From Little Island to Long Island, 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.
American Ballet Theatre presents the New York premiere of Wayne McGregor’s Woolf Works June 25-29 at the Metropolitan Opera House. The three-act ballet, set to an original score by Max Richter, is inspired by three works by Virginia Woolf: Mrs. Dalloway, Orlando, and The Waves. Woolf Works is the second piece inspired by the work of Virginia Woolf to be performed on the Met stage this year, following a revival of Kevin Puts’ opera The Hours this past spring.
ROBESOИ, a new work exploring the legacy of bass-baritone Paul Robeson, will play at Little Island June 26-29 with an official opening set for June 27. The piece, which explores the legacy and diverse and dynamic musical repertoire of Paul Robeson, from the stage of Carnegie Hall to a Moscow hotel room, is created and performed by Davóne Tines with co-creation and direction by Zack Winokur.
On Site Opera’s summer Opera in the Garden series continues June 26 at the West Side Garden with a concert of excerpts from La Traviata. Soprano Laura Soto-Bayomi, tenor Chauncey Packer, and baritone Stephen Gaertner will wander the garden singing selections from Verdi’s iconic score, featuring some of opera’s most enduring tunes.
The Orchestra of St. Luke’s 2024 Bach Festival at Carnegie Hall continues June 25 with “Bach and Sons,” featuring works not just by Johann Sebastian Bach, but also by his sons Johann Christian and Carl Philipp Emmanuel Bach. The program will also include W.A. Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 9. Kristian Bezuidenhout will conduct as well as playing the fortepiano.
The Chelsea Music Festival’s 15th season continues through June 29 at various venues in Manhattan. Performances this week include the Lee Trio performing selections from their new album Midsummer Night Magic, featuring works by Adès, Schumann, Uljas Pulkkis, and Dvořák; Completed Resonances, a concert of chamber music by Beranek, Fauré, and Smetana; and Reimagined Gems— Vignettes Across Time, a concert featuring contemporary works by Caroline Shaw, Ania Vu, and Remy Le Boeuf, alongside classic works by Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel and Arcangelo Corelli.
The Paul Taylor Dance Company will perform at the Joyce Theatre June 25-30. The company will perform two different programs of works from the choreographer’s catalog. The first program will include Duets, set to music by Haydn; Big Bertha, set to music from the St. Louis Melody Museum collection of band machines; Private Domain, set to music by Xenakis; and Airs, set to music by Handel. The second program will include Runes, set to an original score by Gerald Busby; Post Meridian, set to music by Evelyn Lohoefer de Boeck; and Brandenburgs, set to music by Bach.
Drag artist and tenor Jasmine Rice LaBeija will perform at Wave Hill in the Bronx June 27, presented by Carnegie Hall Citywide. The event is free and open to the public.
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