FRANKIE VALLI & THE FOUR SEASONS They call “Jersey Boys,’’ the musical retelling of this classic vocal group’s tale, a “jukebox musical’’ for a reason, since Valli’s hits — including “Dawn,’’ “Big Girls Don’t Cry,’’ “Sherry,’’ “Walk Like a Man,’’ “December 1963 (Oh What a Night)’’ — could fill one on their own. Expect to hear most of them over this four-night run. May 4, 6-7, 8 p.m., May 5, 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $70-$135. Wilbur Theatre. 800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com
Music: the week ahead
FRANKIE VALLI & THE FOUR SEASONS They call “Jersey Boys,’’ the musical retelling of this classic vocal group’s tale, a “jukebox musical’’ for a reason, since Valli’s hits — including “Dawn,’’ “Big Girls Don’t Cry,’’ “Sherry,’’ “Walk Like a Man,’’ “December 1963 (Oh What a Night)’’ — could fill one on their own. Expect to hear most of them over this four-night run. May 4, 6-7, 8 p.m., May 5, 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $70-$135. Wilbur Theatre. 800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com
POP & ROCK
DAVE HAUSE This Philly singer-songwriter and frontman for the punk band the Loved Ones is already in the running for my top 10 albums of 2011 list thanks to his terrific solo debut, “Resolutions.’’ I’ve had this collection of smart, funny, melancholy, and supremely hopeful rockers on repeat for months. April 29, 9 p.m. Tickets: $10. O’Brien’s Pub. 866-468-7619, www.ticketweb.com
DAVID HULL A journeyman bassist best known in these parts for his work in Farrenheit and the Joe Perry Project and his touring stints with Aerosmith, Hull has also played with folks like Buddy Miles and Joe Cocker. But the longtime sideman will be stepping into his own spotlight this weekend, hitting the stage to celebrate his new album “Soul in Motion.’’ April 30, 9 p.m. Tickets: $20. The Magic Room. www.magicroomgallery.com
THIRTY SECONDS TO MARS Jordan Catalano’s band is coming to Boston! OK, so not really, but dreams of “My So-Called Life’’ fans die hard. You’ve got to hand it to Jared Leto though: He has made one of the most commercially successful transitions from actor-who-initially-wanted-to-be-a-musician to bona fide rock star in recent memory with his beloved emo rockers. May 1, 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $27.50-$33. Agganis Arena. 800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com
SARAH RODMAN
FOLK, WORLD & COUNTRY
DAPHNE WILLIS “Because I Can’’ is the audacious name of Willis’s new album, and its brash mix of funk, folk, rock, and pop suggests this Chicago-based singer-songwriter chases her muse wherever it leads her. She’s headlining a show that also features fellow folk-pop contortionists Eric Stepanian and Mal Blum. April 29, 8 p.m. Tickets: $10. Cafe 939. 800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com
SPRINGTIME DULCIMER FESTIVAL Whether you want hands-on learning through workshops or simply would like to attend a concert, the Cambridge Center for Adult Education’s annual dulcimer festival is a treat for both players and fans of the mountain instrument. The workshops, which require registration, cater to both beginners and advanced players. The festival kicks off with a concert on Friday (8 p.m., $10) and then culminates with a free performance on Sunday afternoon at Harvard Square’s May Fair. April 29-May 1, various times and prices. The Blacksmith House, 56 Brattle St., Cambridge. 617-547-6789, www.dulcimerfestival.org
DANNY SCHMIDT This singer from Austin, Texas, has always been an expansive songwriter, from old-time gospel to Southern country-blues, all of which figure into Schmidt’s new album, “Man of Many Moons.’’ May 3, 8 p.m. Tickets: $14. Club Passim. 617-492-7679, www.clubpassim.com
KRIS KRISTOFFERSON Judging from his solo show in 2009 at the Wilbur Theatre, where the stage featured just a stool and guitar stands, Kristofferson is still in fine form as he revisits his 40-year catalog full of country music’s most transcendent songs (“Help Me Make It Through the Night,’’ “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down’’). May 4, 8 p.m. Tickets: $25-$45. Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, Worcester. 877-571-7469. www.thehanovertheatre.org
JAMES REED
JAZZ, BLUES & CABARET
DONNA BYRNE After a three-year hiatus, the acclaimed singer, a favorite with both critics and fellow performers (Tony Bennett’s a fan!), returns to Scullers with her favorite trio: pianist Tim Ray, bassist Marshall Wood, and drummer Jim Gwin. April 28, 8 p.m. Tickets: $20. Scullers. 617-562-4111, www.scullersjazz.com
DAVID MAXWELL’S MAXIMUM BLUES The master of seismic blues piano celebrates the release of “Conversations in Blue,’’ a riveting tribute to his idol Otis Spann, featuring Maxwell solo pieces and overdubbed collaborations with Spann solos from 1960. The gig will also honor the great, recently departed Pinetop Perkins. With guitarist Troy Gonyea, bassist Marty Ballou, and drummer Per Hanson. April 29, 7:30 and 10 p.m. Tickets: $20. Regattabar. 617-395-7757, www.regattabarjazz.com
THE OUTNUMBERED Boston-based musical adventurers Charlie Kohlhase (saxophones), Josh Rosen (piano), Bruno Raberg (bass), and Curt Newton (drums) join forces with Californian saxophonist Jason Robinson to perform original music that seamlessly segues from spacious soundscapes to heavy grooves, lyrical melody to cathartic dissonance. April 30, 10 p.m. Tickets: $10. Lily Pad. 1353 Cambridge St. Cambridge, www.lily-pad.net
KEVIN LOWENTHAL
CLASSICAL
BOSTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Macedonian pianist Simon Trpceski makes his BSO debut in Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 2. Also on the program will be Ravel’s “Bolero’’ and Reger’s Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Mozart. Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos conducts. April 28-30. Symphony Hall. 617-266-1200, www.bso.org
DAWN UPSHAW The affecting soprano offers a century-spanning recital program with works by Purcell, Schubert, Fauré, Messiaen, Rachmaninoff, Monteverdi, Bartók, Weill, Warlock, Mozart, and Dowland. 8 p.m., April 29. $50-$70. Jordan Hall. 617-482-6661, www.celebrityseries.org
HANDEL AND HAYDN SOCIETY Following up on last season’s theatrical performance of Mozart’s Mass in C minor, Harry Christophers and the Handel and Haydn Society turn their attention to the composer’s Requiem, in two performances to be recorded for future release. Also on the program will be Mozart’s “Ave Verum Corpus’’ (K. 618) and “Per questa bella mano’’ (K. 612) as well as Handel’s “Dixit Dominus.’’ With vocal soloists Elizabeth Watts, Phyllis Pancella, Andrew Kennedy, and Eric Owens. April 29 and May 1. $25-$87. Symphony Hall. 617-266-3605, www.handelandhaydn.org
“A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM’’ For its final mainstage production of the season, Boston Lyric Opera is presenting Britten’s imaginative opera, with a libretto adapted from Shakespeare’s original, in a new production by Tazewell Thompson. Music director David Angus conducts a cast that includes John Gaston, Nadine Sierra, Susanna Phillips, Andrew Shore, and Heather Johnson. April 29-May 10. Shubert Theatre. 617-542-4912, www.blo.org
CHRISTIAN TETZLAFF and ANTJE WEITHAAS Rockport Music presents a rare duo violin recital, with these two probing performers taking on works by Leclair, Bartok, De Beriot, and Ysaye. 8 p.m., April 30. Shalin Liu Performance Center, Rockport. 978-546-7391, www.rockportmusic.org
JEREMY EICHLER 
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