Chicago shoulders bigger art

Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago: On May 16, the Art Institute opened this 264,000-square-foot addition designed by Renzo Piano. The largest expansion in the institute's history, it increases the size to more than a million square feet and makes it the second-largest museum in the country. The 65,000 square feet of gallery space in the Modern Wing will be devoted to the institute's holdings in European painting and sculpture, contemporary art, photography, and architecture and design. Also part of the addition are an interior garden, an outdoor sculpture terrace, a cafe, restaurant, and pedestrian bridge to Chicago's Millennium Park. Six of the galleries are reserved for special exhibitions. The most notable of those currently on display is "Cy Twombly: The Natural World, Selected Works 2000-2007," which runs through Sept. 13. The 31 works in the exhibition include paintings, sculptures, photographs, and works on paper. Many of the objects have not been previously exhibited in the United States. 111 South Michigan Ave., 312-443-3600, www.artic.edu/aic.

THROUGH SEPT. 20

PHILADELPHIA

"Star Trek: The Exhibition": Drawing on all five television series and 10 of the 11 movies, the Franklin Institute has assembled a comprehensive tribute to the world of Mr. Spock and Captains Kirk, Picard, and the rest. Among the many costumes and props on display are the "Next Generation" bridge, the Starship Enterprise's engine room, and, of course, Captain Kirk's original chair. 222 North 20th St., 215-448-1200, www2.fi.edu.

JULY 3-18

MONTREUX, SWITZERLAND

Montreux Jazz Festival: This 43d edition of the celebrated musical gathering features performers ranging from Steely Dan and the Dave Matthews Band to B.B. King, the Blind Boys of Alabama, and McCoy Tyner. The most notable event should come on July 5, when the classical pianist Lang Lang joins Herbie Hancock for an evening of solo and duo performances with orchestral accompaniment from the Orchestre National de Lyon. 011-41-900-800-800, www.montreuxjazz.com/?lang=en.

JULY 3-AUG. 29

SANTA FE

Santa Fe Opera: The highlight of this season is a world premiere, Paul Moravec's "The Letter," which is based on the Somerset Maugham short story (adapted for a 1940 film that starred Bette Davis). There are three new productions, of Verdi's "La Traviata," Gluck's "Alceste," and Donizetti's "The Elixir of Love." Rounding out the season is a revival of Mozart's "Don Giovanni." 17053 US Highway 84/285, 800-280-4654, www.santafeopera.org.

JULY 7-SEPT. 27

BARCELONA

"This Is War! Robert Capa at Work": More than half a century after his death, Capa remains the war photographer par excellence. This exhibition at the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya gathers some 150 Capa photographs taken during the Spanish Civil War, World War II, and in French Indochina, where he died. "Gerda Taro," a companion exhibition that runs concurrently with the Capa show, offers more than 80 photographs from his lover and professional partner. Parc de Montjuïc, 011-34-93-622-03-75, www.mnac.cat.

JULY 18-AUG. 25

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y.

Glimmerglass Opera: If Santa Fe is too far away (or not close enough to the Baseball Hall of Fame), there's Glimmerglass as an alternative. This year's program consists of a quartet: Purcell's "Dido and Aeneas," Rossini's "La Cenerentola," Verdi's "La Traviata," and Menotti's "The Consul." 18 Chestnut St., 607-547-2255, www.glimmerglassopera.org.

PLAN AHEAD

SEPT. 2-12

Venice International Film Festival: This 66th edition of the world's oldest film festival celebrates the achievements of Pixar Animation Studios. Highlights include the world premiere screenings of the 3D versions of "Toy Story" and "Toy Story 2." The festival's Golden Lion award for lifetime achievement will go to John Lasseter and fellow Pixar film directors Brad Bird, Andrew Stanton, Pete Docter, and Lee Unkrich. 011-39-041-521-8861, www.labiennale.org/en/cinema.

MARK FEENEY

Events are sometimes canceled, rescheduled, or sold out; check online to confirm. Mark Feeney can be reached at mfeeney@ globe.com.