Classical, Etc.
•
Seattle Opera Fascist imagery, deco furniture, and Marie Anne Chiment’s lovely vintage costumes place this Rigoletto in the 1930s, like the renaissance a high point in Italian history for the abuse of power. Portraying, grippingly, this corrupt society’s emotional toll is Marco Vratogna as the title court jester–self-loathing in his sucking-up to power, guilt and anguish running through every passionately full-voiced line. As Gilda, the daughter he cherishes and shelters (to a fault), Nadine Sierra sings with a marvelous lightness, youthful in timbre if mature in body, flexibility, and assurance. The same is true of Francesco Demuro as the Duke, who seduces her; so well-matched are they in vocal weight that it shades the drama with a cruel irony: They’re perfect for each other in musical terms yet inevitably doomed by the libretto. Bringing his distinctively colored voice and imposing stage presence as killer-for-hire Sparafucile is Andrea Silvestrelli, memorable as Fasolt and Hunding in last summer’s Ring and a very welcome returnee. Judging by the thrill that rippled through the audience at the end of his first scene, his was the evening’s most impressive performance. Still, there’s no mistaking the opera’s misanthropic view of human nature. Power corrupts, but so do lust, money, fear, the thirst for revenge, and whatever it is Gilda wants. Verdi indicts everyone—nobody in Rigoletto is honest. GAVIN BORCHERT McCaw Hall, Seattle Center, 389-7676, seattleopera.org. $25 and up. 7:30 p.m. Wed., Jan. 22, Fri., Jan. 24, Sat., Jan. 25. Ends Jan. 25.
Seattle Symphony With half the orchestra on Rigoletto duty, Marcelo Lehninger conducts chamber-orchestra works: symphonies by Mozart and Prokofiev and concertos by Prokofiev and Haydn. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., 215-4747, seattlesymphony.org. $19–$112. 7:30 p.m. Thurs., Jan. 23, 8 p.m. Sat., Jan. 25, 2 p.m. Sun., Jan. 26.
•
Seattle Chamber Music Winter Festival SEE THE PICK LIST, PAGE 20.
UW Chamber Orchestra Haydn and Mozart in a nice intimate space. Brechemin Auditorium, School of Music, UW campus, 685-8384, music.washington.edu. $5. 7:30 p.m. Fri., Jan. 24.
•
Existence Habit Sonic exploration (voice, electronics, prepared guitar, bass) from this trio from Astoria, Ore.; Seattle’s Bill Horist and Paul Hoskin open. Gallery 1412, 1412 18th Ave. E., existencehabit.wordpress.com. 8 p.m. Fri., Jan. 24.
Trio Paradies Early-romantic music on period instruments. Queen Anne Christian Church, 1316 Third Ave. W., 726-6088, galleryconcerts.org. $15–$30. 7:30 p.m. Sat., Jan. 25, 3 p.m. Sun., Jan. 26.
Music of Remembrance As part of their “Sparks of Glory” chamber-music series, music by Erwin Schulhoff, Hans Krasa, and others. UW Hillel, 4745 17th Ave. N.E., musicofremembrance.org. Free. 7 p.m. Mon., Jan. 27.
Jeffrey Cohan & John Lenti Music for flute and lute from the age of Louis XV. Christ Episcopal Church, 4548 Brooklyn Ave., 633-1611, salishseafestival.org. $15–$20. 7:30 p.m. Mon., Jan. 27.
•
Mozart’s Birthday Toast Celebrate his 257th with sonatas, arias, and his clarinet/viola/piano trio, plus bubbles and sweets. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 652-4255, townhallseattle.org. $13–$18. 7:30 p.m. Mon., Jan. 27.
•
Instead Of A music and dance performance (not sure who’ll be doing what) from this quartet and special guests (Stuart Dempster, Steve Peters, and others). Chapel Performance Space, 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N., 789-1939, waywardmusic.blogspot.com. $10–$15. 8 p.m. Tues., Jan. 28.
