Classical picks: `Poem of Fire,' Saariaho Celebration and `The Magic Flute'
An alluring double bill at San Francisco Symphony, a “Saariaho Celebration,” an award-winning tenor in recital, and a magical “Flute” at the opera: here are four events music lovers won't want to miss.
Dark and deep: Davies Hall is the place to be this week, as the San Francisco Symphony pairs Scriabin's “Prometheus: The Poem of Fire” with Bartók's “Duke Bluebeard's Castle.” In three performances conducted by music director Esa-Pekka Salonen, the double bill program features pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet, vocalists Michelle DeYoung and Gerald Finley, and narrator Breezy Leigh; Jenny Wong directs the SF Symphony Chorus. Colored lighting, and “scent effects” by professional perfumer Mathilde Laurent, contribute to the atmospheric experience. Details: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2p.m. Sunday; Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco; $39-$169; www.sfsymphony.org.
Saariaho Celebration: The Bay Area has heard enough of Kaija Saariaho's music to know that the late Finnish composer was a master — and that we want to hear more. Now the Left Coast Chamber Ensemble presents “Butterflies, Moons, and Mirrors: A Saariaho Celebration,” featuring her works for flute, cello, and piano. The program also includes music by Prokofiev, Kay Rhie, Monica Chew and Tomàs Peire Serrate. Details >> 7:30p.m. Saturday at Berkeley Piano Club; 4 p.m. Sunday at Noe Valley Ministry, San Francisco; $5-$35; leftcoastensemble.org.
Mozart's “Magic”: Livermore Valley Opera opens its new production of “The Magic Flute” this weekend; sung in English, and directed by Yefim Maizel, the cast features artists Victor Cardamone as Tamino and Phoebe Chee as Pamina, with Shawnette Sulker (Queen of the Night), Alex DeSocio (Papageno) and Kirk Eichelberger (Sarastro.)
Details: 7:30 p.m. Saturday and March 9; 2 p.m. Sunday and March 10; Bankhead Theater, Livermore; $20-$105; LVOpera.com.