Krannert Announces Busy Winter Performance Schedule
January 03, 2006
Urbana - Krannert Center for the Performing Arts has launched into the new year with a distinguished cluster of performances representing wide-ranging audience appeal. For family audiences there are performances of both the Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake ballets (presented by the Russian National Ballet) January 18-20, as well as the visual artistry and storytelling of Michael Cooper in his one-man show Masked Marvels and Wondertales, January 22.
Singer/songwriter Lyle Lovett brings his Acoustic Trio to Krannert Center on January 27 for one performance (tickets go on sale at 10am, January 17).
Classical music enthusiasts can hear two outstanding string quartets and two performances by London’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. The young German ensemble, Kuss Quartet, presents a Sunday Salon Series performance on January 29, playing music of Bach, Berg, Mozart, and Mendelssohn. The St. Lawrence String Quartet is joined by pianist Wu Han and cellist David Finckel for its January 22 Chamber Music Series concert. The Schumann/Schubert program is preceded by a Prelude discussion with the artists.
The Royal Philharmonic offers a program of Sibelius, Mozart, and Tchaikovsky works on January 25, with Matthias Bamert on the podium and violinist Joan Kwuon as soloist. On January 26, Krannert Center highlights American musical icon George Gershwin. Marvin Hamlisch leads the RPO in a Gershwin Gala that includes the classics Rhapsody in Blue featuring pianist Viv McLean and An American in Paris. Before the concert, Alison Semmes sings Gershwin songs in the lobby, and the Chris Reyman Trio presents an Afterglow of jazzy Gershwin at Interlude’s Stage 5. Gershwin aficionados may purchase a $150 “Gala ticket” for the evening that includes premium seating for the concert and a champagne reception with conductor Marvin Hamlisch.
Thursday evening Krannert Uncorked events resume on January 19. The first Krannert Uncorked of the new year offers a tasting of both wine and sodas as well as music by guitarist Megan Johns.
School of Music faculty artists are also featured during the month of January, with recital, chamber music, and orchestral fare from Mark Moore (tuba), Elliot Chasanov (trombone), Kenneth Steinsultz (euphonium), William Heiles (piano), Timothy Ehlen (piano), and Dana Hall (jazz drums).
CALENDAR:
Russian National Ballet: The Sleeping Beauty
Sergei Radchenko, artistic director
Wednesday-Thursday, January 18-19 at 7pm
Tryon Festival Theatre
Flex: $36 / SC & Stu 35 / UI & Yth 16
Single: $38 / SC & Stu 37 / UI & Yth 18
The Russian National Ballet toured North America in 1999 to critical acclaim and now returns with a classic Petipa ballet that unfolds to evocative music by Tchaikovsky. Wicked and benevolent fairies cast their magic upon Princess Aurora, the “sleeping beauty” whose prince awakens her from 100 years of sleep. Recommended for ages 10 and up.
Krannert Uncorked
Megan Johns, guitar
Thursday, January 19 at 5pm
Lobby
Free
With partners Sun Singer Wine & Spirits, The Corkscrew Wine Emporium, Friar Tuck Beverage, and Persimmon Grocery, we're showcasing the best in beverages. Special soft drinks and wines will be available for tasting and purchase at a discounted price. This evening also features music from guitarist Megan Johns and the Krannert Center Student Association leads a building tour at 5:50pm.
Mark Moore, tuba
Thursday, January 19 at 7:30pm
Foellinger Great Hall
$6 / SC 5 / Stu 2
Join this faculty artist as he presents a recital of music for the lowest instrument of the brass family.
Russian National Ballet: Swan Lake
Sergei Radchenko, artistic director
Friday, January 20 at 7pm
Tryon Festival Theatre
Flex: $36 / SC & Stu 35 / UI & Yth 16
Single: $38 / SC & Stu 37 / UI & Yth 18
The Russian National Ballet toured North America in 1999 to critical acclaim and now returns with a classic Petipa ballet that unfolds to evocative music by Tchaikovsky. The magical world of Swan Lake reveals the tragic love story of Prince Siegfried and Odette, the Swan Queen who has been bewitched by the evil sorcerer Von Rotbart.
Recommended for ages 10 and up.
Kenneth Steinsultz, euphonium
Friday, January 20 at 7:30pm
Foellinger Great Hall
$6 / SC 5 / Stu 2
Hear works by Ross, Gillingham, and Sibbing, Llewellyn's famous My Regards, and the world premiere of U of I composition graduate Edward Martin's Swirling Sea for euphonium and electro-acoustic accompaniment.
Michael Cooper: Masked Marvels and Wondertales
Sunday, January 22 at 3pm
Tryon Festival Theatre
Flex: $16 / SC & Stu 15 / UI & Yth 6
Single: $18 / SC & Stu 17 / UI & Yth 8
An eye-popping visual artist and virtuoso mime, Michael Cooper uses fantastical masks and theatrical magic to tell gentle, uplifting stories that spark the imagination. Cooper’s amazing array of hand-made masks--from animals and people to representations of the sun and wind--mesmerize both kids and adults.
Recommended for ages 3 and up.
Prelude: St. Lawrence String Quartet with David Finckel, cello and Wu Han, piano
Sunday, January 22 at 6:30pm
Krannert Room
Free
Preludes offer an opportunity to interact with the musicians appearing in the Chamber Music Series. These informal conversations offer insight into the music they will be presenting as well as about the musicians performing it.
St. Lawrence String Quartet with David Finckel, cello and Wu Han, piano
Sunday, January 22 at 7:30pm
Foellinger Great Hall
Flex: $32 / SC & Stu 31 / UI & Yth 18
Single: $34 / SC & Stu 33 / UI & Yth 20
Six probing, expressive music-makers present an evening of Schumann and Schubert in duo and quintet combinations: the Adagio and Allegro for Cello and Piano and the Piano Quintet of Schumann, and the Cello Quintet of Schubert.
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Matthias Bamert, conductor
Joan Kwuon, violin
Wednesday, January 25 at 7:30pm
Foellinger Great Hall
Flex: $47 / SC & Stu 46 / UI & Yth 30
Single: $49 / SC & Stu 48 / UI & Yth 32
Blending old world tradition and new world energy, this British institution celebrates Mozart‘s anniversary year with American violinist Joan Kwuon taking the solo spotlight for the Violin Concerto No. 4 in D Major, K. 218. Maestro Bamert also leads the orchestra in the Karelia Suite and Tchaikovsky’s “Pathetique Symphony.”
Krannert Uncorked
Thursday, January 26 at 5pm
Lobby
Free
With partners Sun Singer Wine & Spirits, The Corkscrew Wine Emporium, Friar Tuck Beverage, and Persimmon Grocery, we're showcasing the best in beverages. Beverages introduced on these evenings will be available at a discounted price during the tasting.
Gershwin Gala Pre-Concert: Allison Semmes Sings Gershwin
Teresa Kang, piano
Thursday, January 26 at 6:30pm
Lobby
Free
Vocalist Allison Semmes sets the mood for an evening-long gala celebration of George Gershwin's music with a short presentation of songs at Interlude's Stage 5.
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra: A Gershwin Gala
Marvin Hamlisch, conductor
Viv McLean, piano
Thursday, January 26 at 7:30pm
Foellinger Great Hall
Flex: $47 / SC & Stu 46 / UI & Yth 30
Single: $49 / SC & Stu 48 / UI & Yth 32
Gala Ticket (remium seating and champagne reception): $150
Pianist/composer/conductor Marvin Hamlisch “strikes up the band” for a “s’wonderful” evening of Gershwin classics, including An American in Paris, Rhapsody in Blue, selections from Porgy and Bess, and orchestral arrangements of tunes from the Gershwin songbook.
Afterglow: Chris Reyman Trio Plays Gershwin
Thursday, January 26 about 10pm
Lobby
Free
After an evening of familiar and beloved orchestral Gershwin, enjoy the lesser-known music of the great American composer as performed by a School of Music student ensemble, the Chris Reyman Trio, in the “club-style” setting of Interlude.
UI Symphony Orchestra
Donald Schleicher, conductor
Timothy Ehlen and William Heiles, pianists
Friday, January 27 at 7:30pm
Foellinger Great Hall
$6 / SC 5 / Stu 2
Two School of Music faculty artists join the orchestra for a Mozart birthday concert featuring the Piano Concerto No. 20 in D Minor, K. 466 and the Piano Concerto No. 24 in C Minor, K. 491. Also enjoy the Overture to Abduction from the Seraglio, K. 384 and the "Haffner Symphony," K. 385.
Lyle Lovett Acoustic Trio
Tuesday, January 17.
Friday, January 27 at 7:30pm
Tryon Festival Theatre
Flex: $40 / SC & Stu 39 / UI & Yth 30
Single: $42 / SC & Stu 41 / UI & Yth 32
With longtime trio mates James Gilmer (percussion) and John Hagen (cello), Grammy-winning interpreter Lyle Lovett sings his own songs and those of others he admires with the "humble elegance" and straightforward honesty that inform his persona.
Elliot Chasanov, trombone
Saturday, January 28 at 7:30pm
Foellinger Great Hall
$6 / SC 5 / Stu 2
Join this accomplished trombonist and School of Music faculty artist for a performance that will be sure to please.
Kuss Quartet
Sunday, January 29 at 3pm
Foellinger Great Hall
Flex: $32 / SC & Stu 31 / UI & Yth 18
Single: $34 / SC & Stu 33 / UI & Yth 20
Balcony: $10 / UI & Yth 5
The commanding, sympathetic artistry of this dynamic quartet from Germany is propelling it to the top of international chamber music charts. The Kuss performs music of Bach, Mozart, Berg, and Mendelssohn. Ticket prices include light refreshments served at 2:15pm; balcony seating does not include refreshments.
Dana Hall, jazz drums
Sunday, January 29 at 7:30pm
Foellinger Great Hall
$6 / SC 5 / Stu 2
Terell Stafford, trumpet and flugelhorn; Tim Warfield, Jr., tenor and alto saxophones; Ron Perillo, keyboard; and Ed Howard, bass. Hall premieres new pieces written for his ensemble for a Spring recording session, as well as his arrangements of selected jazz standards and popular songs by Quincy Jones, BJ Gudmundsdottir, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, and others.
For Tickets and Further Information:
800/KCPATIX or 217/333-6280; TTY: 217/333-9714
Email: kran-tix@uiuc.edu
Web Site: http://www.krannertcenter.com