Three Chicago musical organizations are offering Britten mini-festivals and concert series in celebration of the British composer's 100th anniversary--ranging from song recitals to trumpet fanfares to film screenings. Here is a sample of those festivals' highest notes:
2013 Collaborative Works Festival
THE HEART OF THE MATTER: 100 Years of Benjamin Britten
The Collaborative Works Festival continues with a solo recital presented by countertenor David Daniels and pianist Martin Katz, tonight at 7:30 p.m.
Daniels made history when he presented the first solo recital ever by a countertenor in Carnegie Hall's main auditorium. He was Giulio Cesare in the Metropolitan Opera production of the Handel opera last season, and Lyric Opera of Chicago fans will remember that he sang Rinaldo in the Lyric's memorable production two seasons ago.
This is a rare chance to hear Daniels in a smaller and more intimate venue, at the Cindy Pritzker Auditorium in the Harold Washington Library. The program includes Britten's Canticle II: Abraham and Isaac, Op. 51. Ticket information is available HERE.
The Collaborative Works Festival concludes with "Music of the People: Britten & Folk Song" at the University of Chicago Logan Center for the Arts on September 15. Britten's arrangements of four French folk songs will be featured on the program.
Chicago Chamber Musicians
2013-14 Signature Series: Fanfare for Britten!
Chicago Chamber Musicians is taking part in the year-long "Britten 100" tribute of concerts worldwide, with three programs focused on Britten's music.
The series opens on September 22 with Britten's Fanfare for St. Edmundsbury played by Chris Martin, principal trumpet of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, on a program that includes Britten's Three Divertimenti for Strings. The program will be repeated on September 23.
Other concerts in the CCM series:
"Britten: Before and Beyond," October 13 and 14
"Britten and Borromeo," with the Borromeo Quartet, November 3 and 4.
The University of Chicago Presents: Britten Festival
This six-concert chamber music festival opens on October 4 with a program of Britten string quartets performed by the Jupiter Quartet.
Other highlights of the festival include "Still Falls the Rain," tenor Nicholas Phan's recital of songs by Britten and Schubert, on October 18. The program includes Britten's Canticle III (Still Falls the Rain) and Canticle V (Death of St. Narcissus), as well as Schubert's "Auf Dem Strom" with Gail Williams, horn.
"Still Falls the Rain" is also the title of Phan's most recent recording of Britten songs.
The Britten Festival will offer lectures, poetry readings and film screenings relevant to Britten and his music throughout the five weeks of the festival.
