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May (2014) is . . .

Mary Ellyn Hutton
Posted: Apr 29, 2014 - 3:22:46 PM in calendar

mayfest_trumpeters.jpg
herald trumpeters performing in the gallery at Music Hall before the opening of the Cincinnati May Festival (photo by Philip Groshong)
May, 2014 in Cincinnati is the annual May Festival at Music Hall -- and also at New York’s Carnegie Hall – plus closing concerts of the season by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Linton Chamber Music Series, Vocal Arts Ensemble and Kentucky Symphony Orchestra. For a real Cincinnati potpourri, head for the Big Apple itself between May 6 and 12 for a showcase of Cincinnati arts events. Information and tickets at http://www.cincyinnyc.com/index.php/events

Details:

Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
Nicola Benedetti, violin
James Gaffigan, guest conductor
May 2 -- 11 a.m.
May 3 -- 8 p.m.
Music Hall

Dubbed "Star-Crossed Season Closer," this final concert of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra season led by guest conductor James Gaffigan has a Shakespearean theme. Hear Prokofiev's Suite from "Romeo and Juliet" and the "King Lear" Overture by Berlioz with readings by members of the drama department at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Guest artist in Max Bruch's "Scottish Fantasy" is violinist Nicola Benedetti. Tickets begin at $12. Call (513) 381-3300, or visit www.cincinnatisymphony.org
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Vocal Arts Ensemble
May 2 -- 7:30 p.m.

Memorial Hall
1225 Elm St.

downtown

The Vocal Arts Ensemble closes its 2013-14 season with a world premiere by Jake Runestad, the Cincinnati premiere of Kevin Puts' "If I Were a Swan," J.S. Bach's "Singet dem Herrn," Dominick Argentos' "Walden Pond" and traditional spirituals, including works by R. Nathaniel Dett. Tickets are $20, $25 for reserved seating, $10 for students. Call (513) 381-3300, or order online at www.vaecinci.org
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Washington Platform Jazz Series
May 2-- 9 p.m. - midnight
Washington Platform Restaurant
1000 Elm St.
downtown


The Washington Platform Jazz Series presents The Frequency Group, featuring Rusty Burge on vibes, Michael Sharfe on bass and Dan Dorf on drums, who will perform original compositions from their CD titled "Frequency." No cover, $10 food/beverage minimum. Dinner until 11 p.m. Jazz until midnight. Call (513) 421-0110 for reservations.
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Linton Music Series
"Peanut Butter and Jam Sessions"
Madcap Puppet Theater
"The Story of the Gingerbread Man"
 May 3 -- 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., Heritage Presbyterian Church, 6546 Mason-Montgomery Rd., Mason
 May 10 -- 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., Mt. Washington Presbyterian Church, 6474 Beechmont Ave.


Linton Music's popular "Peanut Butter and Jam Sessions" for kids features puppets from Madcap Puppet Theater in "The Story of the Gingerbread Man" to music by Johannes Brahms. Tickets are $5 at the door, call (513) 381-6868, or visit lintonmusic.org/linton-chamber-music-series
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Ohio Mozart Festival
Hamilton-Fairfield Symphony Orchestra
and Chorale
Paul John Stanbery, conductor
May 3 -- 7:30 p.m.
First Baptist Church
1501 Pyramid Hill Blvd.
Hamilton


The final concert of the Ohio Mozart Festival features Mozart's Symphony No. 40 in G Minor, "Missa Solemnis," "Ave Verum Corpus" and Violin Concerto No. 4 in D Major. Soloist in the Violin Concerto is Belew Young Artist Competition winner Luke Lentini. Special guest is Cincinnati Bengals assistant head coach Paul Alexander, who will make his conducting debut with Mozart's "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik." Admission is free.
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Washington Platform Jazz Series

May 3 -- 9 p.m. -- midnight

Washington Platform Restaurant

1000 Elm St.

downtown


The Washington Platform Jazz Series presents Triage, featuring Eugene Goss on percussion and vocals and Billy Larkin on keyboards and vocals. No cover, $10 food/beverage minimum. Dinner until 11 p.m. Jazz until midnight. Call (513) 421-0110 for reservations.
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Cincinnati Opera
Kenwood Theatre
"Joyeux Noel"
May 4 -- 1 p.m.
Kenwood Theatre
7815 Kenwood Rd.


Cincinnati Opera and Kenwood Theatre present a screening of "Joyeux Noel," the 2006 film inspired by the true life story of the Christmas Truce of 1914 when enemy soldiers on the West Front laid down their arms to celebrate the holiday together. Cincinnati Opera observes the centenary of World War I with Kevin Puts' opera "Silent Night," based on the same event, as part of its 2014 summer festival July 10 and 12 at Music Hall. Opera artistic director Evans Mirageas will give a brief introduction to the screening, and guest artists will a perform a selection from the opera. Tickets are $7.50, available at the Kenwood Theatre box office and www.movietickets.com
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Xavier University Classical Piano Series
Soheil Nasseri, piano
May 4 -- 2:30 p.m.
Gallagher Center Theater
Xavier University


Xavier University closes its 2013-14 Classical Piano Series with a recital by pianist Soheil Nasseri. Tickets are $19 (keyboard side), $17 (right side), $16 and $14 for seniors, $3 for students. Call (513) 745-3161. __________________________________________________________________________

Cincinnati Civic Orchestra
Laurence Bonhaus, conductor
May 4 -- 3 p.m.
Norwood Masonic Temple
2020 Hopkins Ave.


The Cincinnati Civic Orchestra led by music director Laurence Bonhaus performs music of Beethoven. Hear his "Fidelio" Overture and the Piano Concerto No. 5 ("Emperor") with pianist Eugene Flemm. Admission is free. Information at (513) 861-9978.
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Cincinnati Children's Choir
Spring Concert
Robyn Lana, director
May 4 -- 4 p.m.
Christ's Church at Mason
5165 Western  Row Rd.
Mason


The annual spring concert by the Cincinnati Children’s Choir, ensemble-in-residence at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, will include the 450 members of the Children’s Choir plus CCM resident choirs and satellite choirs from across the tristate. Tickets are $12, $6 for non-UC students, UC students free. Call (513) 556-4183, or order at ccm.uc.edu
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Music Live at Lunch
Christ Church Cathedral, downtown
May 6 -- Hello Mayday: modern indie rock
May 13 -- Amita Prakash, soprano
May 20 -- Raison D'Etre: folk music trio
May 27 -- Danielle Adams, soprano and Elizabeth Motter, harp

"Live at Lunch" concerts at Christ Church Cathedral
are free. Note: you may bring your own lunch or buy one at the Cathedral.
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May Festival
May Festival Chorus
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
May 7 --  8 p.m.
Music Hall


The 2014 May Festival opens with John Adams’ “Harmonium” and R. Nathaniel Dett’s “The Ordering of Moses.” Music director James Conlon will lead the May Festival Chorus and Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, with soloists Latonia Moore, soprano, Ronnita Nicole Miller, mezzo-soprano, Rodrick Dixon, tenor and Donnie Ray Albert, baritone. Dixon will perform a pre-concert recital at 7 p.m., free to concert ticket holders. Tickets begin at $25. Call (513) 381-3300, or visit www.mayfestival.com/festival.html. Note: This concert will be repeated at New York’s Carnegie Hall May 9 at 7:30 p.m.. Information and tickets at www.mayfestival.com/festival.html
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Washington Platform Jazz Series
May 9 -- 9 p.m. -- midnight
Washington Platform Restaurant
1000 Elm St.
downtown

The Washington Platform Jazz Series presents Trio Pi, featuring Rob Allgeyer, piano, Michael Sharfe, bass and James Leslie, percussion. There may be special guests. No cover, $10 food/beverage minimum. Dinner until 11 p.m. Jazz until midnight. Call (513) 421-0110 for reservations.
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Music at Ascension
Jacqueline Kitzmiller, violin
May 10 -- 7:30 p.m.
Ascension Lutheran Church
7333 Pfeiffer Rd.
Montgomery


The chamber concert series at Ascension Lutheran Church in Montgomery presents a recital by violinist Jacqueline Kitzmiller. Concerts take place in the sanctuary of the church. Admission is free. Information at www.ascensionlutheranchurch.com
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Kentucky Symphony Orchestra
Williams' Wondrous World"
James R. Cassidy, conductor
May 10 -- 8 p.m.
Florence Baptist Church at Mt. Zion
Florence, Kentucky


The Kentucky Symphony Orchestra closes its 2013-14 season with music of John Williams, from  television through his 40-year association with director Steven Spielberg. Hear 1960s TV themes, as well as music from films such as “Jaws,” “Jurassic Park,” “”War Horse,” “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” “Star Wars” and E.T.” Tickets are $17.50-$35. Call (859) 431-6216, or order online at www.kyso.org
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Washington Platform Jazz Series
May 10 -- 9 p.m. -- midnight
Washington Platform Restaurant
1000 Elm St.
downtown
 

The Washington Platform Jazz Series presents the Ian Ross Group, featuring Ian Ross,  Brad Myers, Dan Karlsberg and Joe Jahnigen. No cover, $10 food/beverage minimum. Dinner until 11 p.m. Jazz until midnight. Call (513) 421-0110 for reservations.

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Young Professionals Choral Collective
Community Sing
May 11 -- 2 -- 5 p.m.
Below Zero Lounge
1122 Walnut St.
downtown


The Young Professionals Choral Collective presents a Community Sing. Free and open to the public. _______________________________________________________________________________

May Festival
May Festival Chamber Choir
Robert Porco, director
May Festival Youth Chorus
James Bagwell, director
May 11 -- 8 p.m.
Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption
Covington, Kentucky


The May Festival’s annual concert at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Covington, Kentucky features the May Festival Chamber Choir and May Festival Youth Chorus, led by Robert Porco and James Bagwell, respectively. Hear “We Shall Walk Through the Valley (arr. Undine Moore). R. Nathaniel Dett, “Ave Maria.” “I Wan’ to be Ready” (arr. William Dawson). Jake Runestad, “I Will Life Mine Eyes.” Aaron Copland, Four Motets for Chorus. Eric Whitacre, “Lux Aurumque.” Four Hymns from the Old South (arr. Virgil Thomson). Three Spirituals (arr. Moses Hogan). Tickets are $40. For information and tickets, visit www.mayfestival.com/festival.html _______________________________________________________________

The Society for the Preservation of Music Hall
"That's Entertainment" with the Mighty Wurlitzer
Jelani Eddington, organist
May 15 -- 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Music Hall Ballroom 


The “Mighty Wurlitzer” theater organ housed in the Ballroom at Music Hall is featured in this concert by theater organist Jelani Eddington. Hear music from operettas, movies and Broadway. Tickets are $25, $20 for seniors, students and groups of ten or more. Get them at the Aronoff Center or Music Hall ticket offices, or call (513) 621-2787. For group sales, call (513) 977-4157. ______________________________________________________________________________

May Festival
May Festival Chorus
May Festival Youth Chorus
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
James Conlon, conductor
May 16 -- 8 p.m.
May 18 -- 2 p.m.
Music Hall


Music director James Conlon leads the May Festival Chorus, May Festival Youth Chorus and Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra in Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 and Tchaikovsky’s “Ode to Joy” Cantata. Soloists include soprano Erin Wall, mezzo-soprano Sara Murphy, tenor Rodrick Dixon and bass Kristinn Sigmundson. Tickets begin at $25, available by calling (513) 381-3300, or visit www.mayfestival.com/festival.html.
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Washington Platform Jazz Series
May 16 -- 9 p.m. -- midnight
Washington Platform Restaurant
1000 Elm St.
downtown


The Washington Platform Jazz Series presents Dan Radank and Friends, featuring Dan Radank, Brian Batchelor-Glader, Matt Wiles and Ben Bratton. Radank, aka "Old Green Eyes," is a jazz singer and trumpeter who is a throw-back to the Sinatra era, focusing on the American Songbook and jazz standards. No cover, $10 food/beverage minimum. Dinner until 11 p.m. Jazz until midnight. Call (513) 421-0110 for reservations.  
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May Festival
May Festival Chorus
Nashville Symphony Chorus
Cincinnati Children's Choir
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
James Conlon, conductor
May 17 -- 8 p.m.
Music Hall


Music director James Conlon leads the May Festival Chorus, Nashville Symphony Chorus, Cincinnati Children’s Choir and Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra in Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 (“Symphony of a Thousand”). Soloists include sopranos Erin Wall and Tracy Cox, mezzo-sopranos Sara Murphy and Ronnita Nicole Miller, tenor Rodrick Dixon, baritone James Johnson and bass Kristinn Sigmundsson. Tickets begin at $25, available by calling (513) 381-3300, or visit www.mayfestival.com/festival.html
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Washington Platform Jazz Series
May 17 -- 9 p.m. -- midnight
Washington Platform Restaurant
1000 Elm St.
downtown


The Washington Platform Jazz Series presents the Faux Frenchmen, featuring acoustic guitarists Brian Lovely and George Cunningham, acoustic bassist Don Aren and violinist Paul Patterson. In the tradition of Django Reinhardt and the Hot Club movement of the 1930s, the ensemble presents a blend of European and American jazz, referred to as "gypsy jazz." No cover, $10 food/beverage minimum. Dinner until 11 p.m. Jazz until midnight. Call (513) 421-0110 for reservations.  
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Linton Chamber Music Series
May 18 -- 4 p.m.
First Unitarian Church, Avondale
May 19 -- 7:30 p.m.
Congregation Beth Adam, Loveland


The Linton Chamber Music Series concludes its 2013-14 season with concerts featuring clarinetist  Richard Hawley, pianist Jon Kimura Parker, violinist/violist Aloysia Friedmann and cellist Desmond Hoebig. Their program will comprise Chopin’s Introduction and Polonaise brillante in C Major, Op. 3, Mozart’s Trio for Clarinet, Viola and Piano in E-flat Major, K. 498 (“Kegelstat”), “Orcas Island Ferry” Suite for Violin, Viola and Piano and Brahms’ Trio for Clarinet, Cello and Piano in A Minor, Op. 114. Tickets are $30, $10 for students. Call (513) 381-6868, or visit www.lintonmusic.org.
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The Carnegie in Concert
Middletown Symphony Orchestra
Carmon DeLeone, conductor
May 22 -- 7:30 p.m.
The Carnegie
1028 Scott Blvd.Covington, Kentucky


The Carnegie in Concert presents the Middletown Symphony Orchestra in “Birdie to Brice: 50 Years of Carmon DeLeone,” a tribute to music director Carmon DeLeone. The evening will feature music theater favorites from shows such as “Bye Bye Birdie, “Funny Girl” and “Man of La Mancha.” For tickets and information, visit www.thecarnegie.com
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Suzanne Bona, flute
Richard Goering, guitar
May 23 -- 7 p.m.
Boone County PublicLibrary
1786 Burlington Pike
Burlington, Kentucky

Flutist Suzanne Bona and classical guitarist Richard Goering perform "Two Mountain Songs" by Robert Beaser, tangos by Astor Piazzolla, popular Brazilian music by Celso Machado, a Sonata by J.S. Bach and a Serenade by Ferdinando Carulli. Admission is free.
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Queen City Chamber Opera
"Die Walkure" by Richard Wagner, act I
May 23 -- 8 p.m.
May 25 -- 3 p.m.
Arts Center at Dunham
1945 Dunham Way
Price Hill


Queen City Chamber Opera partners with the Wagner Society of Cincinnati to present a fully staged production of act I of Wagner’s “Die Walkure.” Singing Siegmund will be tenor Ric Furman, with soprano Kimberly Buczek as Sieglinde and bass William Tvrdik as Hunding. Queen City Chamber Opera artistic director Isaac Selya will conduct. Set design and stage direction are by Cincinnati Wagner Society president James Slouffman. Advance tickets are $18, $10 for students, available online at walkure.brownpapertickets.com, or call (800) 838-3006. Tickets are $20 and $12 at the door. __________________________________________________________________________________

Washington Platform Jazz Series

May 23 -- 9 p.m. -- midnight

Washington Platform Restaurant

1000 Elm St.

downtown


The Washington Platform Jazz Series presents Kim Pensyl, with Rusty Burge on vibes, Rick vanMatre on sax, Michael Sharfe on bass and John  Taylor on drums. No cover, $10 food/beverage minimum. Dinner until 11 p.m. Jazz until midnight. Call (513) 421-0110 for reservations.
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Washington Platform Jazz Series
May 24 -- 9 p.m. -- midnight
Washington Platform Restaurant
1000 Elm St.
downtown

The Washington Platform Jazz Series presents the Pat Kelly Organ Quartet, featuring Pat Kelly on organ, Oz Landesberg on tenor sax, Chris Barrick on vibes and Dan Dorff on drums. Songs from the jazz and blues repertoire. No cover, $10 food/beverage minimum. Dinner until 11 p.m. Jazz until midnight. Call (513) 421-0110 for reservations. 
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Xavier Swing Series
Duke Heitger Swing Combo
May 25 -- 3 p.m.
Gallagher Center Theatre
Xavier University


Xavier University closes its 2013-2014 Masters of Swing Series with trumpeter Duke Heitger and his combo. Hear familiar songs of the 1930s and 1940s, many associated with trumpeter Louis Armstrong. Tickets are $25, $22 for seniors, $3 for students. Tickets and information at (513) 745-3161, or visit www.xavier.edu/musicseries.
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Cincinnati Opera and Cincinnati Zoo
"Back to the Zoo"
May 29 -- 7 p.m.
Wings of Wonder Theater
Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden


Cincinnati Opera joins with the Cincinnati Zoo in celebrating the half-century the Opera performed at the Zoo. The evening begins with a reception at 6 p.m., with complimentary refreshments, ice cream and a cash bar. Hear songs of opera and Broadway with guest appearances by stars of Cincinnati Opera’s 2014 Summer Festival. Admission is free, but reservations are required. Optional boxed dinners may be purchased in advance for $17 per person. Call (513) 241-2742, order online at my.cincinnatiopera.org, or visit the Cincinnati Opera box office at Music Hall. Note: Parking is $6 after 5 p.m. in the Vine Street lot. Enter via the Historic Vine Street Plaza. For further information, visit www.cincinnatiopera.org.
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Cincinnati Opera
"Opera Goes to Church"
May 31 -- 7 p.m.
Lakeside Presbyterian Church
2690 Dixie Highway
Lakeside Park, Kentucky


Cincinnati Opera presents its popular "Opera Goes to Church, featuring the Lakeside Presbyterian Church Choir (Stephanie Nash, director), Cincinnati Opera artists and the Lakeside Gospel Guys. Admission is free, though tickets are required. Limit 2 per household. Reserve at my.cincinnatiopera.org, call (513) 241-2742 or visit the Cincinnati Opera box office at Music Hall, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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Music at Ascension
Stars of Tomorrow
May 31-- 7:30 p.m.
Ascension Lutheran Church
7333 Pfeiffer Rd.
Montgomery


The chamber concert series at Ascension Lutheran Church in Montgomery presents "Stars of Tomorrow," featuring up and coming young performers. Concerts take place in the sanctuary of the church. Admission is free. Information at www.ascensionlutheranchurch.com

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