Theater in NYC: Hans Christian Andersen – Tales Real & Imagined

Theater in NYC: Hans Christian Andersen – Tales Real & Imagined

A play about the life of the beloved author of fairy-tales Hans Christian Andersen opens at The Duke on 42nd Street from May 5 – May 25, 2019

Jimmy Ray Bennett in the title role of HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN: TALES REAL & IMAGINED by Ensemble for the Romantic Century
Jimmy Ray Bennett as HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN: TALES REAL & IMAGINED by Ensemble for the Romantic Century; Photo credit: Shirin Tinati

The Ensemble for the Romantic Century tells a story about Andersen’s life by weaving in Andersen’s autobiographical writings, his fairy tales, and the emotionally deep musical scores by Britten, Purcell, Part, Stravinsky, and Barber. The production about the beloved children’s book writer is much more serious and deep than the name suggests. It runs at The Duke on 42nd Street from May 5 – May 25, 2019.

The artistic directors of the Hans Christian Andersen: Tales Real & Imagined use the genre of theatrical concert, combining theater, classical music repertoire, voice, and puppets. Accompanied by highly sensual music, Eve Wolf’s script tells the touching story of Andersen’s life by intertwining biographical details with references to the characters from his famous fairy tales. The scores by Purcell, Britten, Arvo Part, Stravinsky, and Barber organically color the episodes of Andersen’s life in tense, poetic, and desperate hues. Performed by the outstanding pianists Max Barros and Carlos Avila, and a formidable percussionist Shiqi Zhong, the music often takes an upper hand over the rest of the production’s components.

Jimmy Ray Bennet stars as Andersen with countertenors Daniel Moody and Randall Scotting alternating as Andersen’s dearest friend Edvard Collin. They are joined on stage by the familiar puppets from The Ugly Duckling, The Princess and the Pea, The Little Mermaid, and other fairy tales. While giving a nod to Andersen’s childhood interests in the puppet theater, the puppets and the puppeteers are a tenuous addition to the show. The musicians and singers, on the other hand, save the day by making the music tell it all.

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Beyond NYC: Midland Music Concert Series at the Bronxville Women’s Club in Bronxville, NY

Beyond NYC: Midland Music Concert Series at the Bronxville Women’s Club in Bronxville, NY

Serious music at the historic clubhouse with an all-Russian program for two-pianos for the season-opening night on October 27, 2018

Classical Music Piano Concert Bronxville Women's Club NY
Oxana Mikhailoff, Vassily Primakov, Natalia Lavrova / Photo credit: Paul Royce

Engaging series of chamber concerts in a salon-like setting of the historic architectural landmark in Bronxville, NY, the Midland Concert Series are striving to illuminate its music selections for the maximum audience enjoyment and gratification. Its 2018 Season opens with an enchanting all-Russian music program for two pianos and six (6)!!!! hands featuring Two Suites by Rachmaninoff and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony “Pathetique” transcribed for two-pianos.

This one-of-a-kind concert brings together Vassily Primakov, a passionate interpreter of Chopin, Oxana Mikhailoff, a poetic pianist, sought-after music educator, and a passionate director of the Midland Music Series, and Natalia Lavrova, a pianist known for her sincerity in playing in solo recitals and concerts and a formidable art administrator.

The series is promising to be a delight for the music lovers. Book your tickets for the opening night on Saturday, October 27, 2018 at 7.30pm here.

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