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New music from Philly to Africa, and 20th century classics
BSR Classical Interludes, April 2025
Gail Obenreder
April concerts open with new commissions by two Philadelphia composers, as well as a much-lauded early musician and his ensemble, chamber music from Africa, a large choral concert, and an iconic 20th century opera. Have a great time!
Mendelssohn Chorus: On the Horizon
Saturday, April 5, 4pm
Holy Trinity/Rittenhouse, 1904 Walnut Street, Philadelphia
This venerable choral ensemble, now in its 151st season, has commissioned a work by Philadelphia composer Melissa Dunphy—known for her politically and socially conscious compositions—that explores climate change and our planet’s future. The chorus appears with Timberdale Brass and Percussion and the Commonwealth Youth Choir, all under the direction of Dominick DiOrio. The performance begins at 4pm with a panel discussion featuring the composer, and the concert follows directly.
Orchestra 2001: Engoma Enteera, Classical Music from Uganda
Sunday, April 6, 2pm
Penn Museum/Widener Lecture Hall, 3260 South Street, Philadelphia
This intriguing concert—a reprise from the organization’s 2023-24 series—will feature four chamber works by Justinian Tamusuza, a leading voice in contemporary African classical music. The concert, blending Ugandan polyrhythms and Western classical styles, opens with the premiere of Mbeera Ggwe Wantonda, a work for two prepared harps, and also features works for string quartet, woodwind quartet, and soprano sax/marimba/electric guitar. Tickets to this one-hour concert include free admission to the museum.
Penn Live Arts: Jordi Savali and Hespérion XXI
Thursday, April 10, 7:30pm
Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral, 19 South 38th Street, Philadelphia
It seems incredible that Savali, early music interpreter and viola da gamba virtuoso, and his legendary ensemble Hespérion XXI are marking their Philadelphia premiere with this concert. Their eclectic performances feature meticulous research coupled with exciting performances that link musicology with our times. Concerts feature period works as well as improvisations, and this performance should be a perfect match with the evocative venue chosen by Penn Live Arts.
Jasper Chamber Concerts: Resonance
Thursday, April 10, 7:30pm
Chestnut Hill Friends Meeting, 20 East Mermaid Lane, Philadelphia
The Jasper String Quartet, residence at Temple’s Center for Gifted Young Musicians, next presents a concert featuring a new string quartet commissioned by Philadelphia composer Suzanne Sorkin. In this venue that features a James Turrell Skyspace, musicians J Freivogel and Karen Kim (violins), Andrew Gonzalez (viola), and cellist Rachel Henderson Freivogel will also play Benjamin Britten’s Three Divertimenti, Prokofiev’s Quartet No. 2, and Quartet No. 5 by Maddalena Lombardini Sirmen. The concert is free with suggested admission.
Curtis Opera Theatre: Candide
Friday, April 11, 7pm and Sunday, April 13, 2pm
Forrest Theatre, 1114 Walnut Street, Philadelphia
Closing its opera season, Curtis presents this sparkling work by Leonard Bernstein (1941 Curtis grad), an adaptation of Voltaire’s novella about “the best of all possible worlds.” Its iconic songs (“Glitter and Be Gay” and “Make Our Garden Grow”) have lyrics by 20th century greats—Richard Wilbur, Dorothy Parker, Lillian Hellman, Stephen Sondheim, and Bernstein—with a book by Hellman and Hugh Wheeler. David Charles Abell conducts the Curtis Symphony, with stage direction by Emma Griffin.
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