From Christmas Carols to Lewis Carroll, the classic arts scene in New York is never quiet. Here is just a sampling of some of the classic arts events happening this week.
Lincoln Center Theater's new production of Amahl and the Night Visitors begins performances December 16. Mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato stars in Gian Carlo Menotti's family Christmas opera, which tells the story of a young boy named Amahl whose house is visited by three kings on their way to Bethlehem. DiDonato plays Amahl's Mother, alongside Albert Rhodes Jr. as Amahl, Phillip Boykin as King Balthazar, Bernard Holcomb as King Kaspar, and Todd Thomas as King Melchior. Kenny Leon directs the production at Lincoln Center Theater's Off-Broadway Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater.
The New York Philharmonic will perform Home Alone in Concert December 17-20 at Lincoln Center's David Geffen Hall. Conductor Constantine Kitsopoulos will lead the orchestra and the Brooklyn Youth Chorus in a performance of John Williams' film score performed live to a screening of the 1990 Chris Columbus film.
Maxim Vengerov's three-year residency at Carnegie Hall kicks off its second season December 16 with "Maxim Vengerov and Friends," a concert featuring violinist Vilde Frang, violist James Ehnes, cellist Daniel Müller-Schott, pianist Yefim Bronfman, and clarinettist Anthony McGill performing an all-Brahms program. The works featured will be Brahm's Piano Quintet and Clarinet Quintet. Carnegie Hall will also host performances this week from Musica Sacra with soprano Kathryn Lewek (December 17); and the New York Pops with guest artist Megan Hilty (December 19 and 20).
Dancer-illusionist company MOMIX begins performances of Alice at the Joyce Theater December 16. Inspired by Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, the dance work by Moses Pendleton features a blend of dance, music, costumes, and projected imagery to take the audience along on Alice's surreal adventure.
The Metropolitan Opera's holiday production of The Magic Flute continues this week through the end of the year. Julie Taymor's vibrant production has been a mainstay at the Met since its premiere in 2004, and the abridged English holiday production has been a near-annual tradition for nearly as long. Erin Yashima and Steven White share conducting duties, leading two alternating casts of stars including sopranos Ein Morley and Joélle Harvey as Pamina; tenors Joshua Blue and Paul Appleby as Tamino; baritones Joshua Hopkins and Michael Sumuel as Papageno; and sopranos Aigul Khismatullina and Rainelle Krause as the Queen of the Night.
George Balanchine's The Nutcracker, meanwhile, continues performances at Lincoln Center's David H. Koch Theatre through January 4. New York City Ballet's annual tradition features the company's entire roster of more than 150 dancers and musicians, as well as more than 120 children from the School of American Ballet.
The Ivalas Quartet will be joined by klezmer clarinetist David Krakauer December 15 at the Kaufman Music Center's Merkin Concert Hall for a performance of Osvaldo Golijov's Dreams and Payers of Isaac The Blind. Named after the 13th-century French kabbalist rabbi, the work incorporates kelzmer, classical, liturgical, and popular music.
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