Gables Museum launches music series with tribute to Debussy
The Coral Gables Museum presents its inaugural 2012-2013 Museum Music Series, a diverse collection of nine musical performances by talented musicians and performing arts groups invited by the museum’s Performing Arts Advisory Committee to celebrate museum exhibits and holidays.
More than a venue for exhibits, the museum, 285 Aragon Ave., is a community gathering place, a cultural venue that presents quality lectures, tours and now … concerts.
The first concert in the series is Clair de Lune: A Tribute to Claude Debussy by Angelica Sganga (piano) with a special appearance by Huifang Chen (violin). This concert, Friday, Oct. 26, 7:30 p.m., is presented on the 150th anniversary of the French composer’s birth.
“This recital means a lot to me because, like many all over the world, I admire Claude Debussy tremendously and feel it is my duty as a musician to pay tribute to his life,” says Ms. Sganga. “He made such a big difference in music history with his brilliant mind, and the least I could do was to share some of his music with the people in our community.”
Admission to the inaugural concert is $30; $20 for museum members. Seating is limited. Future concerts in the Museum Music Series are listed below; for more information visit coralgablesmuseum.org.
Bacardi’s Story Told through Piano
Saturday, Nov. 17, 6:30 p.m.
In celebration of the Building Bacardi exhibit and Bacardi’s 150th Anniversary, students from the FIU Piano Department (Dr. José R. López, coordinator) perform a selection of music by Cuban composers and other works related to the Bacardí family’s saga from Cataluña, Spain to the Americas. Reception to follow. $15; $10 for museum members and students.
Italy’s Ragazzoni Sisters perform Nutcracker for II Piano
Saturday, Dec. 15, 5 p.m.
Marzia and Fabiana Ragazzoni perform a holiday concert including Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite. This renown duo piano team has performed around the globe, from Caracas to Carnegie Hall, and won first prizes in numerous national and international music competitions. Co-sponsored by the Dranoff Foundation. Reception to follow. $40; $30 for museum members and Dranoff members; $10 for children.
Deering Estate Chamber Ensemble presents 150 Years of Musical Rumbas from Cuba and Beyond
Saturday, Jan. 12, 5 p.m.
Scott Flavin (violin), Laura Wilcox (viola), Ross Harbaugh (cello) and José R. López (piano) present works by Lecuona, Touzet, Turina, Delius, and Brahms, celebrating the Building Bacardi exhibition. $30, $20 museum members.
Alhambra String Quartet presents Valentine’s Day Concert
Thursday, Feb. 14, 7:30 p.m.
Alhambra String Quartet serenades guests with romantic classical and popular selections. $30; $20 museum members.
Florida Grand Opera performs selections from La traviata
Friday, March 8, 7:30 p.m.
Enjoy opera under the stars, Italian wine and a special preview of the museum’s new exhibit, Italy in Motion. Florida Grand Opera’s Young Artist Studio has gained worldwide recognition as one of the leading operatic training programs in the United States. A group of these talented artists will perform selections from Giuseppe Verdi’s La traviata as part of an hour long recital led by John Keene, chorus master and head of the Young Artist Studio. $30; $20 museum members.
Liszt’s Years of Pilgrimage in Italy
Saturday, March 23, 6:30 p.m.
The American Liszt Society’s South Florida Chapter, in collaboration with the piano departments of FIU’s School of Music and the University of Miami Frost School of Music, presents the second set from Franz Liszt’s Years of Pilgrimage, including the additional set Venezia e Napoli. Conceived during Liszt’s travels through Italy in the 1830s, the set presents music inspired by paintings and sculptures by Michelangelo and Raphael, and the writings of Petrarch and Dante. This concert celebrates the Italian design and architecture exhibits on view and the Year of Italian Culture. $20; $10 for museum members and students.
Amernet Quartet and Alhambra Orchestra present Italian Vistas
Sunday, April 28, 4 p.m.
This chamber orchestra concert features music of Italy through the ages in celebration of the Italian architecture and design exhibits on view and the 2013 Year of Italian Culture. Amernet Quartet and Alhambra Orchestra members perform, Dr. Donald Oglesby conducts. $30; $20 museum members.
Ottorino Respighi in Voice and Piano
Sunday, May 19, 2 p.m.
Lisette Jimenez (mezzo-soprano) and Robert Chumbley (piano) perform this full concert of works by Ottorino Respighi, best known for his orchestral Roman trilogy: Fountains of Rome, Pines of Rome and Roman Festivals, and Franz Liszt. This concert celebrates the Italian architecture exhibits on view curated by Carmen Guerrero, presented by University of Miami. $30; $20 museum members.
Purchase all concerts in this series for $255; for members, all concerts are $170. Limited seating available.
To purchase tickets, visit coralgablesmuseum.org or call the Coral Gables Museum at 305-603-8067. The Museum Music Series is made possible due to the generosity of Steinway Pianos, the official piano of the Coral Gables Museum.
