Performing Arts
‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’
William Shakespeare’s romantic comedy about woods enchanted by fairies is brought to life by two-time Tony winner Bebe Neuwirth and actress Christina Ricci at the Classic Stage Company. Directed by Tony Speciale, Neuwirth plays the fairy queen Titantia and Ricci plays the love interest, Hermia.
Classic Stage Company, 136 E. 13th St.,
Now–May 20, 2012
Tuesday’s 7 p.m.; Wednesday–Saturday 8 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday 3 p.m.
Tickets: $75–$125
www.classicstage.org
Wagner’s Ring Cycle
Richard Wagner’s epic four-opera cycle tells the story of ancient Gods’ generations-long quest to regain a magic ring. Director Robert Lapage told the Metropolitan Opera: “I try to be extremely respectful of Wagner’s storytelling, but in a very modern context. We’re trying to see how in our day and age we can tell this classical story in the most complete way.” There are two staggered performance cycles left this season. The first installment is 2.5 hours, and the others are 5–6 hours.
The Metropolitan Opera House, Lincoln Center
Now through May 12
Times vary
Tickets: $45–$875
www.metoperafamily.org
‘Gilbert & Sullivan, The Ballet!’
Set to live choral arrangements of Gilbert & Sullivan favorites, this production by Dances Patrelle is billed as “a raucous evening of classical ballet.” Three comic operas are featured: “The Pirates of Penzance,” “The Mikado,” and “H.M.S. Pinafore.”
Dicapo Opera Theatre, 184 E. 76th St.,
May 3–5 7:30 p.m. and May 5–6 2 p.m.
Tickets: $35
www.dancespatrelle.org
‘Billy Budd’
Herman Melville’s 1891 novella following the tragic story of an English sailor wrongly accused is brought to life as an opera by composer Benjamin Britten. Three hours with one intermission. Sung in English with Met titles in English, German, and Spanish.
The Metropolitan Opera House, Lincoln Center
May 4, 10, and 12, 7:30 p.m. (May 12, 9 p.m.)
Tickets: $25–$415
www.metopera.org
All Robbins Ballet
The New York City Ballet will perform four ballets all choreographed by Jerome Robbins (1918-1998) including “In the Night” with music by Chopin; “The Cage” with music by Stravinsky; “Andantino” with music by Tchaikovsky; and “In G Major” with music by Ravel.
David H. Koch Theater, Lincoln Center
Saturday May 5 at 2 p.m., Sunday May 6 at 3 p.m., Tuesday May 8 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $29–$149
www.nycballet.com
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‘Late Night Rose’
Giving a late night performance of chamber music in an intimate setting, a string and piano quartet from Lincoln Center’s Chamber Music Society will perform works by Rolla and Schumann. Host Patrick Castillo will provide musical and contextual commentary.
Daniel & Joanna S. Rose Studio, Lincoln Center
Thursday, May 10, 9:30 p.m.
Ticket Price: $37
www.chambermusicsociety.org
‘Orpheus’
Georg Philipp Telemann’s soaring 1726 opera tells the Greek myth of Orpheus, whose charming voice leads his love, Eurydice, from the underworld. This version pays special attention to the character Orasia, Queen of Thrace, who is driven by jealousy for Orpheus’s affection. Three hours.
El Museo del Barrio, 1230 Fifth Ave.,
Tickets: $60–$150
May 12, 15, 17, 20
7:30 p.m. (1:30 on May 20)
www.nycopera.com
Fine Arts
A Window on Nature: Art of Asuka Hishiki
These 35 watercolors depict plants and insects in superb detail and refreshing style. Artist Asuka Hishiki takes her inspiration from 18th century naturalist and scientific illustrator Maria Sibylla Merian. Hishiki writes, “I love to share the beauty and the simple and quiet moments.”
The Arsenal (in Central Park) 830 Fifth Ave.,
Now through June 6
Weekdays only, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Free
www.nycgovparks.org
Beauties of the Gilded Age: Peter Marié’s Miniatures of Society Women
These nearly 300 watercolor-on-ivory miniatures are portraits of women believed epitomize female beauty. They were commissioned by New York socialite Peter Marié, between 1889 and 1903, amid the rapid development and luxury of America’s Gilded Age. The fragile and rarely exhibited portraits will be displayed in four-month rotations.
New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park West
Now through July 8
Admission:$15, kids 7–13 $5, under 7 free
www.nyhistory.org
Patricia Watwood: Myths and Individuals
Patricia Watwood’s contemporary classic paintings, many of them masterful lifelike portraits, are on display at The Forbes Galleries. Watwood writes, “I chase what artists in the past have also chased—a celebration of the human form, a passion for and humility before nature, a belief that metaphor and narrative can help us puzzle out the mysteries of our time here on earth, and a belief in the emotional power of the common visual language of representation.”
The Forbes Galleries, 62 Fifth Ave.,
Now through June 9, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Admission is free
www.forbesgalleries.com
19th Century European Art Viewings and Auction
Sotheby’s spring sale of 19th century European art includes masterpieces such as William Bouguereau’s “Girl with a Pomegranate” (estimate: $500,000–$700,000), John William Godward’s “A Fair Reflection” (estimate: $400,000–$600,000), and James-Jacques-Joseph Tissot’s “The Morning Ride” (estimate: $2million–$3 million).
Sotheby’s New York, 1334 York Ave.,
Sale: Friday, May 4, 10 a.m.; Viewings: April 27–May 3, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. (opens Sunday at 1 p.m.)
Viewing is free, Auction requires registration
www.sothebys.com
The Printed Image in China, 8th–21st Century
China was the most advanced civilization on earth for many centuries, inventing both paper and printing. This exhibit explores the emergence and flourishing of Chinese printed art with 136 prints drawn from the British Museum.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Saturday May 5 through July 29
Tickets: $25, Children under 12 free
www.metmuseum.org
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Family
‘Monkey King’: A Story from China
A children’s exhibit exploring the classic Chinese tale of the ‘Monkey King.’ The mischievous supernatural monkey decides to mend his ways by embarking on an epic journey across China to retrieve the Buddhist scriptures from India. For ages 4 and up.
Children’s Museum of Manhattan, The Tisch Building at 212 W. 83rd St.,
Ongoing, Tuesday–Sunday 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Saturday until 7 p.m.
Admission: $11 for everyone over 12 months old
www.cmom.org
On a Wing: Butterflies
Children first craft a butterfly hand puppet. Then they get to listen to a talk featuring live butterflies and caterpillars. Finally, they release native painted lady butterflies in Central Park’s Shakespeare Garden. All ages welcome. No advance registration. Weather permitting.
Belvedere Castle, Central Park
Saturday, May 5
12 p.m.–1:30 p.m.
This event is free, no registration required
(212) 772-0210
www.nycgovparks.org
Salzburg Marionette Theater
This nearly 100-year-old Austrian marionette theater company will delight children with performances set to piano music by Debussy and Schumann. Works include Debussy’s “Children’s Corner” comprised of six short pieces that were composed for his 3-year-old daughter Chouchou.
Zankel Hall, Carnegie Hall
Saturday, May 5, 7:30 p.m., Sunday May 6, 1 p.m.
Saturday tickets: $60–$75, Sunday tickets: $9–$15
www.carnegiehall.org
A Medieval Storybook
Part of the Family programs offered by The Cloisters, this children’s event explores how people in the Middle Ages told stories. Children learn through tapestries, paintings, and stained glass windows.
The Cloisters, Fort Tryon Park
Sunday May 6, 1–2 p.m.
Admission: $25, children under 12 free
www.metmuseum.org/visit/visit-the-cloisters
Submit Arts Events
The arts at their best are not purely for entertainment or the reinvention of art itself. Rather, they strive forward with traditional forms, toward technical mastery, and place the highest value on moral virtue and the spiritually sublime.
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