October (2012) is . . .

Much of what "October is" for 2012 is contained beneath the umbrella of the Constella Festival of Music and Fine Arts, Cincinnati's new united arts festival that aspires to bring increased international attention to the city and its rich arts legacy.

Sixteen partner organizations will present Constella brand events this month, including Chamber Music Cincinnati, the Linton Series, Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, Catacoustic Consort, the Vocal Arts Ensemble and concert:nova.

In addition, there will be a conjunction of villains and heroes (purely coincidental), with concerts by the Kentucky Symphony and Cincinnati Pops Orchestras.  The KSO led by music director James R. Cassidy will present a screening of "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" with live KSO accompaniment.  The Pops, led by conductor John Morris Russell, will spotlight superheroes.

Here's the rundown (Constella and partner events in blue, others in red):

______________________________________________________________

Events below this line have taken place

_______________________________________________________________

Oct. 3 – 8:30 p.m.
Blue Wisp Jazz Club Presents
Blue Wisp Big Band
Blue Wisp Jazz Club
700 Race St., downtown

The Blue Wisp Jazz Club has been a widely recognized jazz destination since its founding in 1980. Its marquee ensemble, the Blue Wisp Big Band, performs Wednesday evenings at the Club. Drummer/bandleader John von Ohlen, professor of jazz percussion at CCM, previously toured with the Stan Kenton Orchestra. Information at http://www.thebluewisp.com
                                                  ____________

Oct. 5 – 7:30 p.m.
CSO Chamber Players presents
"Chamber Sunrise"
Mayerson Theater, School for Creative and Performing Arts
108 W. Central Parkway, downtown

Haydn, String Quartet in B-flat Major, Op. 76, No. 4 ("Sunrise"). Beethoven, Septet in E-flat Major, Op. 20. The CSO Chamber Players is made up of members of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Information at http://www.cincinnatisymphony.org/content.php?id=87

                                                   ____________

Oct. 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Northern Kentucky University presents
An Evening with Charles Wadsworth
Charles Wadsworth, piano
Greaves Concert Hall
Northern Kentucky University

Meet and hear legendary pianist Charles Wadsworth, one of America’s chamber music gurus, at this special concert, also featuring violinist Tatiana Berman, cellist Nathaniel Chaitkin and flutist Nina Perlove. On the program is music by Cécile Chaminade, Ravel, Poulenc, Haydn, Debussy and Wadsworth. Tickets are $15, $10 students for students, at the door, or call (859) 572-6399. Information at http://artscience.nku.edu/departments/music/concertsevents.html

____________

Oct. 7 – 2 p.m.
Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion presents Chamber Music by American Composers
Constella Trio
Hebrew Union College
3101 Clifton Ave., Clifton

Chamber music by American composers. The Constella Trio comprises violinist Tatiana Berman, violist Yael Senamaud-Cohen and cellist Ilya Finkelshteyn. In addition to founding Constella, Berman is a founding member of Cincinnati’s concert:nova. Senamaud-Cohen is principal violist of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra. Finkelshteyn is principal cellist of the CSO. For information about HUC-JIR, visit http://huc.edu/

____________

Program to feature acoustic instruments and voices, pre-recorded electronics and visuals for a multi-sensory experience, including a world premiere composed and performed by pianist Muhly. Joining him onstage will be tenor Grant Knox, violinist Tatiana Berman, violist Joanne Wojtowicz and students from the NKU department of music. Visuals will be provided by visual/electronics artist Jordan Munson. The performance will take place in the Digitorium, NKU’s new, electronically enhanced performance space. Tickets at www.constellafestival.org

____________

Oct. 9 -- 8 p.m.
Eminent Scholar Series
University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music
Robert J. Werner Recital Hall

Hear pianist James Tocco, Eminent Scholar in Chamber Music at CCM, in a concert with guest artists Miriam Fried (violin), Paul Biss (viola) and Paul Katz (cello). On the program are Beethoven's Piano Quartet in E-flat Major, Op. 16; Faure's Piano Quartet No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 15; and Dvorak's Piano Quartet No. 2 in E-flat Major, Op. 87. Admission is free.
                                          ____________


Oct. 10 -- 8 p.m.
University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music presents
Cafe Momus: Contemporary Music Ensemble
Aik Kai Pung, conductor
Patricia Corbett Theater

CCM's Cafe Momus Contemporary Music Ensemble performs the music of American composer Nico Muhly, featuring guest artists Tatiana Berman (violin) and Grant Knox (tenor). On the program are Muhly's "Honest Music" for violin and tape (2003), Three Songs for tenor and violin (2012), "Stop Team" for strings and winds (2007) and Anton Webern's Concerto for Nine Instruments. Admission is free.

Oct. 12 -- 8 p.m.
Beethoven Festival
Ulrich Nicolai, guest conductor
Corbett Auditorium
University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music

The finale of CCM's fall Beethoven Festival features Beethoven's Symphonies No. 4 and 6, with the CCM Concert Orchestra led by guest conductor Ulrich Nicolai. Tickets are $12, $6 for non-UC students, UC students free. Call (513) 556-4183, or visit ccm.uc.edu.

                                           ____________

Oct. 12 and 13 -- 8 p.m.
Cincinnati Pops Orchestra
"Superheroes!  Pow!"
John Morris Russell, conductor
Music Hall

Pops conductor John Morris Russell, aka JMR, pumps extra energy into this concert celebrating favorite superheroes. Hear themes from movies and TV shows about Batman, Superman, Spiderman, Captain America, the X-Men and Green Lantern, plus anti-heroes like Darth Vader. Tickets begin at $20.  Call (513) 381-3300, or visit www.cincinnatipops.org

Oct. 13 -- 2 and 8 p.m.
Kentucky Symphony Orchestra
"Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl"
Florence Baptist Church at Mt. Zion
Florence, KY

The Kentucky Symphony Orchestra, led by music director James R. Cassidy, will perform live accompaniment to a screening of Disney's "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" in two showings at Florence Baptist Church at Mt. Zion. Tickets are $24-40 for adults, $12-20 for children. Order at www.kyso.org

   ____________

Oct. 13 – 5 p.m.
Bi-Okoto Cultural Institute presents
Bi-Okoto Cultural Institute
7030 Reading Rd.

Bi-Okoto Cultural Institute is a professional African dance company with a mission to preserve, promote and share the cultural heritage of Africa and Africans, using drums, dance and other arts. Information at http://www.bi-okoto.com/

____________

Oct. 13 – 7:30 p.m.
Catacoustic Consort presents
Catacoustic Consort
"Poise and Passion"
Mt. Auburn Presbyterian Church

Cincinnati’s early music ensemble Catacoustic Consort led by founder/artistic director Annalisa Pappano opens its 2012-2013 season with music of the French baroque for two violas da gamba, harp, and theorbo (think Marin Marais). Information at http://www.catacoustic.com/season.html

                                                  ____________

Oct. 14 – 1 p.m.
Manuel D. and Rhoda Mayerson Jewish Community Center presents
"Daniel Pearl World Music Day"
Constella Trio
Manuel D. and Rhoda Mayerson Jewish Community Center
8485 Ridge Rd., Amberley Village

Mayerson JCC presents the Constella Trio, violinist Tatiana Berman, violist Yael Senamaud-Cohen and cellist Ilya Finkelshteyn in a program of world and classical music. The concert honors the memory of reporter Daniel Pearl, kidnapped and murdered in Pakistan in 2002. Admission is free. For information about the Center, visit http://www.mayersonjcc.org/

____________

Oct. 14 – 4 p.m.
Linton Music presents
Linton Chamber Music Series
Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio
Nokuthula Ngwenyama, viola
First Unitarian Church
536 Linton St., Avondale

Mozart, Quartet for Piano, Violin, Viola and Cello in E-flat Major, K. 493. Richard Danielpour, “A Child’s Reliquary.” Schumann, Quartet for Piano, Violin, Viola and Cello in E-flat Major, Op. 47. The Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio -- pianist Joseph Kalichstein, violinist Jaime Laredo and cellist Sharon Robinson -- will be joined by violist Nokuthula Ngwenyama in the Mozart and Schumann quartets. (Laredo and Robinson are co-artistic directors of the Linton Chamber Music Series.) With the slogan “music making among friends,” the 32-year-old Linton Series brings together regional, national and international artists (often guests of the CSO) to create ensembles, with performances held in the intimate environment of the historic First Unitarian Church sanctuary. Tickets at the door, or call (513) 381-6868. Information at http:/lintonmusic.org/season-announcement, or call (513) 381-6868.

____________

Oct. 15 – 7:30 p.m.
Linton Music presents
Linton Chamber Music Series
Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio
Nokuthula Ngwenyama, viola
Congregation Beth Adam
10001 Loveland-Madeira Rd.
Loveland

Mozart, Quartet for Piano, Violin, Viola and Cello in E-flat Major, K. 493. Richard Danielpour, “A Child’s Reliquary.” Schumann, Quartet for Piano, Violin, Viola and Cello in E-flat Major, Op. 47. The Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio -- pianist Joseph Kalichstein, violinist Jaime Laredo and cellist Sharon Robinson -- will be joined by violist Nokuthula Ngwenyama in the Mozart and Schumann quartets. Tickets are $30 at the door.

Oct. 18 – 6:45 p.m. concert, 7:30 p.m. show Cincinnati Shakespeare Company presents
“Romeo and Juliet”
Sarah Clark, Sherman Fracher, Annie Fitzpatrick, Billy Chace
Brian Isaac Phillips, director
Cincinnati Shakespeare Theatre
719 Race St., downtown

This will be a contemporary staging, designed to give continuing relevance to Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy. Production sponsor is Rippe & Kingston. The design is sponsored by Raymond James. A concert will precede the show. Information and tickets at http://cincyshakes.com

                                                 ____________

Oct. 19 – 7:30 p.m.
Constella presents
“Fragile Elements”
Exhale Dance Tribe
Tatiana Berman, violin
Haeri Suh, piano
Sandra Gross, sculptor
Carnegie Visual and Performing Arts Center
1028 Scott St., Covington

Exhale Dance Tribe will perform world premiere choreographies by Missy Lay Zimmer and Andrew Hubbard of Tchaikovsky's“Souvenir d’un lieu cher" and Henryk Górecki's Quartet No. 1, "Already It Is Dusk" with violinist Tatiana Berman and pianist Haeri Suh. The backdrop will be created by sculptor Sandra Gross. A reception will follow at the Carnegie Visual and Performing Arts Center Gallery, showcasing FotoFocus, a biennial, city-wide celebration of the art of photography. Tickets at www.constellafestival.org                                                 

                                                     ____________

Oct. 19 -- 9 p.m. to midnight
Washington Platform Presents
Mike Darrah Trio
Sandy Suskind, flute
Washington Platform restaurant
1000 Elm St. (corner of Court and Elm Streets)

The Mike Darrah Trio, with special guest Sandy Suskind on flute, perform in the Canal Room 9 p.m. to midnight as part of Washington Platform's new Friday night jazz series. No cover.  $10 food and drink minimum. Kitchen open until 11 p.m. Call (513) 421-0110.

Oct. 19 and 20 -- 7 and 10 p.m.
University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music
"Speak Low: A Kurt Weill Cabaret"
Cohen Family Studio
CCM

CCM singers will perform music of Kurt Weill, including selections from "Happy End," "Lady in the Dark,," "One Touch of Venus" and " The Unknown Kurt Weill" in a cabaret-style presentation directed by Robin Guarino, with music director/pianist Lydia Brown.  Tickets are $15, $10 for non-UC students, UC students free. Call (513) 556-4183 or visit ccm.uc.edu/box/office 

____________

Oct. 20 -- 8 p.m.
Constella Presents
Lew Soloff, trumpet
Cincinnati Contemporary Jazz Orchestra
Harriet Tubman Theater
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

Jazz great Lew Soloff and the newly-formed Cincinnati Contemporary Jazz Orchestra will perform Miles Davis and Gil Evans' "Porgy and Bess" and "Sketches of Spain." They will use charts Evans wrote for their important recordings, which were among the first to fuse classical music and jazz. Information and tickets at www.constellafestival.org

                                           ____________

Oct. 21 -- 2:30 p.m.
Xavier Classical Piano Series
Soheil Nasseri, piano
Gallagher Center Theater
Xavier University

Iranian-American pianist Soheil Nasseri makes his debut on the Xavier University Music Series. Tickets are $19 (keyboard side) and $17 (right side). Seniors (60 and over), $16 and $14, students $3. Call (513) 745-3161. Further information at www.xavier.edu/musicseries.

H.K. Gruber, “Frankenstein!!” Concert:nova, Cincinnati’s boundary-bending chamber ensemble, plays to form with Austrian composer Gruber’s self-described “pan-demonium” for chansonnier (vocalist/narrator) and chamber orchestra (1976-77).  Based on children’s verses about popular heroes and villains, “Frankenstein!!” is a set of songs utilizing colorful percussion and toy instruments. New York cabaret artist Daniel Isengart will be chansonnier.  Peter Haberkorn, a Cincinnati artist who creates three-dimensional collages using found materials, will provide original artwork to accompany the music. Information about concert:nova at http://concertnova.com/

Haydn, String Quartet in D Major, Op. 20, No. 4. Kodály, Quartet for Strings, Op. 10, No. 2. Ravel, String Quartet in F Major. The famed Tokyo String Quartet will hang up their bows after next season. Critics agree that they are retiring at the top of their game, so this final opportunity to hear them in Cincinnati makes this a choice Constella event. Tickets and information at www.cincychamber.org, or call (513) 345-6870.

                                           ____________

Oct. 26 – 7:30 p.m.
Constella presents“
Opera appasionata”
Marco Panuccio, tenor
Kara Shay Thomson, soprano
Warren Jones, piano
Memorial Hall
1225 Elm St., downtown

Opera solos and duets. Trained at CCM, tenor Marco Panuccio sings leading roles with opera companies worldwide, including Chicago Lyric Opera and Teatro Comunale in Bologna, Italy. Soprano Kara Shay Thomson has sung with New York City Opera and as a soloist with the Cincinnati May Festival. The concert will be followed by a reception and art show featuring artists from Cincinnati’s 5th Street Gallery. Tickets at www.constellafestival.org

                                                   ____________

Oct. 26 -- 9 p.m. to midnight
Washington Platform Presents
NKU Faculty Jazz Ensemble
Washington Platform restaurant
1000 Elm St. (corner of Court and Elm Streets)

Brian Hogg (sax), John Zappa (trumpet), Chris Barrick (vibes) and Dan Dorff (drums) of the Northern Kentucky University Jazz Ensemble perform in the Canal Room 9 p.m. to midnight as part of Washington Platform's new Friday night jazz series. No cover.  $10 food and drink minimum. Kitchen open until 11 p.m. Call (513) 421-0110.

____________

Oct. 27 – 7:30 p.m.
Constella presents
“Anne under the Stars”
Anne Akiko Meyers, violin
Wendy Chin, piano
Harriet Tubman Theater
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
50 East Freedom Way, downtown

Violinist Anne Akiko Meyers and pianist Wendy Chen will perform under the starlit ceiling of Harriet Tubman Theater at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. Their program includes Ravel's Sonata for Violin and Piano, "Milonga del Angel" by Astor Piazzolli, Romanian Folk Dances by Bartok and two Cincinnati premieres, “Lullaby for Natalie”by John Corigliano and "The Wreck of the Umbria" by Jakub Ciupiński. There will be a reception and an instrument exhibition by Paolo Alberghini at 6 p.m. preceding the concert, with over 20 instruments on display, from Stradivarius to the present day. Tickets at www.constellafestival.org

____________

Oct. 27 -- 7:30 p.m.
Hamilton-Fairfield Symphony Orchestra
Tillmann Memorial Concert
Paul Stanbery, conductor
Michael Preacely, baritone
Jade Kurlas, cello
Garfield Middle School Auditorium
250 North Fair Ave., Hamilton

HFSO conductor Paul Stanbery will lead the orchestra in his own Symphony No. 2, "Foundations." Admission is free. For further information, call (513) 895-5151. For a map and directions to the concert, visit http://goo.gl/maps/yuAej

____________

Oct. 26 and 27 -- 8 p.m
Oct. 27 and 28 -- 2 p.m.
Cincinnati Ballet"Alice in Wonderland"
Carmon DeLeone, conductor
Music Hall
 
Cincinnati Ballet presents the regional premiere of choreographer Septime Webre's "Alice in Wonderland," with music by Matthew Pierce performed by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, led by Carmon DeLeone. Tickets are $31-82.  Call (513) 621-5282 or visit www.cballet.org

Oct. 27 -- 8 p.m., Patricia Corbett Theater, University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music
Oct. 28 -- 3 p.m., Mayerson Theater, School for Creative and Performing Arts
"Opera Fusion: New Works"
"Champion" by Terence Blanchard and Michael Cristofer
James Robinson, director

"Opera Fusion" is a collaboration between Cincinnati Opera and the opera department of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, designed to workshop new works. Excerpts from "Champion" by Terence Blanchard, to be premiered in June, 2013 by the Opera Theater of St. Louis, will be heard in two performances directed by OTSL artistic director James Robinson. With libretto by Michael Cristofer, the opera tells the story of prize fighter Emile Griffith and his tragic bout with Benny Paret in the 1962 welterweight world championship. Singing the role of Emile is CCM student Derrell Acon, who will understudy the role in St. Louis. Admission is free, but reservations must be made in advance.  There will be a Q & A session afterward with Robinson and composer Blanchard. For reservations, call Call (513) 556-4163 or (513) 241-2742.

____________

Oct. 28 – 2 p.m.
Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra presents
“Ludwig Van!”
Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra
Mischa Santora, conductor
Alex Kerr, violin
Eric Kim, cello
Orion Weiss, piano
Corbett Theatre, School for Creative and Performing Arts

Music director Mischa Santora leads the opening concert of the CCO season in the orchestra’s new performance home at the School for Creative and Performing Arts. Soloists in Beethoven's Concerto for Violin, Cello and Piano are violinist Alexander Kerr, cellist Eric Kim and pianist Orion Weiss. Information and tickets at http://www.ccocincinnati.org


Oct. 28 -- 2:30 p.m.
Xavier Classical Piano Series presents
Alexander Ghindin piano
Gallagher Center Theater
Xavier University

Russian pianist Alexander Ghindin performs for the Xavier University Music Series. Tickets are $19 (keyboard side) and $17 (right side). Seniors (60 and over), $16 and $14, students $3. Call (513) 745-3161. Further information at www.xavier.edu/musicseries.

Oct. 28 -- 3 p.m.
Cincinnati Civic Orchestra
"The American Civil War -- Our History, Our Music"
Laurence Bonhaus, conductor
Glendale Lyceum
865 Congress Ave.
Glendale

The Cincinnati Civic Orchestra led by conductor Laurence Bonhaus perform music of the American Civil War. On the program are "Glendale Suite" by CCO assistant conductor Edwin F. Howard, "Battle Hymn of the Republic," "American Salute," "Gettysburg Echoes," "Mississippi Suite" by Ferde Grofe," "Ashoken Farewell," "Simple Gifts" and songs by Stephen Collins Foster. The concert repeats at 7 p.m. Nov. 1 in the Scottish Rite Auditorium, 317 E. Fifth St. downtown. Admission is free.  Further information at (513) 861-9978.

Oct. 28 – 5 p.m.
University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music presents
J.S. Bach, Mass in B Minor
CCM Chamber Choir
CCM Philharmonia Chamber Orchestra
Christ Church Cathedral
Downtown

Ensembles of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music led by Earl Rivers perform one of the landmarks of Western music, Johann Sebastian Bach’s Mass in B Minor in the visually and acoustically splendid setting of Christ Church Cathedral, Fourth and Sycamore Streets downtown. Admission is $15, $10 for non-UC students, UC students free. Tickets available at the door (cash only) beginning at 4 p.m. the day of the performance.

____________

Oct. 29 -- 6:30 p.m.
The Double or Nothing Ensemble presents
"Halloween in the Cemetery"
Norman Chapel
Spring Grove Cemetery

The Double or Nothing Ensemble is a local double reed wind quartet. Members Melissa Walding, Julie Grasso, Connie Ignatiou (oboes, English horn) and Lauren Piccirillo (bassoon) perform music from the baroque to the contemporary periods throughout the tristate. The night before Halloween they will perform music of the season in Norman Chapel at Cincinnati's historic Spring Grove Cemetery. Hear music from "Harry Potter," "Thriller" and Mussorgsky's "Night on Bald Mountain," complete with storytelling, punch and treats. Admission is free with a canned or non-perishable food item, to be donated to the local Freestore Foodbank. A selected area of the Cemetery will be open for candle-lit walks.