October at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts offers a full menu of enticing possibilities for the arts lover. You know how you sometimes ask for recommendations at a fine restaurant? Well, I’m Nicole, and I’ll be your guide. I’m sure you’ll find something wonderful for every taste.
The National Symphony Orchestra kicks off its Fall season with a Fifth of Beethoven—make that two Fifths—as Gianandrea Noseda conducts the orchestra in Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony through October 5th and Beethoven’s 5th Piano Concerto, the “Emperor” with the celebrated pianist Leif Ove Andsnes the following week.
There’s a mini Richard Strauss festival, too, presenting three facets of that composer’s art: The Four Last Songs with soprano Rachel Willis-Sørensen through October 5 th, the tone poem Ein Heldenleben October 10-13 and the following week, Strauss’ opera Capriccio with Renée Fleming.
October 31-Nov 2, Gianandrea Noseda conducts an NSO co-commission: Alexander Raskatov’s Time’s River written for the principal oboe of the Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam, Alexei Ogrintchouk who will perform it with the NSO. Also on the program Tchaikovsky’s last Symphony, NO.6, the “Pathétique.”
Let’s not forget the kids. NSO Family Concerts present Spells of the Sea, October 10-20 and the traditional Halloween Spooktacular on October 25th.
Just before our presidential election, Washington National Opera opens their season with Fidelio October 25-November 4. Beethoven’s only opera is a powerful hymn to freedom.
Wagnerites will thrill at WNO’s presentation of Gods & Mortals: A Celebration of Wagner featuring Christine Goerke, Brandon Jovanovich, Derek Welton and Soloman Howard.
The Fortas Chamber Music opens with the Sphinx Virtuosi October 19 and the Isidore String Quartet October 30.
The varied offerings (and there are a lot more in all genres that I have not had the time to include here) are a testament to that mission, and just the beginning of a rich and fascinating season
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