The blog for the Celebrity Series of Boston- a Boston based arts organization which presents an annual concert series. Here you can find news about our season, local and international arts, and much more! www.celebrityseries.org
Terry Gross
Terry Gross interviews actor Jack Black on NPR's Fresh Air. Black tells Terry about his latest film, Bernie, his band Tenacious D and his obsession with vocalist Bobby McFerrin. Listen to the interview here.
Terry Gross returns to the Celebrity Series on Friday, May 10, 2013 at Sanders Theatre. Subscription tickets are on sale now.
Walter Pierce
People recall times when they were fortunate to attend events that became cherished memories and of near folk-legend status. Such were the lieder recitals of Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, the German baritone, for cognoscenti who flocked to his concerts filling venues like Symphony Hall to capacity. In the years that Fischer-Dieskau performed in the Celebrity Series, his partner of choice was the distinguished pianist Jorg Demus; together they thrilled audiences with recitals of works by Schubert, Schumann, Wolf, Brahms and others.
Much has been written about his towering genius and contributions to the craft, but I was especially taken by the quotation in the New York Times of a review by the British music critic John Amis: "Providence gives to some singers a beautiful voice, to some musical artistry... but to Fischer-Dieskau Providence has given both. The result is a miracle, and that is about all there is to be said about it... Having used a few superlatives and describing the program, there is nothing else to do but write 'finis,' go home, and thank one's stars for having the good luck to be present."
I, too, feel lucky to have been present.
Walter Pierce
The great German baritone Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau has died at age 86. He performed a total of 6 Celebrity Series recitals between 1962 and 1978. Greatly admired and loved by legions of fans, he enjoyed an unusually long singing career. Richard Cattani, reviewing Fischer-Dieskau's 1968 Symphony Hall recital for The Christian Science Monitor, wrote, "If Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau were to give only one more concert, it would be worth crossing a continent or an ocean to hear him."
The Baltimore Sun (TIm Smith's Clef Notes)
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater begins its 5 performance run at Citi Performing Arts Center tonight at 7:30pm. Media coverage of the company's 42nd Celebrity Series appearance has been copious. Here are a few samples:
Robert Battle looks within to lead Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (Boston Globe)
Alvin Ailey troupe wants to bring everyone to their feet (Boston Herald)
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater: Leaping to an opportunity (Metro Boston)
Tickets are available at www.celebrityseries.org.
Welcome back Ailey!
Ailey Artistic Director Robert Battle
Debra Cash has written a brief overview of Robert Battle and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in advance of their April 26-29 engagement at Citi Wang Theatre.
Read: New Shoes: Robert Battle at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
Celebrity Series of Boston subscriptions for the 2012-13 season will go on sale Friday, April 13.
Subscriptions will be available online at www.celebrityseries.org starting at 9am.
Subscribers may also request a season brochure by emailing: info@celebrityseries.org.
Boston Globe critic Don Aucoin reviewed Circa's CIRCA at the Paramount Theatre (it runs through Sunday, part of your friendly neighborhood Celebrity Series), writing "it’s impossible not to admire the rigorous artistry of “Circa,’’ with its fusion of acrobatics, gymnastics, and performance art." Read the complete review here. (you might need to login)
This is one of those shows that even video has a hard time capturing, but check out a brief video of the show:
