Western Health Advantage
season of performing arts
ow!
Including
N On Sale
ADDED!
Events
! e m o welc KEY JH Jackson Hall
VST Vanderhoef Studio Theatre
PRE-PERFORMANCE TALK
Free to all ticket holders, these half-hour talks and conversations with UC Davis faculty, local experts and visiting artists provide context for our audiences.
Q&A SESSION
After select Mondavi Center performances, artists return to the stage to take questions from the audience, providing a unique opportunity to share reactions and insights.
CORIN COURTYARD CONCERT
Free pre-show performances in our Corin Courtyard (weather permitting). These outdoor concerts start 90 minutes before performance time and last approximately one hour. Visit: mondaviarts.org/corincourtyard for a complete list.
UNCORKED
Uncorked events feature complimentary wine pours for Inner Circle donors one hour prior to show time and during intermission in the Bartholomew Room. Presented in partnership with the Robert Mondavi Institute for Food and Wine Science. For information on becoming an Inner Circle donor, visit mondaviarts.org/supportus.
VISIONS EVENT
Affordably priced programs from groundbreaking artists presented in the informal setting of the Vanderhoef Studio Theatre. All Visions programs are supported by a generous grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
DIRECTOR’S CHOICE EVENT
Mondavi Center Executive Director Don Roth’s picks. All programs and prices are subject to change. Please note that UC Davis is a smoke- and tobacco-free environment. http://breathefree.ucdavis.edu
!
Now e l a S n O
ADDED! We are pleased to announce the addition of these new performances in 2015.
STEVEN WRIGHT THU, SEP 17
p. 2
SHARON JONES & THE DAP-KINGS FRI, OCT 30
p. 6
BAJOFONDO TUE, NOV 3
p. 7
Buy early and get the best seats!
LAKE STREET DIVE WED, NOV 4
p. 8
mondaviarts.org
september
WRY & DRY
STEVEN WRIGHT Best known for his deadpan delivery and wry observational humor, comedian Steven Wright has built a career that includes acting, writing, producing (including Louis C.K.’s FX show Louie) and an Academy Award. His performances are masterclasses in the art of standup, a laconic barrage of masterfully written and paced oneliners that show the influence of Woody Allen and George Carlin on his work.
THU, SEP 17 • 8PM JH
AMERICA’S MUSIC
JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER ORCHESTRA WITH WYNTON MARSALIS Hailed by the Chicago Tribune as “the greatest large jazz ensemble working today”, the Orchestra is led by consummate trumpeter Wynton Marsalis who presents the full vigor and vision of America’s music. The Orchestra will draw from a repertoire made famous by John Coltrane, Duke Ellington, Gerry Mulligan, John Lewis and more.
MON, SEP 21 • 8PM JH
OFFICE OF CAMPUS COMMUNITY RELATIONS
SOUL SISTERS
MAVIS STAPLES AND JOAN OSBORNE
SOLID SOUL
One’s a little bit gospel, the other’s a little bit rock ‘n roll, but this exceptional duo share a deep respect for soul, blues and R&B. Backed by Staples’ exemplary band, Mavis Staples’ commanding voice and Joan Osborne’s infectious spirit join together to raise the roof and deliver a master class in song.
WED, SEP 30 • 8PM JH MONDAVI CENTER TRADITION!
RISING STARS OF OPERA
UC Davis Symphony Orchestra Christian Baldini, music director and conductor San Francisco Opera Adler Fellows Now a celebrated Mondavi Center tradition, Rising Stars of Opera presents San Francisco Opera’s Adler Fellows, a select group of exceptionally gifted young singers, alongside the talents of the UC Davis Symphony Orchestra.
2
SUN, OCT 4 • 4PM JH FREE. Limit 4 per order. This special event is provided free to the community through the generosity of our dear Mondavi Center friend, Barbara K. Jackson.
october Mondavi Center 15–16
“VIRTUALLY ALL DANCE TECHNIQUES ARE MUTUALLY COMPATIBLE IN THARP’S UNIVERSE, WHERE THE CLASSICAL AND THE UNCLASSIFIABLE TEND TO SMILE SIDE BY SIDE.” —San Francisco Chronicle DANCE ICON
TWYLA THARP DANCE COMPANY
50TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR
In more than 130 dances, legendary dancer and choreographer Twyla Tharp has mashed up movement in all its permutations to forge a career that is nothing short of legendary. To celebrate her 50th year in the business, Tharp takes a new company of 12 dancers on a national tour with a new set of works that showcases her signature style, set to an equally diverse soundtrack that includes J.S. Bach, John Zorn, and Henry Butler and Steven Bernstein’s Fats Waller-inspired music for the crowd-pleasing Yowzie.
TUE, OCT 6 • 8PM JH
ADIOS TOUR
ORQUESTA BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB
ADIOS TOUR
mondaviarts.org 866.754.2787
featuring Omara Portuondo, Eliades Ochoa, Guajiro Mirabal, Jesús “Aguaje” Ramos and Barbarito Torres Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club says “Adios” to world stages with their farewell tour, which will end, fittingly, in Havana in the fall of 2015. At the forefront of the group are original band members who will be fondly recognized from the Buena Vista Social Club film: bandleader and trombonist Jesús “Aguaje” Ramos, trumpeter Guajiro Mirabal, laúd virtuoso Barbarito Torres, vocalist and guitarist Eliades Ochoa and the incomparable vocalist Omara Portuondo.
WED, OCT 7 • 8PM JH
Western Health Advantage Season of Performing Arts
3
october L.A. ROOTS
LOS LOBOS
OPENING ACT: ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO
Whether playing straight-ahead roots rock, traditional Mexican cumbias or pushing into psychedelia, Los Lobos has remained consistently soulful, authentic and compelling. Escovedo is one of of the leading lights in his home base of Austin, Texas, a singer-songwriter and performer whose diverse career has moved through punk rock, country and Americana.
FRI, OCT 9 • 8PM JH This event is presented in conjuction with TASTE 2015. TASTE is the premier opportunity to sample regional food, wine and beer with the goal of raising funds for Broadening Horizons, a program supporting Hispanic students in the Departments of Viticulture & Enology and Food Science & Technology at UC Davis.
“ONE OF THE MOST ORIGINAL AND STARTLING DANCE THEATER GROUPS TO BE SEEN.” —The New York Times
BUTOH DANCE
SANKAI JUKU
UMUSUNA
Originating in 1960s Japan, avant-garde dance form Butoh is difficult to narrowly define. But the visual markers—slow, mesmerizing movements, a dreamlike state, and shaven-head dancers covered head-to-toe in white talc—are quintessential parts of famed Butoh troupe Sankai Juku. UMUSUNA explores the connection between fleeting human existence and the eternity of nature and the universe.
TUE, OCT 13 • 8PM JH
4
october Mondavi Center 15–16
LIMITED AVAILABILITY THE BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION TOUR
HANDEL + HAYDN SOCIETY
Celebrating two centuries of music-making, the Handel + Haydn Society returns with a program of notable works from the Baroque canon, some of which were new when the Boston-based ensemble first performed them. Handel Coronation Anthem No. 1, “Zadok the Priest” Vivaldi Concerto for Two Violins in A Minor, Op. 3, No. 8 and “Summer” from The Four Seasons (combined) Handel Coronation Anthem No. 3, “The King Shall Rejoice” Bach Motet, Singet dem Herrn Handel Part 3 from Messiah
SAT, OCT 17 • 8PM JH
Harry Christophers, conductor and artistic director Aisslinn Nosky, violin and leader Handel + Haydn Chorus
SKETCHES OF GIL
RYAN TRUESDELL
CENTENNIAL: THE GIL EVANS PROJECT Grammy award-winning composer and producer Ryan Truesdell pays tribute to Gil Evans, the celebrated mid-century jazz pianist, composer, bandleader and frequent collaborator with Miles Davis (Sketches of Spain and Miles Ahead). Truesdell leads his 22-piece band of contemporary jazz all-stars through never-recorded or released works of Evans from the 1940s through the 1980s.
THU, OCT 22 • 8PM JH
“LIKE BEAUTIFUL MESSAGES FROM ANOTHER WORLD.”
—BBC Radio on Julie Fowlis
THE VOICE OF BRAVE
JULIE FOWLIS
mondaviarts.org 866.754.2787
MUSIC OF THE SCOTTISH ISLES Scottish vocalist Fowlis grew up in the Outer Hebrides and has been a proud standard bearer for Gaelic music and culture over the course of her solo career and numerous highly acclaimed projects and collaborations. She has performed at notable venues around the world (as well as the singing voice for Disney/ Pixar’s Brave) and has pushed beyond musical boundaries with her adaptations of traditional Scottish Gaelic songs.
LIMITED AVAILABILITY
THU–SAT, OCT 22–24 • 8PM VST
Western Health Advantage Season of Performing Arts
5
october BRASSY BRILLIANCE
MNOZIL BRASS With a signature brand of playfulness, Austria’s Mnozil Brass brings a brand new show full of infectious, energetic, downright effervescent music that conveys joy and skill in equal measure. Roll that musicianship together with offbeat humor, physical comedy and serious chops on original compositions, classical favorites, jazz standards and popular hits, and you have got quite a spectacle.
FRI, OCT 23 • 8PM JH
“EXCEPTIONAL, EVOCATIVE, EYE-CATCHING AND GROSSLY ENTERTAINING.” —The New York Times on Cirque Mechanics STEAMPUNK CYCLERY
CIRQUE MECHANICS
PEDAL PUNK
From the heart-rending romance of a unicycle dance to the heart-stopping (and gravity-defying) tricks of a BMX ride, Pedal Punk is a Steampunk-inspired acrobatic whirlwind where, with the help of an imaginative mechanic, cycling becomes the magical escape from a tech-obsessed world.
SUN, OCT 25 • 3PM JH
“FEW SOUL SINGERS ARE AS AUTHENTIC AND UNCOMPROMISING AS VOCAL POWERHOUSE SHARON JONES.”
—The Sun
SOUL SURVIVOR
SHARON JONES & THE DAP-KINGS Sharon Jones chased her artistic muse through years of odd jobs (including a gig as a prison guard at infamous Rikers Island) until her album, Dap Dippin with Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, singlehandedly launched soul music’s revival. Jones and company continue to set the standard, with explosive live performances and album after album of prime cuts, including the recent release Give the People What They Want.
FRI, OCT 30 • 8PM JH
6
november PUPPY LOVE
SPOT
The mischievous puppy from Eric Hill’s first book, Where’s Spot? has captured the attention of generations of children and parents. Theater Terra of the Netherlands brings lovable Spot to life using incredible puppetry, sing-along tunes and help from the audience to help Spot and his friend Helen find their lost animal friends.
SUN, NOV 1 • 3PM JH
youth *Always save 50%
Mondavi Center 15–16
THEATER TERRA
LUDWIG’S LEGACY
ALEXANDER STRING QUARTET
BEETHOVEN: BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER The Alexander String Quartet returns for its 14th consecutive year to perform an innovative Beethoven-themed series touching upon the influences leading to the composer’s work and those works he went on to influence. Renowned musicologist, author and composer Robert Greenberg provides commentary throughout the 2PM concert. Mozart Beethoven
String Quartet No. 18 in A Major, K. 464 String Quartet No. 5 in A Major, Op. 18
SUN, NOV 1 • 2PM & 7PM VST
7PM
2PM LIMITED AVAILABILITY
BORDER MUSIC Bajofondo brings together a collective of Argentine and Uruguayan artists dedicated to creating contemporary music of the Río de la Plata, combining elements of rock, hip hop and electronica to the traditional music of the region: tango, murga, milonga and candombe. Co-founder and producer Gustavo Santaolalla has won 16 Grammys and two Academy Awards for Best Original Score for Brokeback Mountain and Babel.
TUE, NOV 3 • 8PM JH
mondaviarts.org 866.754.2787
BAJOFONDO ACOUSTIC AMERICANA
JULIAN LAGE & CHRIS ELDRIDGE This duo performance celebrates a shared passion for acoustic music from two master guitarists, Julian Lage and Chris Eldridge. The two will draw on their own recordings, reveling in the breadth of the American songbook as they see it, incorporating bluegrass, country, gospel, old-time music and jazz.
WED–SAT, NOV 4–7 • 8PM VST
Western Health Advantage Season of Performing Arts
7
november POP-SOUL BAR BAND
LAKE STREET DIVE Lake Street Dive’s newest album, Bad Self Portraits, is a microcosm of the band’s evolution from a self-described “weird alt-country jazz group” to a pop-soul juggernaut. The Boston-based quartet harnesses ‘60s influences like Brill Building girl groups, British Invasion rock, horndriven R&B and Motown soul to create an infectious, immediate stage presence and a sound that pays homage to the dive bar bands that inspired its name.
WED, NOV 4 • 8PM JH
“ZADIE SMITH IS NOT MERELY ONE OF BRITAIN’S FINEST YOUNGER WRITERS, BUT ALSO ONE OF THE ENGLISH-SPEAKING WORLD’S BEST CHRONICLERS OF RACE, CLASS AND IDENTITY IN URBAN CONFINES.” —The Philadelphia Inquirer
STORYTELLERS
ZADIE SMITH
In Conversation with Yiyun Li Only a handful of writers have enjoyed the instantaneous success of Zadie Smith. Twice named on Granta’s “Best of Young British Novelists” list (2003 and 2013) Smith has built a substantial career as one of the finest novelists writing today. She is joined in conversation by UC Davis professor Yiyun Li, named among Granta’s “Best of Young American Novelists” in 2007.
FRI, NOV 6 • 8PM JH
OFFICE OF CAMPUS COMMUNITY RELATIONS
SIBELIUS + SCHUMANN
SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY
Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor Leonidas Kavakos, violin
Joined by violinist Leonidas Kavakos, the San Francisco Symphony returns to Jackson Hall with Schumann’s ”Rhenish” symphony and two works by Jean Sibelius: a tone poem celebrating the forest spirit inhabiting the composer’s native Finnish woods; and the only concerto written by the composer, virtually unknown until 1991.
LIMITED AVAILABILITY
Sibelius Tapiola, Op. 112 Violin Concerto in D Minor, Op. 47 Leonidas Kavakos, violin Schumann Symphony No. 3 in E-flat Major, Op. 97, “Rhenish”
THU, NOV 12 • 8PM JH
8
nov/dec Mondavi Center 15–16
“EPIC, DEEPLY FOCUSED AND GRANDLY
MODERN KATHAK
AKRAM KHAN COMPANY
BEAUTIFUL.”
kaash
—The Telegraph on Akram Khan Company
Five dancers bring new light and energy to this first-ever revival of the company’s first full-length piece, focusing on the bridge between modern and classical dance—specifically Kathak, one of eight traditional Indian dance forms. kaash is a rhythmic exploration between science and mythology, creation and destruction, with music from renowned composer Nitin Sawhney and set design by sculptor Anish Kapoor.
THU, NOV 19 • 8PM JH GRAMMY-WINNING ENSEMBLE
ORPHEUS CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
Augustin Hadelich, violin
The Orpheus Chamber Orchestra rotates leadership for each work, placing democracy at the center of artistic expression. This thoughtfully curated program features soloist Augustin Hadelich, who returns to the Mondavi Center following his brilliant performance in 2013 with the San Francisco Symphony, and includes Handel’s spirited Concerto Grosso, which builds upon the collaboration theme with its Baroque-style call and response between the soloists and orchestra. Handel Concerto Grosso, Op. 6, No. 5 Stravinsky Divertimento from Le baiser de la fée for Violin and Orchestra (arr. Sitkovetsky) Augustin Hadelich, violin Tchaikovsky Valse-Scherzo for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 23 Augustin Hadelich, violin Schubert Symphony No. 5 in B-flat Major, D. 485
mondaviarts.org 866.754.2787
WED, DEC 2 • 8PM JH SWING IN THE SEASON
MATT WILSON TREE-O “Matt Wilson thrives around the holidays ...” The New York Times best sums up this seasonal program from the celebrated jazz drummer and his two longtime bandmates, reedman Jeff Lederer and bassist Paul Sikivie. In this program, the “Tree-O” puts their imaginative stamp on Christmas staples, transforming mainstays like “Silent Night” and “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” into delightful jazz showpieces.
WED–SAT, DEC 2–5 • 8PM VST
Western Health Advantage Season of Performing Arts
9
december
COSMOPOLITAN HOLIDAY
PINK MARTINI
HOLIDAY SHOW FEATURING STORM LARGE Unparalleled purveyors of a multilingual blend of cosmopolitan sounds, Pink Martini delivers a festive holiday concert featuring beloved songs from around the globe sung by featured vocalist Storm Large. The “little orchestra” draws inspiration from music all over the world, crossing genres of classical, jazz and old-fashioned pop, with featured tracks like “White Christmas” and a sambainspired version of “Auld Lang Syne”.
SUN, DEC 6 • 7PM JH
WRITER’S TALK
IN CONVERSATION WITH VINCE GILLIGAN Vince Gilligan has garnered multiple awards for his work on shows like The X-Files and Breaking Bad, including two Emmys for the latter. Of Gilligan’s characters, The New York Times has said “they inhabit a realm of moral ambiguities that’s overseen by a man with both a wicked sense of humor and a highly refined sense of right and wrong.”
THU, DEC 10 • 8PM JH
THREE WISE GUYS NOT A SHAKESPEARE SHOW
REDUCED SHAKESPEARE COMPANY
ULTIMATE CHRISTMAS
“SLAPSTICK MERRIMENT.” —The New York Times on Reduced Shakespeare Company
10
This is, in fact, not a Shakespeare show. Known for condensing classic tales into irreverent, side-splitting performances, the Reduced Shakespeare Company tells the story of Christmahanukwanzakah from the trio of “Three Wise Guys” at St. Everybody’s Non-Denominational Universalist Church. Irreverent yet heartwarming, the show pays delightful tribute to everyone’s favorite holiday traditions—joyful songs, Christmas pageantry, and familial dysfunction— through hilarious physical theater.
SAT, DEC 12 • 7PM JH
dec/jan A NEW MONDAVI CENTER HOLIDAY TRADITION! J.S. BACH’S CHRISTMAS ORATORIO
Celebrating their 27th season, American Bach Soloists and Jeffrey Thomas have enjoyed widespread critical acclaim. The ABS return with music director Thomas conducting the period instrument orchestra, the acclaimed choir, and an outstanding quartet of soloists in a performance of J.S. Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, beloved in Europe as a holiday tradition, and now as a new tradition at the Mondavi Center.
SUN, DEC 13 • 4PM JH
Mondavi Center 15–16
AMERICAN BACH SOLOISTS
JEFFREY THOMAS, MUSIC DIRECTOR
LUDWIG’S LEGACY
ALEXANDER STRING QUARTET
BEETHOVEN: BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER The Alexander String Quartet returns for its 14th consecutive year to perform an innovative Beethoven-themed series touching upon the influences leading to the composer’s work, and those works he went on to influence. Renowned musicologist, author and composer Robert Greenberg provides commentary throughout the 2PM concert. Mozart String Quartet in F Minor, Op. 95 Mendelssohn String Quartet in F Minor, Op. 80
SUN, JAN 10 • 2PM & 7PM VST
2PM LIMITED AVAILABILITY
FOLKSY FAMILY FUN
THE OKEE DOKEE BROTHERS As childhood friends growing up in Colorado, Joe Mailander and Justin Lansing were always exploring the outdoors, rafting down their neighborhood creek, biking into the country or discovering hiking trails through the Rocky Mountains. As the Grammy Award-winning The Okee Dokee Brothers (2013 Best Children’s Album, Can You Canoe?), they have put their passion for the outdoors at the heart of their Americana folk music.
mondaviarts.org 866.754.2787
youth *Always save 50%
7PM
SUN, JAN 10 • 3PM JH
Western Health Advantage Season of Performing Arts
11
january FILM + MUSIC
THE ORLANDO CONSORT
THE PASSION OF JOAN OF ARC
La Passion de Jeanne d’Arc (1928) is recognized as one of the finest films ever made. Famous for its vivid close ups and stark realism, the silent film depicts the trial and execution of Joan of Arc in 15th century France. British a cappella group The Orlando Consort has assembled a soundtrack for this masterpiece of cinema of vocal music dating from the period of St. Joan’s brief life.
FRI, JAN 15 • 8PM JH Presented in partnership with UC Davis Department of Music.
“STUFFED FULL OF IDEAS, STRUCTURALLY COMPLEX
MOVEMENT SCIENCE IN 3-D
COMPANY WAYNE McGREGOR
AND AT THE VERY CUTTING
ATOMOS
EDGE OF TECHNOLOGY.”
Wayne McGregor has been called “one of the most celebrated and sought-after choreographers of his generation” (The New York Times), known for his masterful blending of art, technology and science. The visually-rich Atomos continues his exploration, using ethereal light and 3-D effects. A cast of 10 dancers “atomize” across the stage in sculptural, rigorous movements, set to a live neoclassical ambient score.
—The Telegraph on Company Wayne McGregor
WED, JAN 2O • 8PM JH
GET YOUR SHIN-ON
YAMATO Hailing from the village of Asuka, Yamato’s motto is “Go anywhere if invited and make the world a little more happy.” The globe-trotting troupe achieves this goal by infusing traditional Taiko drumming virtuosity with original compositions and theatrical staging. The result is a vital, pulsating experience that connects these exceptional artists with their audience through “shin-on” —a shared heartbeat.
FRI, JAN 22 • 7PM JH
12
jan/feb LONDON CALLING
ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
Iconic violinist and conductor Pinchas Zukerman leads the London-based Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in a program infused with imagery and lyricism. Elgar Serenade for Strings, Op. 20 Mozart Violin Concerto No.5 in A Major, K. 219 Pinchas Zukerman, violin Brahms Symphony No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 68
LIMITED AVAILABILITY
SAT, JAN 23 • 8PM JH
Mondavi Center 15–16
Pinchas Zukerman, conductor and violin
ART OF THE QUINTET
LUCIANA SOUZA
SPEAKING IN TONGUES
featuring Lionel Loueke, Gregoire Maret, Massimo Biolcati and Kendrick Scott Brazilian-born Luciana Souza continues to embrace music that “organically crosses genre borders” (Billboard), penning compositions and leading a high-octane group of bandmates from around the globe in the fluid language of jazz, bossa nova and samba. Representing the sounds of four different continents, the group acknowledges no rules, no boundaries—just infectious world music that reaches the soul through lyrics and poetry.
WED–SAT, JAN 27–30 • 8PM VST
LOOK OUT BELOW!
CIRQUE ALFONSE
youth *Always save 50%
TIMBER!
With axes flying, logs rolling and fiddles blazing, Timber! is a raucous celebration of lumberjacks, loggers and traditional farm life in Quebec. Inspired by their family farm in the woods of Saint-Alphonse-Rodriguez, the troupe share their artistry and folklore through jawdropping feats of derring-do and imaginative aerial theatrics—all set to a rollicking soundtrack of traditional Quebeçois folk music, accented with a hint of freshlyhewn pine.
SUN, JAN 31 • 3PM JH
MATT TAIBBI
THE DIVIDE: AMERICAN INJUSTICE IN THE AGE OF THE WEALTH GAP In New York Times bestseller The Divide: American Injustice in the Age of the Wealth Gap, Matt Taibbi takes readers on a galvanizing journey through both sides of our new system of justice—the untouchably wealthy and the criminalized poor. In this Campus Community Book Project event, Taibbi will paint an alarming portrait of contemporary American life— where our basic rights are now determined by our wealth or poverty—and provide a way forward against this urgent crisis.
WED, FEB 3 • 8PM JH
mondaviarts.org 866.754.2787
CAMPUS COMMUNITY BOOK PROJECT
OFFICE OF CAMPUS COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Western Health Advantage Season of Performing Arts
13
february FILM + MUSIC
CAMERON CARPENTER, ORGAN THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI Virtuoso organist Cameron Carpenter brings his musical imagination to bear in a short recital program followed by a live improvised scoring of the 1920 silent horror film The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. Thought to be the first true horror film, Caligari provides a perfectly macabre inspiration for Carpenter’s wicked musical gifts. This performance marks the Mondavi Center debut of the International Touring Organ.
WED, FEB 10 • 8PM JH
BAROQUE FIREWORKS
PHILHARMONIA BAROQUE WITH SUSAN GRAHAM
30TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Nicholas McGegan, music director and conductor Susan Graham, mezzo-soprano Nicholas McGegan celebrates 30 years with the PBO with an all-Handel program that features mezzosoprano Susan Graham, recently nominated for a 2015 International Opera Award in the Readers’ Choice category. Handel Water Music in D Major Music for the Royal Fireworks “Scherza infida” and “Dopo notte” from Ariodante “Ombra mai fu” and “Se bramate” from Xerxes Susan Graham, mezzo-soprano
FRI, FEB 12 • 8PM JH
A PERFECT VALENTINE
LARA DOWNES, PIANO
LOVE, MADLY
Countless pieces of music have been inspired by the folly of love. Pianist Lara Downes has curated a program of piano masterpieces inspired by romantic dramas from Romeo and Juliet to Robert and Clara Schumann, and featuring the West Coast premiere of Mad Love, a new work by composer Daniel Felsenfeld.
SAT, FEB 13 • 8PM VST SUN, FEB 14 • 2PM VST Supported by a generous grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
14
february Mondavi Center 15–16
“A STONE-COLD KNOCKOUT.” —Star Tribune on Ms. Lisa Fischer ELECTRIFYING CHANTEUSE
MS. LISA FISCHER & GRAND BATON Lisa Fischer has spent the last 20 years as a backup singer for the Rolling Stones, Sting, Chris Botti, and countless others. The breakout documentary Twenty Feet From Stardom raised Fischer’s profile so high that she is taking her show on the road and audiences are riveted by her astonishing range and mastery of the stage as she interprets classic songs from across the rock and pop universe.
SUN, FEB 14 • 7PM JH
OFFICE OF CAMPUS COMMUNITY RELATIONS
JAZZ MOODS
DAVE DOUGLAS QUINTET
FRI, FEB 19 • 8PM JH
“ THE UNASSUMING KING OF INDEPENDENT JAZZ.” —DownBeat on Dave Douglas
Western Health Advantage Season of Performing Arts
mondaviarts.org 866.754.2787
Trumpeter and composer Dave Douglas is a restless musical explorer who pairs his eclectic interests with an ever-evolving list of collaborators. Throughout his repertoire Douglas’ hallmarks remain clear: riveting compositions, a capacity for evocative moods and brilliant improvisation. His unique approach has garnered many accolades including a Guggenheim Fellowship, an Aaron Copland award and two Grammy nominations.
15
february
LIMITED AVAILABILITY RUSSIAN EXCELLENCE
RUSSIAN NATIONAL ORCHESTRA
Mikhail Pletnev, conductor Yuja Wang, piano
Founded in 1990 by pianist and conductor Mikhail Pletnev, the RNO is unique among the principal Russian ensembles as it is the first independent orchestra in Russia. Brilliant pianist Yuja Wang returns to Jackson Hall bringing her “impressive virtuosity and poise” (The Boston Globe). Schumann Overture to Genoveva, Op. 81 Mozart Piano Concerto No. 9 in E-flat Major, K.271 (Jeunehomme) Yuja Wang, piano Tchaikovsky Suite from Swan Lake
SAT, FEB 20 • 8PM JH
FLAMENCO FIRE
JUAN SIDDI FLAMENCO SANTA FE Infusing old-world tradition with contemporary flair, Juan Siddi Flamenco Santa Fe features virtuosic musicians and the dramatic power of Siddi’s rigorous yet passionate choreography. The internationally renowned Siddi trained in Germany with strong artistic roots in Barcelona and Granada. Music director Jose “Chuscales” Valle Fajardo grew up in the tradition of the Gypsies and has collaborated with some of Spain’s most celebrated flamenco artists.
SAT, FEB 27 • 8PM JH
“MONTY PYTHON MEETS SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK”
STORY PIRATES These incredible performers—a fun-loving group of sketch comedians and educators—faithfully bring to life the unfiltered world of children’s imaginations. When the curtain rises, cats can fly; hot dogs save the world; fried foods battle dairy foods; and the characters you’re likely to meet are Captain Waffles, Moneyhead Alan or Snufflepants. In all, it is a celebration of the powerful link between literacy and creative self-expression.
SUN, FEB 28 • 1PM & 3PM JH
youth *Always save 50% 16
march “AMERICA’S REIGNING DIVA FOR MORE THAN
Mondavi Center 15–16
A DECADE NOW.” —Washington Post on Renée Fleming “THE PEOPLE’S DIVA”
RENÉE FLEMING, SOPRANO
Renée Fleming has done more to elevate the artistry of classical voice than any other American artist. In 2013, she received the National Medal of Arts from President Obama as well as her fourth Grammy. She also became the first classical artist to perform the National Anthem at the Super Bowl, bringing her artistry to a vast new audience.
WED, MAR 2 • 8PM JH
DYNAMIC DUETS
FOX WOLF DUO
VIRTUOSOS IN DIALOGUE
Donal Fox, piano, composer, arranger Warren Wolf, vibraphone Internationally acclaimed pianist and composer Donal Fox is celebrated for his innovative approach to fusing jazz, Latin and classical repertoire. Renowned vibraphonist Warren Wolf’s mesmerizing prowess provides the perfect counterpoint. This remarkable dialogue between keys and percussion will include Fox originals plus signature arrangements of classic pieces executed with improvisational grace.
WED–SAT, MAR 2–5 • 8PM VST
MUSIC + FILM
THE TRIPLETS OF BELLEVILLE
The Triplets of Belleville tells the story of a Tour de France cyclist who is kidnapped by mysterious henchmen and spirited across the ocean. But the true star of this animated film is the hot jazz score composed by Benoît Charest. Charest will transport audiences into the streets of 1920s Paris as he leads Le Terrible Orchestre de Belleville in a live performance of the original score during this screening.
mondaviarts.org 866.754.2787
BENOÎT CHAREST & LE TERRIBLE ORCHESTRE DE BELLEVILLE
FRI, MAR 4 • 8PM JH
Western Health Advantage Season of Performing Arts
17
march
SOLD OUT CLASSICAL MASTERY
ACADEMY OF ST. MARTIN IN THE FIELDS
Joshua Bell, music director and violin
Under the musical leadership of American violin virtuoso Joshua Bell, the renowned Academy of St. Martin in the Fields’ sound “ is as clear and true as it was 30 years ago” (The Independent). Prokofiev Classical Symphony, Op. 25 Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 35 Joshua Bell, violin Schumann (arr. Britten) Elegy for Orchestra Beethoven Symphony No. 8 in F Major, Op. 93
“THEY PLAY WITH A SHARP ATTACK, A RHYTHMIC PUNCH AND A NEW JOY IN LIVING.” —The Times (London)
SAT, MAR 5 • 8PM JH
LUDWIG’S LEGACY
ALEXANDER STRING QUARTET
BEETHOVEN: BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER
with Roger Woodward, piano
The Alexander String Quartet returns for its 14th consecutive year to perform an innovative Beethoven-themed series touching upon the influences leading to the composer’s work and those works he went on to influence. Renowned musicologist, author and composer Robert Greenberg provides commentary throughout the 2PM concert. Beethoven Greenberg Beethoven
Piano Quartet No. 3 in C Major Invasive Species Op. 59, No. 3
SUN, MAR 6 • 2PM & 7PM VST
7PM
2PM LIMITED AVAILABILITY
BINGE-WORTHY JOURNALISM
SARAH KOENIG AND JULIE SNYDER
BACKSTAGE WITH THE CREATORS OF SERIAL Veteran radio journalists and producers Sarah Koenig and Julie Snyder take the audience behind-the-scenes of the creation of Serial, the most popular podcast in the world. Season One, centered on a single legal case, proved that slow-motion journalism could captivate and sustain listeners. Seasons Two and Three of Serial are currently in production.
MON, MAR 7 • 8PM JH HUMANITIES INSTITUTE
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march “ZIEGLER PLAYS STRAIGHT FROM BLEEDING HEART OF NUEVO TANGO, WITH ITS ARGENTINIAN MIX OF SWAGGER AND SWEETNESS.” —The Guardian
NUEVO TANGO
PABLO ZIEGLER AND CHRISTOPHER O’RILEY
TWO TO TANGO
Latin Grammy-winning pianist, composer and arranger Ziegler is one of the most important figures in Argentine nuevo tango. O’Riley, the host of NPR’s classical music program From the Top, has stretched the piano beyond conventional boundaries with groundbreaking transcriptions of Radiohead, Elliott Smith and Nick Drake. This adventurous program features virtuosic arrangements of compositions of their own and by Astor Piazzolla.
Mondavi Center 15–16
THE BEATING,
TUE–WED, MAR 15–16 • 8PM VST Supported by a generous grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
ST. PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATION
IGUDESMAN & JOO
ALTAN & LÚNASA WITH TIM O’BRIEN
At the intersection of classical music, comedy and pop culture is where you’ll find Aleksey Igudesman and Hyung-ki Joo. With more than 35 million YouTube views to date, the duo is making good on their mission to make classical music more accessible to a wider audience— through hilarious, theatrical performances that simultaneously honor and subvert the genre.
WED, MAR 16 • 8PM JH “EXUBERANTLY SILLY ... FUELED
This trio of powerhouse artists from both sides of the Atlantic explores the deep and ancient bond shared between Irish and American traditional music. West Virginia native Tim O’Brien joins Altan, the Irish traditional band who recently recorded in Nashville with masters of American roots music, and Lúnasa whose inventive arrangements and bass-driven grooves continue to steer Irish acoustic music into surprising new territory.
mondaviarts.org 866.754.2787
CLASSICAL CUT-UPS
THU, MAR 17• 7PM JH
BY GENUINE, DAZZLING VIRTUOSITY.” —The New York Times
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march Young Artists Competition is sold as a 3-event package:
FROM THE TOP WITH CHRISTOPHER O’RILEY FEATURING THE YOUNG ARTISTS COMPETITION ALL-STARS For the past decade, From the Top has been the preeminent showcase for America’s best young musicians. This live recording of the show will feature alumni artists from the Young Artists Competition, offering a compelling and entertaining window into the world of a diverse group of talented young people.
FRI, MAR 18 • 8PM JH
YOUNG ARTISTS COMPETITION FINALS WITH CHRISTOPHER O’RILEY Talented young musicians from across the United States take the stage with their best repertoire before an esteemed panel of judges competing for cash prizes and a spot in Sunday’s Winners Concert.
SAT, MAR 19 • BEGINS AT 10AM JH
YOUNG ARTISTS COMPETITION WINNERS CONCERT Mondavi Center resident pianist Lara Downes hosts the celebratory concert featuring winners in multiple instrumental categories.
SUN, MAR 20 • 2PM JH
MUSIC + FILM
TOMORROW’S STARS
SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY
CURTIS ON TOUR AIZURI QUARTET
E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL
Michael Rusinek, clarinet
This live performance pairs the San Francisco Symphony’s brilliance with a screening of one of Steven Spielberg’s most iconic and memorable films, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. The 1982 blockbuster was nominated for nine Academy Awards that year, winning four, including Best Original Score by legendary Hollywood composer John Williams.
The Curtis Institute of Music educates and trains exceptionally gifted young musicians for careers as performing artists at the highest professional level. Joining Curtis’ String Quartet-in-Residence is acclaimed clarinetist Michael Rusinek, a faculty member at Curtis and Carnegie Mellon University.
THU, MAR 24 • 7PM JH
New work For strings and clarinet Sibelius String Quartet in D Minor, “Voces Intimae,” Op. 56 Mozart Quintet in A Major for Clarinet and Strings, K. 581
SAT, MAR 26 • 8PM VST
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mar/apr Mondavi Center 15–16
SONGWRITERS IN THE ROUND
PATTY GRIFFIN WITH SARA WATKINS & ANAÏS MITCHELL
TOGETHER ON STAGE
Patty Griffin writes songs that are powerful, personal and unpredictable in all the best ways. Sara Watkins, a founding member of Nickel Creek, has forged a solo career that pushes her bluegrass and folk roots into fascinating directions. Anaïs Mitchell has built a loyal following for her songs that draw on mythological references. This singers-in-the-round performance features all three artists on stage together.
WED, MAR 30 • 8PM JH
“UNDENIABLY GROOVY... MASTERFULLY PERFORMED.” —Time Out Chicago on Third Coast Percussion
SONIC PLAYGROUND
THIRD COAST PERCUSSION
HAUNT OF LAST NIGHTFALL
Haunt of Last Nightfall is a politically inspired program including John Cage’s satirical Credo in US, Frederic Rzewski’s Coming Together and the title piece by David T. Little;
THU, MAR 31 • 8PM VST
WILD SOUND
Wilco drummer and composer Glenn Kotche’s Wild Sound combines field recordings from cities around the world, live performance and the construction and destruction of musical instruments on stage.
mondaviarts.org 866.754.2787
Third Coast Percussion explores the sonic possibilities of the percussion repertoire in concerts and recordings that meld the energy of rock music with the precision and nuance of classical chamber works. The ensemble presents two distinct programs:
SAT, APR 2 • 8PM VST Supported by a generous grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
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april
“ONE OF THE BEST GUITARISTS IN THE WORLD.” —Boston Globe on Sharon Isbin
GUITAR ARTISTRY
NEW YORK CHAMBER SOLOISTS ORCHESTRA WITH SHARON ISBIN, GUITAR The Soloists, a 12-member ensemble of strings, winds, and keyboard, are joined by classical guitar virtuoso Sharon Isbin who began her studies at the age of nine in Italy and went on to study with Andrès Segovia, Oscar Ghiglia and other luminaries of classical guitar. Vivaldi Rodrigo Respighi De Falla Rodrigo
Concerto for four violins and orchestra Fantasía para un gentilhombre for Guitar and Orchestra The Birds Concerto for Harpsichord Concierto de Aranjuez for Guitar and Orchestra
SAT, APR 2 • 8PM JH INTERNATIONAL PARTY
GLOBALFEST LIVE
CREOLE CARNIVAL
featuring Casuarina, Emeline Michel, Brushy One String globalFEST brings together emerging and established artists who represent diverse global styles. Creole Carnival features artists that capture the spirit of Carnival culture: Casuarina, one of the most respected samba bands in Brazil; Haitian Emeline Michel, beloved in her island home for her blend of traditional rhythms with political lyrics; and Brushy One String who was “discovered” in rural Jamaica and has since achieved social media superstar status.
THU, APR 7 • 8PM JH SHAKESPEARE’S HEROINES
TINA PACKER’S WOMEN OF WILL
WITH NIGEL GORE
Actor and playwright Tina Packer has spent more than 40 years immersed in the world of the Bard. Part performance, part lecture, Women of Will takes a fierce, playful look at Shakespeare’s most powerful heroines, creating a unique experience that is at once funny, fierce and accessible.
SAT, APR 9 • 3PM/7:30PM & SUN, APR 10 • 2PM JH ON STAGE
OF MONDAVI CENTER
SAT, APR 9 • 3PM/7:30PM This performance is presented in two parts around an extended dinner break: Force and Heat: The Early Plays and Chaos and Redemption: The Later Plays. Dinner will be available for purchase in the weeks before the event.
SUN, APR 10 • 2PM This matinee is a condensed, comprehensive presentation of Shakespearean scenes, insights and discussion taken from the full series. It covers the full breadth of Shakespeare’s works.
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april
AIMEE MANN & BILLY COLLINS
AN EVENING OF POETRY, ACOUSTIC MUSIC AND CONVERSATION
Mondavi Center 15–16
ARTISTIC MUSES
Former U.S. poet laureate Billy Collins and singer-songwriter Aimee Mann’s chance meeting at an event at the White House grew into an idea to take their respective shows on the road, resulting in this unique onstage pairing. What to expect? A volley of poetry and music—and commentary on both that will leave audiences enchanted.
MON, APR 25 • 8PM JH
“SHE’S THE LATEST ANSWER TO THE QUESTION OF WHAT JAZZ HAS TO DO WITH YOU.” —The New York Times on Cécile McClorin Salvant
TREASURED COLLABORATORS
YO-YO MA, CELLO KATHRYN STOTT, PIANO
CÉCILE McLORIN SALVANT The youngest finalist at the 2010 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition was practically unknown to any of the judges or participants yet she walked away with first place in the jazz world’s most prestigious contest. The buzz began almost immediately and has continued through her recent Grammy nomination for her debut U.S. album WomanChild.
WED, MAY 11 • 8PM JH
mondaviarts.org 866.754.2787
BRIGHT STAR
Since his last appearance in the Mondavi Center’s 10th Anniversary Season, Yo-Yo Ma has accomplished much. He embarked on the Goat Rodeo Sessions tour with his “genre-hopping quartet” (Cincinnati Enquirer) and took his Silk Road Ensemble to Oman, with both projects garnering multiple awards. Of his frequent accompanist, Kathryn Stott, the Washington Post noted she is “every bit Ma’s equal, playing ... with striking individuality.”
FRI, APR 29 • 8PM JH OFFICE OF CAMPUS COMMUNITY RELATIONS
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Your generous donation allows us to bring world-class artists and speakers to the Sacramento Valley and energize and inspire tens of thousands of school children and teachers through our nationally-recognized Arts Education programs. In appreciation of your gift, you receive a host of benefits that can include:
• Priority Seating • Access to Donor-Only Events • Advance ticket sales for Just Added shows • 10% discount in the Gift Shop • Much, much more ...
Gifts of all sizes are valuable and make a difference.
Mmany thanks to our 15-16 sponsors! Season Sponsor
Mondavi Center Corporate Partners PLATINUM
GOLD
SILVER OFFICE OF CAMPUS COMMUNITY RELATIONS
BRONZE
COPPER
Mondavi Center Grantors and Arts Education Sponsors The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
Special Thanks API
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Getting Here
Corin Courtyard
From I-80 East or West:
• • • •
Take the UC Davis Exit #71. Continue north on Old Davis Road. Turn right onto Hilgard Lane. Enter into the west side of the Parking Structure (on the left).
Parking
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Graduate School of Management
Ticket Of fice
UCD Welcome Center
Mondavi Center
Information kiosk
Old Davis Road Robert Mondavi Food & Wine Institute
WEST
I-80
Passenger Drop Off/ Front of Mondavi Center
EAST
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order today! Online
mondaviarts.org
By Phone
866.754.2787 (toll-free in California) TDD: 530.754.5402
In Person
The Mondavi Center Ticket Office is open: MON–SAT: NOON–6PM SUN: On performance days, ticket windows open one hour prior to curtain time through first intermission.
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