The Golden Apple), Alysha Umphress (On the Town), Bryce Pinkham (A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder), and Ben Davis (Violet) celebrate Leonard Bernstein’s 100th birthday! Tony Award winner Ted Sperling hosts this evening of songs from West Side Story, Candide, Wonderful Town, Peter Pan, On the Town and more. (149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah; www.caramoor.org)

2nd Annual Chamber Fest, Caramoor Venetian Theatre, Sun, 7/15: 4pm: Caramoor’s Chamber Fest, features a host of Caramoor familiars performing a program of Mozart, Bartok and Dvorak. Come to the Caramoor grounds by 2:00pm to hear performances by the National Youth Orchestra of the USA and NYO2, two incredible programs built to select and sustain talented and diverse musicians for the future (Free). (149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah; www.caramoor.org)

Dancing at Dusk, Hammerstep with musical guest Deorro, Caramoor Friends Field – Wed, 7/18: 5pm: With an innovative mix of dance forms including Irish step, tap, hip hop, break dance, African stepping, and even martial arts, Hammerstep, accompanied by special musical guest Deorro, exposes kids and their families to the exciting new possibilities that come from reimagining traditional forms of creative movement. (149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah; www.caramoor.org)

Derek Gripper (guitar), Caramoor Sunken Garden – Thurs, 7/19: 7pm: Derek Gripper, a South African guitarist was hailed by London’s Evening Standard as “opening a whole new repertoire of classical guitar music.” The program, includes his captivating transcriptions of works written for the 21-string kora (harp lute) by African composers Toumani Diabaté, Ballaké Sissoko, and Madosini — alongside Brazilian Egberto Gismonti and J.S. Bach — transcends time, place, and culture. (149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah; www.caramoor.org)

Brentano Quartet with Todd Palmer (clarinet) Caramoor Spanish Courtyard – Fri, 7/20: 8pm: The Brentano Quartet returns to Caramoor with three-time Grammy-nominated clarinettist Todd Palmer. Their program includes transcriptions of madrigals by Gesualdo, Beethoven’s magnificent Quartet Opus 18, No 4 and the Brahms Clarinet Quintet, one of the greatest chamber masterpieces ever composed. “The Brentanos are a magnificent string quartet … ” (The Times, London). (149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah; www.caramoor.org)

Jazz Festival, Diane Reeves, Caramoor Venetian Garden & multiple locations – Sat, 7/21: All Day: A full day of jazz, curated by Jazz at Lincoln Center. Five-time Grammy-winner Diane Reeves headlines at the evening performance. Nine acts perform at multiple locations during the day including Patrick Bartley’s salute to Cannonball Adderley and Shenel Johns and Vuyo Sotashe who perform the music of Miriam Makeba and Nina Simone. (149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah; www.caramoor.org)

Handel’s Atalanta (opera) Caramoor Venetian Theatre – Sun, 7/22: 4pm: Handel’s Atalanta is a tale of hidden love and disguise, complete with vocal fireworks. Long dormant since its 1736 premiere, Atalanta’s lively overtures, festive melodies, and favored arioso, “Care selve,” were revived in 1970. Nicholas McGegan, whose expertise in this repertoire covers a dozen Handel oratorios and close to twenty of his operas, conducts America’s leading period-instrument ensemble, for its Caramoor debut. (149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah; www.caramoor.org)

Dancing at Dusk, Grupo Ribiero, Caramoor Friends Field – Wed, 7/25: 5pm: This high-energy dance and musical group celebrates the music and dance of Rio de Janeiro! Featuring traditional dances from the Samba to the Capoeira and Maculele, Grupo Ribeiro will educate, entertain, and inspire with dance instruction accompanied by Afro Brazilian folkloric music. Children are invited to meet the artists after the performance. (149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah; www.caramoor.org)

Chanticleer, Caramoor Spanish Courtyard – Thurs, 7/26: 7pm: Three-time Grammy-winning vocal group, Chanticleer celebrates their 40th Anniversary performing works by Palestrina, Lassus, Gibbons, Byrd, Steven Stucky, Chen Yi, Matthew Aucoin, Ellington, Rodgers & Hart, Berlin, and other classics from their extensive and varied repertoire. Hear why The New Yorker calls them “the world’s reigning male chorus.” (149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah; www.caramoor.org)

Joey Alexander Trio, Carmoor Spanish Courtyard – Fri, 7/27: 8pm: Returning after his Caramoor debut at the 2015 Jazz Festival, Joey Alexander brings an original swing and improvisational style that is unmatched at his age, along with an artistic maturity well beyond his years. He is the youngest jazz artist to ever be nominated for a Grammy (twice), and as a rising international star, his performance at Caramoor is not to be missed. (149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah; www.caramoor.org)

Angelique Kiddo, Caramoor Venetian Theatre –Sat, 7/28: 8pm: Time magazine called her “Africa’s premier diva.” Beninese singer, songwriter and Grammy-award winner Angélique Kidjo has a “canyon-filling voice” (Billboard) and an energy that will inspire you to get up and dance! “The power of Kidjo’s unflappable voice, the stellar, genre-bending musicians who back her and the infectious, activist energy that courses through her songs all transcend any native tongue” (NPR Music). (149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah; www.caramoor.org)

Orchestra of St. Luke’s, Susan Graham (mezzo-soprano), Caramoor Venetian Theatre – Sun, 7/29: 4pm: Caramoor’s 2018 Summer Season comes to a close with Orchestra of St. Luke’s led by Principal Conductor Bernard Labadie and the inimitable mezzo-soprano Susan Graham. Performing selections from the roles that brought her renown, the first half of the program feature selections from Handel’s Ariodante and Alcinia followed by Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro and La Clemenza di Tito. (149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah; www.caramoor.org)