The classical music scene in the Sacramento region has been maturing, and no season is more telling than the one coming up.
Deep roots are evident on the concert scene. This season the Mondavi Center at UC Davis celebrates a decade as the go-to hall for top-notch orchestral and recital performances. Folsom's Three Stages complex enters its third season and has become a magnet for classical music. And one of the area's most exciting – and enduring – showcases is the 35-year-old Festival of New American Music at California State University, Sacramento.
The result is a strong and varied schedule.
Here are 10 concerts likely to be highlights of the fall classical music season.
SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY
When: 8 p.m. Thursday
Where: Jackson Hall, Mondavi Center, UC Davis
Tickets: $55-$99
Information: (866) 754-2787; www.MondaviArts.org
What: It is fitting that the San Francisco Symphony open the 10th anniversary orchestra season at the Mondavi. After all, the SFS christened the hall in its first orchestral concert a decade ago. The SFS, always a highlight of the concert season, will perform Samuel Carl Adams' "Drift and Providence" and Mahler's Symphony No. 5. Michael Tilson Thomas conducts.
VIVA LA MUSICA!
Sacramento Philharmonic
When: 2 p.m. Saturday
Where: Community Center Theater, 1301 L St., Sacramento
Tickets: $21-$117
Information: (916) 732-9045; www.sacphil.org
What: For many classical music lovers, Latin America is somewhat of a blank spot. That will not be the case for those attending this Philharmonic concert, which exposes the breadth and depth of Latin American classical music. The orchestra will perform works by composers who hail from Mexico to Argentina. Works include the much-loved Three Dances from Manuel de Falla's "The Three Cornered Hat," as well as Blas Galindo's "Sones de Mariachi." New and recent works by Latin American composers are well-represented, such as "Fiesta!" by Peruvian composer Jimmy Lopez, and Daniel Binelli's "Homenaje al Tango: Double Concerto for Piano, Bandoneón & Symphony Orchestra." That work will feature guest artists Juan Pablo Jofre on the bandoneón and Polly Ferman on the piano. Michael Morgan conducts.
"MOBY DICK"
San Francisco Opera
When: Oct. 10-Nov. 2
Where: War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco
Tickets: $22-$271
Information: (415) 864-3330; www.sfopera.com
What: It's hard to believe no one had adapted Melville's classic novel for the opera stage until Jake Heggie and librettist Gene Scheer were commissioned by the San Francisco Opera, the Dallas Opera and three other companies to do so. The opera premiered in 2010 in Dallas to favorable buzz and premieres in San Francisco with Jay Hunter Morris portraying the obsessive Ahab and Stephen Costello in his company debut as Ishmael. Patrick Summers conducts in this Leonard Foglia production.
MUSICK FROM THE KING'S COURT
Sacramento Baroque Soloists
When: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 13; 3 p.m. Oct. 14
Where: St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 1430 J St., Sacramento (Oct. 13); Stegmann Hall, Rudolf Steiner College, 9200 Fair Oaks Blvd., Fair Oaks (Oct. 14)
Tickets: $10-$25
Information: (916) 705-3806; www.sacramentobaroque.org
What: This concert will be a feast for lovers of the baroque with the SBS performing a program that includes selections from Dowland's Lachrimae, Corelli's Trio Sonata Op. 1, No. 11 in D minor, Handel's "The Harmonious Blacksmith" (Air and Variations from Suite No. 5) and Couperin's "Les goûts réunis: Styles Reunited."
PORTALS OF HEAVEN
Sacramento Choral Society and Orchestra
When: 3 p.m. Oct. 28
Where: Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament,
1017 11th St., Sacramento
Tickets: $25-$35
Information: (916) 536-9065; www.sacramentochoral.com
What: The organ will be a centerpiece of the SCSO's first concert of the 2012-13 season with organist Ryan Enright accompanying singers and soloists on Gabriel Fauré's Requiem and Vivaldi's Gloria. With soprano Katherine Jolly, mezzo-soprano Julie Anne Miller and baritone Daniel Yoder. Donald Kendrick conducts.
FESTIVAL OF NEW AMERICAN MUSIC
When: Nov. 1-10
Where: Capistrano Hall, CSUS, 6000 J St., Sacramento
Tickets: Free
Information: (916) 278-5191; www.csus.edu/music/fenam
What: The best local ticket for new American music is a free one and it can be had at this always-provocative festival hosted by California State University, Sacramento. Augusta Read Thomas is the keynote speaker and featured composer in this 10-day festival in which new music of every kind is offered. This year's lineup includes the Third Coast Percussion (Nov. 1), the adventurous Jack Quartet (Nov. 3) and the San Francisco Contemporary Music Players (Nov. 10).
THIBAULT CAUVIN, GUITAR
Sacramento Guitar Society
When: 8 p.m. Nov. 3; 2 p.m. Nov. 4
Where: Scott-Skillman Recital Hall, Three Stages, 10 College Parkway, Folsom Lake College, Folsom
Tickets: $15-$45
Information: (916) 608-6888; www.sacramentoguitarsociety.org
What: The 27-year-old Paris-born guitarist won 13 grand prizes for his playing by the time he was 20. He's making a name for himself internationally with his penchant for discovering new works for the guitar and is part of a new generation of classical guitarists that is redefining the instrument.
PHILHARMONIA BAROQUE
Emanuel Ax, piano
When: 8 p.m. Nov. 7
Where: Jackson Hall, Mondavi Center, UC Davis
Tickets: $45-$85
Information: (866) 754-2787; www.MondaviArts.org
What: This excellent period- instrument orchestra performs an all-Beethoven program that includes Beethoven's Concerto No. 4 for Fortepiano in G major, Op. 58 (with Emanuel Ax), and the seldom-performed Symphony No. 4 in B-flat major, Op. 60. Nicholas McGegan conducts.
"BARBER OF SEVILLE"
Sacramento Opera
When: 8 p.m. Nov. 16; 2 p.m. Nov. 18
Where: Community Center Theater, 1301 L St., Sacramento
Tickets: $19-$79
Information: (916) 737-1000; www.sacopera.org
What: The Sacramento Opera presents Rossini's comic gem "The Barber of Seville" as its full-length opera and anchor of the 2012-13 season.
SALLY TURK & MATHEW KREJCI, FLUTES
Chamber Music Society of Sacramento
When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8-9
Where: Bet Haverim Synagogue, 1715 Anderson Road, Davis (Dec. 8); St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 1430 J St., Sacramento (Dec. 9)
Tickets: $28
Information: (916) 443-2908; www.cmssacto.org
What: The instrument gets its due with the appearance of Texas-based flutist Sally Turk and standout Chamber Music Society flutist Mathew Krejci in a duo concert that offers Bach's Brandenburg Concertos 3 through 5 and Bach's Trio Sonata from "The Musical Offering."
© Copyright The Sacramento Bee. All rights reserved.
• Read more articles by Edward Ortiz
Order Reprint
About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "Report Abuse" link below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.