Intown’s Classical Music Critic, the Hon. Philip Berquist Honorary Consul of the Republic of Croatia for Texas
Classical Music Update Houston’s Classical Music Previews for 2021-2022
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ell, it is Summer and things at least appear to be getting back to whatever we can each recall as “normal.” This is the time of year when our arts organizations announce their schedules for the upcoming classical music season of 2021-2022. While COVID-19 restrictions are still being thought through, our major music companies have given INTOWN Magazine their performance schedules, some complete, some still waiting for C-19 guidance. In this issue, we feature the seasons of the Houston Symphony Orchestra and Houston Grand Opera. Houston Symphony Orchestra The following are my personal choices to highlight in this article. This season is the last for Andrés Orozco-Estrada as Music Director and he returns for several performances. • September 11, 2021 Acclaimed opera superstar, Renee Fleming, appears on opening night singing famous opera arias with the orchestra. • September 17, 18, and 19, 2021 Orozco-Estrada conducts the Beethoven 5th Symphony as well as the Beethoven Triple Concerto. Featured soloists are Yooshin Song, violin, Britton Averil Smith, cello, and Yefim Bronfman, piano. • October 29, 30 and 31, 2021 Jader Bignamini conducts Berlioz’s “Symphonie fantastique.” • November 19, 20 and 21, 2021 Another superstar, pianist Hèléne Grimaud, performs the Ravel Piano Concerto in G. • January 21, 22 and 23, 2022 Former Music Director, Christoph Eschenbach leads the orchestra in a work to be announced. These should not be missed! 12 | HEIGHTS | July + August 2021
Orozco-Estrada
Renee Fleming
• March 11, 12 and 13, 2022 The wonderful Rachmanioff Symphony No. 2 is conducted by Lionel Bringuier. Houston Grand Opera My goodness, what a season! Back at the Wortham Center’s Brown Theater, HGO has scheduled a truly stunning group of operas. The Fall Repertory begins with Bizet’s Carmen. There will be eight performances of this popular classic running from October 22 through November 7.
This is a revival co-production with the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Sung in French with projected English text. Next is a world premiere of The Snowy Day by Joel Thompson with lyrics by Andrea Davis Pinckney. This one-hour production will be presented nine times from December 9 through December 19. Sung in English with projected English text. For updates and a full calendar go to www.houstonintown.com Let me hear from you! - write me at classicalmusicberquist@gmail.com.
‘Carmen’
