From the Columbus Museum of Art current special exhibit: Vincent van Gogh, Les Vessenots in Auvers, 1890. Oil on canvas, Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid.
LONG LIVE THE ARTS A Guide to the First Quarter of 2022 Written by Amelia Jeffers / Compiled by Jessica Metcalf
Few industries have been hit by the Covid pandemic more than the arts. From the complete shutdown of live performances and fundraising events for more than a year, to a cautious return to in-person activities, budgets have been decimated and organizations and private ventures have relied on a combination of government relief (when available) and the generous support of the community. Yet the strong foundation of the Columbus arts scene has tenaciously supported its own - with an incredible lineup of exhibitions and performances on tap for the new year, despite the unprecedented challenges of the past 24 months. Read on for a glimpse into upcoming opportunities to appreciate and support our vibrant arts community. One of the nation’s top professional companies, BalletMet, welcomed a return to an enduring central Ohio holiday tradition with live performances of The Nutcracker at the Ohio Theatre in December. In mid-February, the Davidson Theatre at the Riffe will host the timeless ballet, Giselle, choreographed by Artistic Director Edwaard Liang. Rounding out the first half of 2022 are Cinderella, the classic ballet, and Director’s Choice, a series of short ballets choreographed by the top names in ballet will offer a terrific opportunity for ballet enthusiasts as well as neophytes. 66 slmag.net
The Columbus Symphony is offering a robust schedule, welcoming back the annual Russian Winter Festival, a program that celebrates the great Russian composers. Conducted by Music Director Rossen Milanov, the first half of the festival is scheduled for January 7 and 8 and will include Ravel’s orchestration of Mussorgsky’s piano suite, Pictures at an Exhibition, and Stravinsky’s acclaimed ballet and orchestral concert work, The Rite of Spring. The second half runs January 21-23 and highlights Tchaikovsky’s Orchestral Suite No. 3 and Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3, featuring American-Israeli pianist Inon Barnatan. Don’t be discouraged if your favorite show sells out, there are also tickets available for dress rehearsals for Columbus Symphony shows. In February, fans of the Symphony have the choice of Puccini’s La Bohème, Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue (with an exciting program curated by guest conductor and pianist, William Eddins), and Pablo Plays Dvořák featuring Pablo Ferrández, prizewinner of the Tchaikovsky Competition on cello. In March, experience a multi-media event featuring the Columbus Symphony Chorus accompanied by projections of the famous illustrations of Dante’s The Divine Comedy by French artist Gustave Doré for the seldom-heard Liszt's Dante Symphony. Guest conductor Carolyn Kuan and pianist Vijay Nekatesh close out the first quarter of the new year with Schubert's Symphony No. 9, "The Great".
