Hélène Grimaud
Sept. 17, Newman Center for the Performing Arts
starts its season with a true star of the classical genre. is a hot commodity right now for both her piano playing and her passion for animal causes. The program ranges from Ravel and Debussy to Liszt and Janacek.
303-388-9839 or
Opera on Tap
Sept. 16, Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret
The new “Eclectique Tuesdays” series at is full of surprises, some classical, some not. But this event matches one of the city’s most affable performing groups with one of its most comfortable spaces. Anything can happen at this mix of music and comedy, including selections from “Madama Butterfly” and “Carmen.”
303-293-0075 or lannies.com
Colorado Symphony Orchestra, conducting
Sept. 18-19, Boettcher Concert Hall
The CSO kicks it off loud, opening its 2014-15 season with a night of Beethoven. Music Director Litton will be on the podium and the Chorus will be on the risers for the “Choral Fantasy for Piano, Chorus and Orchestra” and then big Symphony No. 9. Rachel Nicholls is the soprano and John Mac Master sings tenor.
303-623-7876 or coloradosymphony.org
Takács Quartet
Sept. 21-22, Grusin Music Hall, University of Colorado, Boulder
We are lucky to have this highly skilled quartet in our Front Range stable, even if they have to squeeze their local performances between the gigs they play at the top concert halls in the U.S. and Europe. This Sunday and Monday set of concerts is all Mozart and Beethoven.
303-492-8008 or cupresents.org
Emerson String Quartet
Oct. 1, Newman Center for the Performing Arts
With nine Grammys in their pockets, the is among the most heralded ensembles in the U.S. Friends of Chamber Music brings the group for an evening that bounces from Purcell to Haydn to Shostakovich.
303-388-9839 or
Pro Musica Colorado Chamber Orchestra
Oct. 17, Montview Presbyterian Church, Denver; Oct. 18, First United Methodist Church, Boulder
presents an ambitious night of Vaughan Williams and Mozart, plus Samuel Barber’s poignant “Knoxville: Summer of 1915.” Soprano Amanda Balestrier, who recently sang the piece with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, gives a welcome encore.
720-443-0565 or promusicacolorado.org
Colorado Symphony Orchestra, with Pinchas Zukerman
Nov. 7-16, and Newman Center for the Performing Arts
One of the most promising happenings of fall is the mini-residency of violinist Pinchas Zukerman with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. Zukerman is a living legend, and he’ll be here for a week-plus showing off his various talents. It starts with a three-day, all-Mozart, masterworks program that has Zukerman conducting and playing, and includes the “Requiem” (and the Full CSO chorus). On Nov. 14, an irresistible “Evening with Pinchas Zukerman” promises to get a little up close and personal. It ends Nov. 16 with an afternoon performance at the intimate Newman Center.
303-623-7876 or coloradosymphony.org
303-871-7720 or newmancenterpresents.com
“Madama Butterfly”
Nov. 15-23, Ellie Caulkins Opera House
shakes up its schedule this season performing one of its two titles in the fall. Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly,” one of the top 10 most-staged operas each year worldwide, should prove an audience favorite. Ari Pelto conducts, Keturah Stickann directs and Xiu Ying Li sings the role of Cio-Cio San.
303-468-2030 or operacolorado.org
Yumi Hwang-Williams, Andrew Litton, Michael Thornton
Nov. 18, Newman Center for the Performing Arts
This event offers a terrific opportunity to hear three bright lights from the Colorado Symphony Orchestra in a different venue. Faculty member Hwang-Williams (violin) invites conductor Litton (piano) and fellow musician Thornton (horn) to this intimate setting. And it’s just $10.
303-871- 6412 or newmantix.com/lamont
Ray Mark Rinaldi: 303-954-1540, rrinaldi@denverpost.com or twitter.com/rayrinaldi
