DECADE 9/11 in Classical Music and Opera

2011 marks the tenth anniversary of the horrendous terrorist attacks that changed America and the world forever. Celebrations in remembrance of the innocent victims, the heroic first-responders, and their families take place in cities across the US and around the world, with New York City naturally taking center stage. Concert halls will resound with music that recalls yet at the same time transcends the unspeakable violence of the tragedy and the unimaginable pain it caused, bringing to fore the HEALING POWER OF MUSIC. Special radio and TV programs are also scheduled.

Concert highlights include:

MAHLER's RESURRECTION (September 10 at 7:30 p.m. / Avery Fisher Hall) with the NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC conducted by music director Alan Gilbert. FREE on a first-come, first-served basis, the concert to will be broadcast on 105.9, WQXR-FM; on 93.9, WNYC-FM on Sept. 11 at 8 p.m.; and on PBS on Sept. 11 at 9 p.m. (check local listings).

GLOBAL SING FOR PEACE (Sept. 11 at 2:00 p.m. / Avery Fisher Hall) A choral concert hosted by composer Karl Jenkins who will also conduct his powerful work The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace along with the U.S. premiere of his recent work For The Fallen. The concert also features a piece by composer and conductor René Clausen entitled Memorial, which was composed specifically for the victims of 9/11. Other choirs across the US and other countries are also participating in the event by holding concerts of their own.


9/11, 10 YEARS LATER: AN EVENING OF REMEMBRANCE AND REFLECTION (Sept. 8 at 7:30 p.m. /Kennedy Center) An event at the hosted by Christiane Amanpour and featuring Wynton Marsalis, Emmylou Harris, Denyce Graves and the National Symphony Orchestra.

STARS OF LYRIC OPERA AT MILLENNIUM PARK (Sept. 10 at 7:30 p.m.) (The Lyric Opera of Chicago honors the victims of 9/11, their families and the members of the armed services at this annual outdoor concert, with arias by Bellini, Delibes, Donizetti, Gounod, Massenet, Offenbach and Puccini sung by an all-star cast led by Renée Fleming.  

There's MORE! CHECK OUT our comprehensive listing of events. READ MORE...

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COMMISSIONED WORKS

HEART OF A SOLDIER

SAN FRANCISCO OPERA presents the world premiere of Heart of a Soldier in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the devastating terrorist attacks of September 11. A tale of war, love and friendship, Heart of a Soldier premieres on September 10, 2011.  It tells the dramatic, extraordinary story of Rick Rescorla, a man trained to be a consummate soldier who gave up his own life saving thousands in the attacks on September 11, 2001. The work stars baritone THOMAS HAMPSON, tenor WILLIAM BURDEN and soprano MELODY MOORE.

The new opera by composer Christopher Theofanidis with a libretto by Donna Di Novelli, was commissioned by San Francisco Opera and is based on the critically acclaimed book of the same title by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist James B. Stewart and the life stories of Rick Rescorla, his wife and soul-mate Susan Rescorla, and friend Daniel J. Hill.

San Francisco Opera's commemoration of 9/11 also includes events ancillary to Heart of a Soldier held in various venues in the city. READ MORE...

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HOUSTON GRAND OPERA (HGO) presents the premiere of Pieces of 9/11, Memories from Houston, a specially commissioned song cycle by renowned American composer JAKE HEGGIE and librettist GENE SCHEER.

The work honors those who lost their lives on that fateful day and pays tribute to the actions and thoughts of rescue team and community members. On Sept 11, 2001, an unprecedented rescue and recovery effort began and continued for over nine months. Houston Fire Department and Texas Task Force One, the elite search and rescue team, sent 88 members to Ground Zero in New York to help in the search and recovery efforts.

Sung by a soprano, lyric baritone and girl soprano, the libretto is based on interviews conducted by Gene Scheer with first responders from the Houston area as well as family members of some victims. The work will be performed on Friday, September 9, Houston City Hall Reflection Pond and Sunday, September 11 at the world renowned Rothko Chapel. The events in Houston honoring the 10th anniversary of 9/11 includes a weekend of varied activities and community service.  READ MORE...

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AND... don't forget to revisit our feature story on JOHN ADAMS' hauntingly beautiful and deeply moving work "ON THE TRANSMIGRATION OF SOULS" - winner of the 2003 Pulitzer Prize in Music and the first major work in commemoration of 9/11 which was given its world premiere by the New York Philharmonic.