While baritone Patrick Mason has long been esteemed by colleagues and cognoscenti in the vocal world, his reputation got a huge boost in December when he was nominated for a Grammy Award.
The associate professor of voice at the University of Colorado at Boulder was cited in the category of best classical vocal performance for his recording of art songs by the little-known American composer Amy Beach (1867-1944).
Days before the Grammy winners are announced, area audiences will have an opportunity to experience Mason’s singing live and cheer him on, when he appears as part of the CU College of Music’s annual faculty series in Grusin Music Hall.
The program, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Feb. 6, is titled “Crossing the Pond” and features British and American art songs by Robert Quilter, Noel Coward, John Harbison and John Musto. Making the event even more enticing, admission is free.
Mason will also take part in another faculty concert, at 7:30 p.m. March 13, serving as soloist in a performance of Elliott Carter’s “Three Poems of Robert Frost” as part of a program of 20th-century vocal and chamber music.
Here is an overview of 10 other classical events through June worth noting:
Edward Dusinberre, violin, Nicholas Carthy, conductor, Boulder Philharmonic
Feb. 3, Macky Auditorium, University of Colorado at Boulder
The English-born violinist is most widely known as the powerful anchor of the renowned Boulder-based Takács Quartet. This concert will give him an opportunity to show off his talents as a soloist. 303-449-1343 or boulderphil.org
Eighth Blackbird
Feb. 7, Friends of Chamber Music, Gates Concert Hall, Newman Center for the Performing Arts, University of Denver
This young ensemble has made a career of focusing on the new. Eschewing Brahms and Beethoven, it presents music by living composers, often works it has commissioned. 303-388-9839 or friendsofchambermusic.com
Gaetano Donizetti’s “L’Elisir d’Amore (The Elixir of Love)”
Feb. 9, 11, 14, 16 and 18, Opera Colorado, Ellie Caulkins Opera House
This new production, complete with a Model T ice-cream truck, shifts this comic story to a county fair in Middle America in the 1910s. Company favorite Maria Kanyova returns in the role of Adina. 303-357-2787 or operacolorado.org
Eliot Fisk, guitar, Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra
March 21, Newman Center Presents, Gates Concert Hall
Visits by major chamber orchestras are rare enough in Denver, and this one has the added appeal of a first-rate soloist. Besides popular works, such as the Adagio for Strings, the program will include a world premiere by Daniel Bernard Roumain. 303-357-2787 or ticketmaster.com
Christopher O’Riley, piano
April 11, Seawell Ballroom
This solo recital, which will include the pianist’s much-publicized transcriptions of Radiohead songs, leads off a week of activities in collaboration with the Colorado Symphony. On April 15, he joins pianist/conductor Jeffrey Kahane for an exploration of piano repertoire. 303-623-7876 or coloradosymphony.org.
Giuseppe Verdi’s “Un Ballo in Maschera (A Masked Ball)”
April 26 and 29 and May 2, 5 and 8, Opera Colorado, Ellie Caulkins Opera House.
This popular work is the only Verdi opera written between “La Traviata” and “Aida” that has been consistently performed since its creation. A new production will place the action in its original 1700s Swedish setting. 303-357-2787 or operacolorado.org
Stephen Hough, piano
May 2, Friends of Chamber Music, Gates Concert Hall.
To get a sense of Hough’s distinctive place in the piano world, consider that he is a 2001 recipient of a MacArthur Foundation “genius grant.” He likes to explore offbeat repertoire, a penchant that will be in richly in evidence on this program, which will mix the familiar and unfamiliar. 303-388-9839 or friendsofchambermusic.com
Joshua Bell, violin, Scott O’Neil, conductor
May 9, Colorado Symphony, Boettcher Concert Hall
From an appearance on a Josh Grobin album to streams of press coverage, few classical performers have done a better job of reaching out to mainstream audiences. Such efforts have made him a big draw, and it’s a sure bet this concert will be sold out. 303-623-7876 or coloradosymphony.org
Edgar Meyer, double bass, Jon Kimura Pparker, piano, Jeffrey Kahane, conductor
May 25-27, Colorado Symphony, Boettcher Concert Hall
Talk about a program that has something for everyone. This concert will combine Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” with the Double Bass Concerto No. 2 by Meyer, who is both a first-rate composer and soloist. And that’s just the start. 303-623-7876 or coloradosymphony.org
Jeffrey Kahane, piano and conductor, Colorado Symphony
June 1 and 2, Boettcher Concert Hall
The CSO is one of the few symphonies that can boast a music director who is a fine conductor and a superb pianist. Both talents will be on view during this weekend, as Kahane leads performances of Beethoven’s five piano concertos. 303-623-7876 or coloradosymphony.org
Fine arts critic Kyle MacMillan can be reached at 303-954-1675 or kmacmillan@denverpost.com.
