From fantasy kingdoms to galactic empires, 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 kicks off their summer season at the Metropolitan Opera with Swan Lake running June 10-14. Kevin McKenzie鈥檚 production of Tchaikovsky's ballet, a staple of the company鈥檚 repertoire, celebrates its 25th year this season. Such staying power would have been hard to imagine when the ballet flopped upon its initial premiere in 1877. But it was revived shortly after the composer鈥檚 death, and gained in popularity over the course of the following decades, to the point that it is now difficult to imagine a ballet season without it.
The Metropolitan Opera's season is done, but the Met Orchestra continues to play, coming to Carnegie Hall June 12 with an all-Strauss program. The orchestra, led by Music Director Yannick N茅zet-S茅guin, will play Strauss' suite from the opera Der Rosenkavalier, and the tone poem Ein Heldenleben. Soprano Elza van den Heever will join to perform selected orchestral songs, capping off a season of Strauss which saw her playing the Empress in Die Frau ohne Schatten and the titular role in Salome.
The Met Opera's annual summer recital series also runs this week with concerts in various parks around New York City June 9-16. On June 14 at Brooklyn Bridge Park and June 16 at Central Park Summer Stage, soprano Janai Brugger, tenor Jack Swanson, and baritone Benjamin Taylor will perform alongside pianist Howard Watkins. The remaining concerts will feature soprano Tessa McQueen, mezzo-soprano Hannah Jones, bass-baritone Sunghoon Han, and pianist Marian Bombrun.
Harlem Opera Theater presents Anthony Davis鈥� Amistad at the Church of the Intercession in Harlem June 13. The opera, with a libretto by Thulani Davis, is based on the revolt led by Joseph Cinqu茅 aboard the Spanish slave ship La Amistad. Cinqu茅 and the other kidnapped Africans were tried for mutiny, with the case ultimately making its way to the Supreme Court, where a landmark decision was reached.
The Orchestra of St. Luke's annual Bach festival continues at Carnegie Hall June 10 with violinist Th茅otime Langlois de Swarte, who will both conduct and perform as soloist for two Violin Concertos in A Minor, by J.S. Bach and Jean-Marie LeClair. The program will also include selections from Bach's orchestral suites, including the famous "Air on the G String", and additional works by Baroque composers Lully, Rebel, and Matteis.
The New York Philharmonic will perform John Williams' film score to Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back and Lincoln Center's David Geffen Hall June 11-14. Sarah Hicks will lead the orchestra in performing the film score live to a screening of the complete film.
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