The vibrant arts scene in New York City never rests, both indoors and outdoors. Here are some noteworthy classic arts events happening this week:
- Bryant Park Picnic Performances are back this summer, starting on June 1. New York City Opera will kick off the series with a performance of Puccini's beloved opera, La Bohème. This free outdoor event will also be livestreamed on Bryant Park's website and social media platforms.
- The Metropolitan Opera continues its performances of La Bohème, as well as Mozart's Don Giovanni and Die Zauberflöte. On May 30, the season premiere of Wagner's Der Fliegende Holländer will take place. The production by François Girard premiered in 2020 but was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The cast includes Tomasz Konieczny as the cursed sailor, Elza van den Heever as Senta, Eric Cutler returning to the Met after 2013 as Erik, Dmitry Belosselskiy as Daland, Richard Trey Smagur as the Steersman, and Eve Gigliotti as Mary. Conductor Thomas Guggeis will make his Met debut.
- From May 31, The Little Opera Theatre of New York will present American One Acts, featuring William Grant Still's Highway 1, USA, and Kurt Weill's Down in the Valley. Mezzo-soprano Isola Jones, known for her extensive career at the Metropolitan Opera, will portray Aunt Lou in Highway 1, USA. The double bill performances will run until June 4 at the Baruch Performing Arts Center.
- The New York Philharmonic will present Julia Wolfe's unEarth from June 1 to June 3. Directed by Anne Kauffman, this multimedia event delves into the stories and science of our planet, exploring forced migrations, adaptations, land loss, and changing seas. Soprano Else Torp will be featured, accompanied by projection design by Lucy MacKinnon, lighting design by Ben Stanton, and sound design by Jody Elff. The program will also include a performance of Sibelius' violin concerto with soloist Frank Huang.
- On May 30, violinist Joshua Bell, along with pianist Daniil Trifonov, will perform at Carnegie Hall. The recital was initially scheduled for February 28 but was postponed due to illness. The duo will present sonatas by Beethoven, Prokofiev, and Franck, as well as the Nigun from Bloch's Baal Shem.
- Renée Fleming will give a recital at Carnegie Hall on May 31, accompanied by pianist Evgeny Kissin. The program will feature lieder and other works by Schubert, Liszt, Rachmaninoff, and Duparc.
- Carnegie Hall will host a concert on June 3, celebrating the Carnegie Hall Lullaby Project. This project pairs new and expecting parents with professional artists to create and perform personal lullabies for their babies. The concert will showcase new works composed this season, along with the stories behind them.
- Ballet Hispánico will grace the stage at New York City Center on June 1, presenting a gala performance that includes works by William Forsythe, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Michelle Manzanales, and Pedro Ruiz. The performances, running until June 3, will feature revivals of the company's repertoire as well as new works by Manzanales and Omar Román De Jesús.
- DanceAfrica, a celebration of Ghanaian dance, will continue its performances at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. The event showcases the National Theater of Ghana's National Dance Company, the DanceAfrica Spirit Walkers, and Arke
