St. Louis classical calendar for the week of June 22, 2015

Thomas Murrah

The American Guild of Organists presents an organ recital by Thomas Murray on Wednesday, June 24, at 8:15 p.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis at 4431 Lindell.  “Murray is organist and professor at Yale University and will play works of Duruflé, Grieg, Mozart, and Saint-Saëns.”  For more information: www.agostlouis.org

Christ Church Cathedral presents an organ concert by Christopher Marks on Monday, June 22, at 7:30 p.m.  "Marks is organ professor at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and will play works of Seth Bingham, Marcel Dupré, and Leo Sowerby." Christ Church Cathedral is at 13th and Olive downtown.  For more information: christchurchconcerts.org.

The Compton Heights Concert Band presents free Sunday Serenades concerts featuring marches, show tunes and classical favorites on Sundays at 7:30 PM, June 28 – July 26.  This week's concert features baritone soloist Robert Ellison and includes a performance of Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture" complete with cannons.  The concerts takes place in Francis Park at Donovan and Eichelberger on the Compton Heights Band’s "Carol Joy Brooks Memorial" Stage.  For more information: chband.org

The Ethical Society presents The Legend Singers in concert on Thursday, June 26, at 6 p.m.  "It’s time for The Legend Singers Chorale Ensemble’s concert and tribute to Black Music History Month! We had the Divas (Women) in 2013 and the Music Royals, Kings, Princes & Dukes (Men) in 2014. This year we are celebrating African-American music genres and Family Performers!" The performance takes at the Ethical Society of St. Louis, 9001 Clayton Road.  For more information: ethicalstl.org.

The Barber of Seville
Photo: Ken Howard

Opera Theatre of St. Louis presents Rossini's comedy The Barber of Seville Saturday, June 27, at 8 p.m.. "There's a good reason it's one of the world's most popular operas! Rossini's zany and sparkling score sets the gold standard for opera that is fresh, elegant, funny, and brimming with vocal fireworks. Delight as the young barber Figaro helps Count Almaviva steal the beautiful Rosina from under the nose of her doddering guardian." Performances take place at the Loretto-Hilton Center at 135 Edgar Road on the Webster University campus. All performances are sung in English with projected English text. For more information: experienceopera.org or call 314-961-0644. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

Emmeline
Photo: Ken Howard

Opera Theatre of St. Louis presents Tobias Picker's drama Emmeline Thursday, June 25, at 8 p.m. and Saturday, June 27, at 1 p.m. " Inspired by a compelling true story from a mill town in 19th century New England, Emmeline's heart-wrenching saga echoes the age-old Oedipus legend." Performances take place at the Loretto-Hilton Center at 135 Edgar Road on the Webster University campus. All performances are sung in English with projected English text. For more information: experienceopera.org or call 314-961-0644. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

Opera Theatre of St. Louis presents A Little Lunch Music, a free concert with soprano Felicia Moore (Harriet Mosher in Emmeline), mezzo-soprano Emily Fons (Rosina in The Barber of Seville), baritone Jonathan Beyer (Figaro in The Barber of Seville), and pianist Andrea Grant, on Monday, June 22 at 12:30 PM.  The concert takes place at Manchester United Methodist Church, 129 Woods Mills Road in Manchester.  For more information, you may visit experienceopera.org or call 314-961-0644.

Richard the Lionheart
Photo: Ken Howard

Opera Theatre of St. Louis presents the American premiere of Handel's Richard the Lionheart Wednesday and Friday at 8 p.m., June 24 and 26. "If you only know him from Robin Hood, you don't know the whole story of Richard the Lionheart. Shipwrecked on the way to the Third Crusade, one of England's bravest kings must disguise himself to protect his future bride and prevent war in a foreign land. But who can he trust in this all-too-real game of thrones? Handel's virtuosic vocal writing in this opera, never before heard in the United States, makes Richard an eagerly-anticipated event for all music-lovers." Performances take place at the Loretto-Hilton Center at 135 Edgar Road on the Webster University campus. All performances are sung in English with projected English text. For more information: experienceopera.org or call 314-961-0644. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

La Rondine
Photo: Ken Howard

Opera Theatre of St. Louis presents Puccini's La Rondine Wednesday, June 24, at 1 p.m. and Sunday, June 28, at 7 p.m. " Can a beautiful, sophisticated Parisian courtesan find happiness with a young man from the country? Or is her love affair doomed by a past she cannot keep secret? Celebrated OTSL music directorStephen Lord brings Puccini's gorgeous music and romantic storytelling to life in this stunning, newbelle epoque period production." Performances take place at the Loretto-Hilton Center at 135 Edgar Road on the Webster University campus. All performances are sung in English with projected English text. For more information: experienceopera.org or call 314-961-0644. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra presents The Music of U2 on Friday, June 26, at 7:30 p.m.   "Dubbed by Rolling Stone as the ‘Biggest Band in the World,’ U2 has released 13 albums and sold more than 150 million records worldwide. Channeling the global celebrity stardom of frontman Bono and the musicians of U2, conductor Brent Haven, the STL Symphony and a rock band perform U2’s greatest hits.”  The performance takes place at Powell Symphony Hall, 718 North Grand.  For more information: stlsymphony.org.

The Tavern of Fine Arts presents cellist Bjorn Ranheim in a program of Bach's Cello Suites 1, 3, and 5 on Monday, June 22, at 8 PM.  The Tavern of Fine Arts is at 313 Belt in the Debaliviere Place neighborhood.  For more information: tavern-of-fine-arts.blogspot.com.