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Brenna Wells and Jason McStoots in John Blow's ''Venus and Adonis.'' (David Walker) |
Entertainment abounds: classical music
ROCKPORT CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL This popular North Shore festival has big plans for a new concert hall slated to open next summer, and its offerings next month should help build some momentum for the move. The Cleveland Orchestra's concertmaster William Preucil will open the season in a recital partnered by pianist (and Rockport artistic director) David Deveau. Other highlights should include appearances by the St. Lawrence String Quartet, the maverick pianist Marc-Andre Hamelin, cellist David Finckel with pianist Wu Han, and the Borromeo String Quartet with clarinetist Richard Stoltzman. June 4-July 2, Rockport Art Association, 978-546-7391, www.rockportmusic.org
BOSTON EARLY MUSIC FESTIVAL Every other year, for a brief stretch in June, BEMF turns the city into a mecca for early music pilgrims from around the country, and even from overseas, with nine days of concerts, operas, symposia, lectures, workshops, family programs, and a trade show. Anchoring this year's festival will be a new production of Monteverdi's "Coronation of Poppea" at the Calderwood Pavilion as well as the return of a double bill of chamber operas (John Blow's "Venus and Adonis" and Charpentier's "Actéon") first performed last fall in Jordan Hall. Among the many visiting performers will be the Dutch cellist Pieter Wispelwey and the British ensemble Stile Antico, in its American debut. June 6-14, various venues, 617-661-1812, www.bemf.org
TANGLEWOOD'S OZAWA HALL It's too bad the BSO doesn't run an Ozawa Hall-style series in Boston during the year, but at least in summer, the orchestra puts on its presenting hat and hosts visiting artists in performance. This summer, keep an eye out for the Emerson and Juilliard quartets, Jordi Savall's Le Concert des Nations, Mark Morris Dance Group, baritone Thomas Hampson in recital, and violinist Christian Tetzlaff and pianist Alexander Lonquich traversing the complete Beethoven Violin Sonatas over three nights. In early August, the Tanglewood Music Center sweeps in with the Festival of Contemporary Music, directed this year by the composer Augusta Read Thomas. June 22-Sept. 6, 617-266-1200, www.tanglewood.org
YELLOW BARN Northern New England is generously dotted with bucolic summer music festivals. This one is small but inviting. With the vibrant energy of its early-career musicians and some grounding by seasoned veterans, it distinguishes itself through lively programming that mixes familiar works and bracing new music. For the upcoming 40th summer season, So Percussion will return, Leon Kirchner will be a resident composer, and concerts on a given week might dart from Beethoven to Berio or Brahms to Lachenmann. June 21-Aug. 8, 800-639-3819, www.yellowbarn.org
BOSTON LANDMARKS ORCHESTRA During the summer months, most classical music flees for the hills but Charles Ansbacher's ensemble makes sure there are still concerts to attend in the city, and free ones at that. This year's weekly series of Wednesday night concerts at the Hatch Shell opens on July 15, and includes performances by the Landmarks Orchestra itself, the Youth Orchestra of the Americas, and the Longwood Symphony. A new Thursday night film series opens at the Hatch Shell in September. 617-520-2200, www.landmarksorchestra.org
JEREMY EICHLER 
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