Month: November 2012

Thanksgiving day is the perfect time to consider your plans for celebrating the holidays.  So take a little time this afternoon, before Black Friday hits, to think about what Celebrating the Holidays really means.  Regardless of your religious affiliation, or lack thereof, these end-of-year holidays are a perfect time to celebrate everything that’s good about life here on Earth.  Music plays a major part in enriching everyone’s lives here on Cape Ann, making music one of the best vehicles for celebration.

Here are some gems to consider over the next month or so (don’t forget about the abundance of music this weekend — see full live music lineup here.)

Berklee in Gloucester Indie Rock Night — one week from tonight at Latitude 43, you can hear new music from some of Boston and Gloucester’s best young musicians and recent Berklee graduates — and you’ll be helping to send a Gloucester Student to Berklee.
Get tickets here.

Soul infused vocal rock from Overboard at the Old Sloop Coffeehouse on December 8th.  Get tickets here.

And here’s the skinny on upcoming holiday shows at Shalin Liu Performance Center sent to us by Karen Herlitz

CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS WITH MUSIC

Celebrate the Holiday Season with Rockport Music!  From hard-swinging jazz pianist Cyrus Chestnut to A Christmas Celtic Sojourn to an afternoon at the Met Opera, take the opportunity to hear these artists in an intimate setting with exemplary acoustics– the Shalin Liu Performance Center!

Experience the unique interpretation of A Christmas Carol by the Firebird Ensemble on Wednesday, December 5, at 7 pm (Please Note: Date has changed from Thursday, December 6).  TheFirebird Ensemble has been described as “ambitious and eclectic” by the New York Times and has earned a reputation as one of the premier new music ensembles in the United States. Known for its virtuosic performances and wide audience appeal, Firebird Ensemble’s musical interpretations are drawn from diverse sources and genres.  This concert is free and open to the public, no tickets required.

Led by jazz pianist Cyrus Chestnut, the Cyrus Chestnut Trio performs Sunday, December 9, at 5 pm in a special holiday program of jazz and holiday favorites.  Cyrus’ hard swinging, soulful interpretations set him apart from many musicians today.  A graduate of Berklee School of Music, Chestnut has worked with such celebrated artists as Wynton Marsalis, Dizzy Gillespie, Chick Corea, and legendary Betty Carter, as well such artists as artists in other musical genres like Vanessa Williams, Kathleen Battle, Bette Midler, and Isaac Hayes.  Chestnut is known for blending such styles of Gospel, blues, as well as tones of Jelly Roll Morton’s ragtime and early jazz.

The New York Times hails, “His brand of crisp articulation and blues-inflected harmony evokes another era…multifaceted and dynamic…Mr. Chestnut was the evening’s star and he brought charisma to the role…”  Additionally, Time Magazine states that, “what makes Chestnut the best jazz pianist of his generation is a willingness to abandon notes and play space.”  Chestnut’s new album, Journeys, is his most compelling to date—his playing is lyrical, timeless, and always deeply soulful.  Tickets are $18-$32.

Ring in the holidays with the New England Ringers performing classical and holiday favorites on Sunday, December 16 at 5 pm.  This fifteen-member highly energetic ensemble plays advanced handbell works with a blend of musical moods and styles—from classical transcriptions, familiar favorites, and original compositions, all with a touch of entertaining humor.   Tickets are $15-$28.

On Monday, December 17 at 4:30 and 8 pm, A Christmas Celtic Sojourn returns to Rockport Music to celebrate the holidays!  Brian O’Donovan’s acclaimed Celtic holiday show returns this year to perform in two SOLD-OUT performances featuring a stellar line-up of singers, musicians, and dancers steeped in Celtic tradition and traditional Irish cheer.   Tickets are $39-$58.

On Saturday, December 22, at 7 pm (Please Note: Date changed from Saturday, December 15), Rockport Music will host the annual Holiday Community Sing featuring Rockport High School Madrigal Singers led by Patti Pike and host Bill Hausman.  This concert follows the Rockport Christmas Pageant held earlier the same day.  It is free and open to the public, no tickets required.

Met Opera Live in HD

The Metropolitan Opera Live in HD is broadcast directly from New York with behind-the-scenes interviews and a “front row” perspective of the opera.  Tickets are reserved seating and range $20-$32.

On Saturday, December 1, the Met Opera Live in HD presents Mozart’s La Clemenza di Titowith Giuseppe Filianot as the title character, a Roman emperor and Barbara Frittoli as the vengeful Vitellia, daughter of the deposed ruler.

On Saturday, December 8, the Met Opera Live in HD presents Verdi’s Un Ballo in Maschera, a story of jealousy and vengeance starring Sondra Radvanovsky as Amelia, Marcelo Álvarez as Gustavo Ill, and Dmitri Hvorostovsky as Anckarström.

On Saturday, December 15, the Met Opera Live in HD presents Verdi’s Aidastars Liudmyla Monastyrska as the enslaved Ethiopian princess and Olga Borodina sings her royal rival Amneris.

For tickets and more information on these and other concerts/events in the 2012-13 Season, please visit our website at www.rockportmusic.org.  Tickets are also available through the Box Office at 978-546-7391 or visiting 35 Main Street, Rockport, MA.  The Box Office is open Monday-Friday, 10am-4 pm.