The Drop That Contained the Sea
I Cellist Christopher Costanza has performed often in Santa Fe as a member of the St. Lawrence String Quartet. On Saturday, Aug. 18, at 4 p.m., he appears in a smaller ensemble — with violinist Debra Fong — in a series at San Miguel Chapel (401 Old Santa Fe Trail) that spotlights members of the Santa Fe Opera Orchestra (where Fong plays in the first violin section). Both teach at Stanford University and — guess what? — they are a married couple. That suggests they should be well-practiced in their interpretations of duos by Ravel, Glière, and Martinu. There is a suggested contribution at the door of $20 for adults; no charge for youngsters. — James M. Keller The Dover Quartet appears in the last two concerts of this year’s Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival. At 6 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 19, the group perform Dvorˇák’s String Quintet in E-flat major (Op. 97), assisted by violist Hsin-Yun Huang; the piece was a product of the summer of 1893, which the composer spent in Spillville, Iowa. (Piano trios by Haydn and Beethoven, with other performers, eke out the program.) At 6 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 20, the foursome offers Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 6, and other musicians play trios by Dvorˇák and Brahms. Both concerts take place at the Lensic Performing Arts Center, 211 W. San Francisco St. Tickets ($15-$90) can be bought at santafechambermusic.com, 505-983-2075 or 888-221-9836.
—J.M.K. The New Mexico Gay Men’s Chorus, The Zia Singers, and the Rio Rancho Youth Chorus — all under the baton of Aaron Howe — join forces to perform a crossover composition (classical, pop, world music) by Christopher Tin. “The piece originates from the Sufi concept that, just like every drop of water contains the essence of the sea, so do all humans contain an essence of humanity” — so reads the advance publicity. You can check out the piece at the Lensic Performing Arts Center (211 W. San Francisco St.) at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 23. Tickets ($20-$45) can be had through ticketssantafe.org; 505-988-1234. — J.M.K. Music From Angel Fire begins its two-week session on Friday, Aug. 17. The season includes all six of Mozart’s string quintets, spread over three concerts about two hours northeast of Santa Fe (Sunday, Aug. 19, 2:30 p.m. at Angel Fire Baptist Church, and Aug. 24 and Aug. 30 at United Church of Angel Fire). A promising program is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 22, at the Angel Fire Community Center: the world premiere of a work by Andrea Clearfield (the festival’s featured composer) plus the Opus One piano quartet performing works by Mozart and Dohnányi. For information on programs, venues, and tickets, visit musicfromangelfire.org or call 575-377-3233.
— J.M.K.