For more information about any of these events, please call us at 207.773.3150 ×227 or .
Fairy-Tale OperaThursday, October 23, 2008 6–7 pm
Merrill Auditorium Green Room
FREE
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Prior to a 7:30 pm of Mozart’s final masterpiece, the opera The Magic Flute, Portland Conservatory of Music Executive Director and Conductor Dr. Deirdre McClure provides insight into this popular opera.
The African-American Dance ExperienceThursday, November 13, 2008 6–7 pm
Merrill Auditorium Green Room
FREE
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From a grassroots, community-based performing arts organization to one of America’s foremost dance ensembles today, Philadanco exists as a model for emerging choreographers, dancers, and other dance companies with repertoire that blends African-American, ballet, jazz, and cutting-edge styles. In advance of the 7:30 pm performance, join Joan Meyers Brown, founder and artistic director of Philadanco, for an overview of the evening’s program and the company’s commitment to honoring the spirit of African-American dance.
A Frenchman in EnglandWednesday, November 19, 2008 6–7 pm
Merrill Auditorium Green Room
FREE
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Dr. J. David Ober speaks about the great piano repertoire – including Brahms, Bartók, and Chopin – to be performed just afterwards, at the 7:30 pm recital by the renowned young French pianist Cédric Tiberghien.
An Arabian-Swahili Love StoryThursday, January 15, 2009 6–7 pm
Merrill Auditorium Green Room
FREE
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Soprano Ellen Chickering provides an insider’s view of Verdi’s opera Aida, to be performed at 7:30 pm. Whether singing or lecturing, Ms. Chickering imparts a comprehensive view of an opera within its cultural milieu – and her perspective as a performer.
Singing Songs of Hope and SurvivalSunday, January 18, 2009 5:30–6:30 pm
Merrill Auditorium Green Room
FREE
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The Windham Chamber Singers’ Dr. Richard Nickerson, a recognized local authority on choral music, will lead a community sing in the tradition of African-American choral music from hymns to gospel and spirituals. He will be joined by a lecturer from the community for an overview of the impact of gospel music. This interactive event precedes the Sweet Honey in the Rock performance at 7 pm.
Music, Message, and CommunityFriday, February 6, 2009 6–7 pm
Hannaford Hall, USM, Portland, Maine
FREE
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Maine composer Dr. Elliott Schwartz exchanges ideas about the inspiration for composing music with composer and violinist Daniel Bernard Roumain, who will take the Hannaford Hall stage for a 7:30 pm performance.
Yo-Yo Ma and the Music of the WorldThursday, February 26, 2009 6–7 pm
Merrill Auditorium Green Room
FREE
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Robert Lehmann, a professor at the University of Maine’s School of Music, will discuss Yo-Yo Ma’s program, which includes selections from J.S. Bach’s cello suites. Yo-Yo Ma will perform a concert to benefit the PCA Great Performances endowment just after the lecture, at 7:30 pm.
Romanticism and Folk MusicThursday, April 2, 2009 6–7 pm
Merrill Auditorium Green Room
FREE
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Maine composer and music professor Dr. Elliott Schwartz discusses the importance of folk music influences on the works of Dvořák, Bartók, Elgar, and Tchaikovsky, with emphasis on the program to be performed by “l’Orchestre de Chambre” I Musici de Montréal, a fifteen-member ensemble that will perform at 7:30 pm.
Following Africa’s Circle of MusicFriday, May 1, 2009 6:30–7:30 pm
Merrill Auditorium Green Room
FREE
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The musical influence of Africa has come full-circle with forms such as jazz and blues and even hip-hop, rooted in the African-American tradition, now influencing and being assimilated by contemporary African musicmakers. Innovator Toumani Diabaté and his Symmetric Orchestra – who create music out of west African sounds peppered with jazz, blues, and salsa – are a perfect example of this phenomenon. Join an ethnomusicologist for this trip around the world, following the influences of African music and learn how African music itself has been influenced by the results. Diabaté will perform with his orchestra at 8 pm following this event.
A Pianist from LiverpoolWednesday, May 6, 2009 6–7 pm
Merrill Auditorium Green Room
FREE
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Dr. J. David Ober brings his extensive knowledge of pianists and classical music to speak about young pianist Paul Lewis in advance of the 7:30 pm recital.
Everything in this category is still upcoming!
