| Conductor Daniele Gatti leads Orchestre National de France, the pride of Radio France and the country's greatest symphony orchestra, and joined by violin virtuoso Julian Rachlin. Orchestre National de France as been enjoying a renaissance since Italian conductor Daniele Gatti became its music director in 2008. Gatti's genius in renewing a great French ensemble will transform a program that begins with the sheer magic of Debussy's Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune, followed by the visceral intensity of Dmitri Shostakovich's Violin Concerto No. 1, with violinist Julian Rachlin as soloist, and Tchaikovsky's aching beautiful Symphony No. 5. Born in Lithuania but raised in Vienna, his adopted home, Rachlin was described by The Los Angeles Times as "the real thing, a virtuoso with heart and a champion's bearing." When the violinist opened the Cleveland Orchestra's 2012-13 season with the Brahms concerto (and as a last-minute replacement), he was hailed in The Cleveland Plain Dealer for his "supremely burnished tone ... a superb technician in a note-perfect performance." Gatti has emerged as one of the most admired conductors of his time, both for his interpretations and his masterful command of orchestral sound. In 2014, Amsterdam's Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra chose him as its new principal conductor. Gatti's mastery of the orchestral repertoire is one of the high points of classical music today. When the conductor recorded Tchaikovsky's Fourth and Fifth Symphonies, one American critic wrote, "Daniele Gatti's Tchaikovsky has everything: passion, precision, and a real interpretive point of view." Join NJPAC for the Bank of America Classical Overtures, held an hour prior to each classical concert. These interactive presentations are hosted by Maestro George Marriner Maull of New Jersey's Discovery Orchestra and are free to ticket holders. Program - Debussy: Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune
- Shostakovich: Violin Concerto No. 1
- Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 55
For performance details, click here.
| C.S. Lewis' beloved and magical novel comes to life through dance! This world premiere, choreographed by Randy James, features members of 10 Hairy Legs dance company and special guests. The classic story The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, set in the fictitious Narnia, features all of your favorite characters: the heroine Lucy and her siblings, the White Witch, Tumnus, Maugrim, Mr. and Mrs. Beaver, nymphs, giants and, of course, Aslan the lion. Follow them through the land of forever winter to see if they can break the evil spell cast by the White Witch. Presented in one act, this performance is suitable for children ages 5 and older. For performance details, click here.
| Chase away the winter blues and begin the year with energy, cheer, fun and wit by celebrating the Year of the Monkey with the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company! Dancers and acrobats in dazzling costumes move to exotic music, bringing a smile to your face and warmth to your heart. Get close to the creative, magical powers of the Monkey King, who can transform himself into any object he wishes and crosses the Earth in a single somersault. At this performance from Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company, the Monkey King is joined by the spirit of dragons and lions as they welcome the return of Spring. Feast of the Monkey King: After the performance, bring your friends and family to join the dancers and performers for a 10-Course banquet. WHEN: Sat. Feb 6, 2016 4PM
WHERE: Robert Treat Hotel Crystal Ballroom (across from NJPAC) Arrive in the lobby a half-hour before the show to witness the magic of a paper-cutting demonstration and browse through the Silk Road Market for that special gift. For performance details, click here.
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Simply Streisand WHEN: Saturday, February 6; Two Performances: 6pm and 8:30pm
WHERE: The Chase Room Produced by Feinstein's / 54 Below TICKETS: Start at $45 | | In this celebration of all things Babs, some of the finest voices from Broadway and Manhattan cabarets celebrate the music of a legend, from Funny Girl and The Way We Were to little gems from A Star Is Born and Yentl. Simply Streisand features a stellar cast including Alexis Cole, Natalie Douglas, Molly Pope, Kelli Rabke and Lucia Spina. With more than 45 best-selling albums, Barbra Streisand has stood the test of time like no other artist. At Simply Streisand, you'll hear an array of music from her catalog, accompanied by a three-piece band and narrated by producer Phil Geoffrey Bond. From Streisand's humble beginnings in the cabarets of Greenwich Village straight through to her mega-stardom, Simply Streisand covers it all! For performance details, click here.
| A live event that combines classical music with two beloved Disney movies! The Czech National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Ted Sperling, accompanies scenes from the animated feature films Fantasia and Fantasia 2000. The Czech National Symphony Orchestra and conductor Ted Sperling share Disney's crown jewels of animation, Fantasia and Fantasia 2000, highlighting a selection of its magnificent repertoire, including Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker suite. Other iconic moments from Disney's stunning footage is shown in high-definition on the big screen, such as Mickey Mouse as he dabbles in magic in Dukas' The Sorcerer's Apprentice and the mythical unicorns and winged horses that accompany Beethoven's Symphony No. 6 ("Pastoral"). For performance details, click here. | | | | |
