The Buzz: Classical
"Don Carlo": Since taking over as music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, James Levine has introduced a dependable new highlight to the summer season in the Berkshires. Each year, he works intensively with the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra, turning this ad hoc assembly of young professionals into a finely tuned and responsive opera orchestra. Last year they showed off the results with Strauss's "Elektra." This summer it will be a concert performance of Verdi's "Don Carlo" (in its four-act version) with a high-caliber cast including Patricia Racette, Luciana D'Intino, Johan Botha, James Morris , and Zeljko Lucic. July 28 at 7:30 p.m., Koussevitzky Music Shed, Tanglewood. 617-266-1200, tanglewood .org
Pierre-Laurent Aimard: This superb French pianist, who conquered Bartok's Second Concerto with the BSO this season, returns to Tanglewood as a soloist with the BSO in Ravel's Piano Concerto in G. But new-music fans will not want to miss his solo recital that same week, in which he will toggle thoughtfully between centuries, contrasting Bach's "Art of Fugue" with new works by George Benjamin and Elliott Carter. Aug. 8 at 8:30 p.m., Seiji Ozawa Hall, Tanglewood. 617-266-1200, tangle wood.org
"David and 'Old Ironsides' ": Under Charles Ansbacher's direction, the Boston Landmarks Orchestra has started a tradition of commissioning new family-friendly works (with narration) based on local themes. Previous Boston icons they've tapped for inspiration include "Make Way for Ducklings" and the Red Sox. This year, local composer Larry Thomas Bell and children's author Constance Leeds have created a work based on the historic story of a young sailor named David who worked on the USS Constitution. The premiere will take place right next to Old Ironsides, followed by several other local performances. All are free. July 31 at 7 p.m., Charlestown Navy Yard, Boston National Historical Park. 617-520-2202, landmarksorchestra.org
Zemlinsky double bill: Alexander Zemlinsky is most commonly remembered as the teacher of Arnold Schoenberg, but he was also a fascinating composer in his own right and one whose music is only now getting a fair hearing and reassessment. In that spirit, Bard's Summerscape Festival is presenting Zemlinsky's two Oscar Wilde-based operas -- "The Dwarf" and "A Florentine Tragedy" -- in a double bill staged by Olivier Tambosi. Five performances beginning July 27. Fisher Center, Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, N.Y. 845-758-7900, summerscape.bard.edu
Kirov "Ring Cycle " : Russian repertoire is naturally the Kirov Opera's calling card, but under Valery Gergiev's frenetic and impassioned leadership, the company has added Wagner to its offerings. The Kirov's production of " The Ring Cycle ," coming this summer to the Lincoln Center Festival, has earned critical raves as an iconic Russian take on hallowed Wagnerian ground. The full tetralogy will be performed twice under Gergiev's baton. Beginning July 13 at the Metropolitan Opera, New York. 212-721-6500, lincolncenter .org
JEREMY EICHLER 
