Music Features

This week, we're at rehearsals for the Opera Company of Philadelphia's season ending performance of The Marriage of Figaro to speak with mezzo soprano Kirstin Chavez. Jason Peifer previews The Pirate at the Prince Music Theater. The new musical is a live stage adaptation of a 1949 Vincente Minnelli film starring Gene Kelly and Judy Garland. And Susan Lewis explores the history of music theater.

On this week's Creatively Speaking!, a conversation with Vänskä. He's in town to conduct the Philadelphia Orchestra. Jason Peifer visits the Delaware Theatre Company as they stage the premiere of A Murder, A Mystery & A Marriage. The new musical is an adaptation of a Mark Twain short-story. We speak with new President and CEO of the Philadelphia Orchestra, James Undercoffler. We look at a new art exhibit called "Soft Sites" which explores location and takes visitors "on location" from the Institute of Contemporary Art to Historic Bartram's Garden.

A conversation with Curtis Institute of Music president Gary Graffman who retires this year, and incoming president Roberto Diaz. Jason Peifer visits The Wilma Theater as they mount a festival of Caryl Churchill plays. The celebration will include two full productions and readings of five Churchill plays. As the Kimmel Center unveils a new work of art, Susan Lewis explores Philadelphia's history of promoting public art, from classical sculptures to clothespins. In our regular exploration of the CultureFiles section of GoPhila.com, we visit Historic Fallsington.

This week Jill will be speaking with Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Paul Moravec, who will be in town for the world premier of his newest work, USEFUL KNOWLEDGE--a Franklin Fantasy, commissioned by the American Philosophical Society for the celebration of Benjamin Franklin's 300th birthday. A brilliant educator as well, Mr. Moravec has been recognized as a significant new compositional voice receiving honors such as the Rome Prize and fellowships from the Rockefeller Foundation, the NEA and the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

Karl Middleman, music director of the New Philadelphia Classical Symphony discusses their upcoming concert focusing on the allure and music of China.