Classical music, in Atlanta as across the country, lives primarily off the kindness of friends.
Unlike commercial entertainment, tickets to classical events usually cover less than half the expense. For grand opera or a world-class symphony orchestra, it is donations — which are in turn linked to the health of the economy — that are usually a barometer of a city’s classical music activity.
That doesn’t bode well for Atlanta’s fall season — with a few prominent exceptions. Here’s a short list of don’t-miss performances from the marquee organizations; many of the region’s smaller groups have yet to announce their concert calendar.
The Atlanta Symphony. Opening night includes soprano Christine Brewer in scenes from Wagner’s “Ring” cycle and, with the ASO Chorus, Gustav Mahler’s rarely performed edition of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. (Sept. 22 -25)
Three composers with huge followings will have their music performed in the coming months. The first, we know: Osvaldo Golijov has been an ASO regular since the arrival of music director Robert Spano a decade ago. One of Golijov’s latest scores, “Sidereus,” will be performed Sept. 30-Oct. 2.
Esa-Pekka Salonen, an ear-pleasing modernist from Finland, writes music that somehow sounds the way Frank Gehry’s architecture looks: brilliant shiny surfaces, organic shapes, a balance of populism and wavy-cool refinement. Salonen’s “Nyx,” which premiered in Paris, gets its first U.S. hearing. (Oct. 27 and 29.)
The third composer, also a conductor and also a welcome ASO guest, is Oliver Knussen. He always brings one of his own shimmering, precisely etched works (Nov. 10 and 12).
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. 404-733-5000, www.atlanta symphony.org
Spivey Hall. Attached to Clayton State University in Morrow, its prestigious series opens with English pianist Paul Lewis. Acclaimed for recent recordings of Beethoven, Lewis brings an evening of Schubert, including the “Wanderer” Fantasy. (Oct. 9) The German duo of Christian Tetzlaff and Lars Vogt play from the violin-piano sonata classics, with Brahms, Bartok and Franck. (Oct. 23)
Spivey Hall, 2000 Clayton State Blvd., Morrow. 678-466-4200, www.spiveyhall.org
University series. Kennesaw State University’s Premiere Series and Emory University’s Candler Concert Series have scaled down in recent years.
At KSU, the fall holds two events: young violinist Stefan Jackiw in recital (Sept. 24) and the Ying Quartet (Nov. 12).
KSU’s Bailey Center, 1000 Chastain Road, Kennesaw, 770-423-6650, www.kennesaw.edu/arts
At Emory, the fall opens with esteemed violinist Hilary Hahn in recital. (Oct. 27) The Schola Cantorum de Venezuela makes the first of two Atlanta visits this season with Latin American choral music. (Nov. 11)
Emory’s Schwartz Center, 1700 N. Decatur Road, 404-727-5050, arts.emory.edu
Atlanta Opera. The company has been hit by several years of recession, cutting back its mainstage offerings by 25 percent. Still, the company has beefed up its community offerings, with its first-ever commission: a children’s opera based on the Br’er Rabbit stories.
“Rabbit Tales” retells the Joel Chandler Harris stories, with a libretto by Madeleine St. Romain and music by Nicole Chamberlain. The world premiere is scheduled for the outdoor amphitheater of The Wren’s Nest. (Oct. 29.)
The Wren’s Nest, 1050 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd. S.W. No tickets required.
Atlanta Opera will present Donizetti’s “Lucia di Lammermoor” at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center this fall: Soprano Georgia Jarmin sings the unhappy bride of the title. (Nov. 12-20)
Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center, 404-881-8801, www.atlantaopera.org
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