Innocence, Nixon in China, and More: What's Happening in Classic Arts This Week

From John Adams to Richard Nixon, 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.

The Metropolitan Opera presents Innocence, the final opera by Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho, in a new production by Simon Stone opening April 6. Set at a wedding in Helsinki, the opera's drama unfolds as it is revealed that the groom's brother was the perpetrator of a school shooting ten years prior. Mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato stars as the Waitress, whose daughter Markéta was one of the victims of the shooting, with Finnish folk singer Vilma Jää appearing as Markéta, reprising the role she played in the opera's 2021 premiere. The cast also includes soprano Jacquelyn Stucker as the Bride, tenor Miles Mykkanen as the Groom, soprano Kathleen Kim as the Mother-in-law, baritone Rod Gilfry as the Father-in-law, bass Stephen Milling as the Priest, and soprano Lucy Shelton as the Teacher. Susanna Mälkki conducts.

Soprano Golda Schultz joins the New York Philharmonic April 8-10 to perform Samuel Barber's Knoxville: Summer of 1915. Schultz will also sing arias from Carlisle Floyd's Susannah and Igor Stravinsky's The Rake's Progress. Kwamé Ryan will conduct the program, which also includes Charles Ives' The Unanswered Question, Barber's Second Essay for Orchestra, and a world premiere concerto by George Lewis featuring percussion and piano quartet Yarn/Wire.

The Boston Symphony Orchestra will perform two concerts at Carnegie Hall this week. On April 9, Andris Nelsons will lead the orchestra in three scenes from John Adams' opera Nixon in China, with soprano Renée Fleming, baritone Thomas Hampson, and the Tanglewood Festival Chorus. The program will also include Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9, "From the New World." On April 10, the orchestra will be joined by pianist Lang Lang for a performance of Edvard Grieg's piano concerto, paired with Sibelius' Symphony No. 1, and the New York premiere of Outi Tarkiainen's Day Night Day.

The Kaufman Music Center and Concert Artists Guild present the Poiesis Quartet and pianist Amiri Harewood in concert on April 10, performance a wide-ranging program, framed by Gabriela Lena Frank's Tres Homenajes, the three movements of which will be dispersed throughout the concert. The symmetrically-arranged program will also include works by Bach, Shostakovich, Brian Nabors, and Jerod Impichchaachaaha' Tate

The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center will present a program of Hungarian music April 10 at Alice Tully Hall. Pianist Anna Geniushene, violinists Yura Lee and Arnaud Sussmann, violist Daniel Phillips, and cellist Nicholas Canellakis will perform works by Franz Liszt, Béla Bartók, György Ligeti, and Ernő Dohnányi On April 12, the Society will present an all-French program, including works by Camille Saint-Saëns, Henri Duparc, Maurice Ravel, and Gabrielle Fauré. The April 12 program will feature soprano Erika Baikoff, pianists Ken Noda and Orion Weiss, violinist Lun Li, violist Matthew Lipman, cellist David Requiro, and flautist Sooyun Kim.

The Martha Graham Dance Company celebrates its 100th season with six performances at New York City Center running April 8-12. The company will perform four works by Graham: Night Journey, Chronical, Appalachian Spring, and Diversion of Angels. The performances will also include works by other choreographers, including a world premiere by Jamar Roberts, and the New York premiere of En Masse by Hope Boykin. David Hayes will conduct the Mannes Orchestra.

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