Fall Guide to Classical Music

Autumn is a great time for classical music in southern New England. Giving way to season openers, the 2016-17 season offers many opportunities to hear unique and rare performances of obscure works as well as a healthy dose of familiar favorites. Read on to discover what’s happening this fall.

On September 16, Odyssey Opera of Boston performs Antonin Dvorak’s Dimitrij. Sung entirely in Czech, this is Dvorak’s only grand opera. It is a little-known work, and due to its uncommon libretto it does not get programmed often. Taking place at Jordan Hall at the New England Conservatory, this promises to be a very special concert. For more information, visit odysseyopera.org/dimitrij

On September 17, the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra opens its 2016-17 season with Beethoven’s “5^th Piano Concerto” featuring pianist Garrick Ohlsson and Lutoslawski’s seldom performed “Concerto for Orchestra.” Music director Larry Rachleff will retire at the end of this season. Under his magnificent baton, this orchestra has truly grown into a world class ensemble. Be sure to catch a performance before he leaves town! For more information visit riphil.com

On September 23, the Handel + Haydn Society presents Bach’s “Magnificat.” Composed in 1723 during his tenure as Thomaskantor in Leipzig, this is one of Bach’s most popular vocal works. Performing just nine concerts annually, H+H is an important American period orchestra, and one of the oldest classical ensembles in the US. For more information visit handelandhaydn.org

On September 24, the Boston Symphony Orchestra opens its season with Shostakovich’s “Festive Overture,” Prokofiev’s “Piano Concerto No. 3” featuring pianist Lang Lang, and Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition.” Little needs to be said about the BSO’s world-class status and commitment to classical excellence. Hearing these incredible pieces performed by this orchestra in one of the most acoustically perfect concert halls in the US is well worth the price of a ticket. For more information visit bso.org

Also on September 24, the Springfield Symphony Orchestra performs an all Tchaikovsky Gala as its season opener, featuring the “Symphony No. 6” and the “Piano Concerto No. 1” with Italian pianist Fabio Bidini. This concert is preceded by SSO President’s Opening Night Reception. It turns out there’s more to Springfield than the Basketball Hall of Fame. For more information visit springfieldsymphony.org/concerts-events/2016-2017-concerts

On October 7, the Hartford Symphony Orchestra opens its season with two of Rimsky-Korsakov’s most famous works: “Scheherezade” and “Cappriccio Espagnol.” Also on the program is the Rodrigo’s “Concierto De Aranjuez” for guitar and orchestra, featuring guitarist Ana Vidovic. This is an exciting and ambitious program that promises to be worth the trip. For more information visit hartfordsymphony.org/concerts/scheherazade

On October 15, the Providence Singers and the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra team up to present Mozart’s “Requiem.” Written under suspicious circumstances, the “Requiem” was actually not completed in Mozart’s lifetime and underwent several completions and revisions by various colleagues and scholars. The Wikipedia page on this piece is worth reading, and certainly the music is hauntingly beautiful. For more information providencesingers.org/Support06/Subscribe.php

Also on October 15, the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra opens its season with Adam Schoenberg’s “Finding Rothko,” Grieg’s “Piano Concerto” and Dvorak’s “Symphony No. 8.” Born in 1980, Schoenberg has gotten a lot of media attention for his work, which includes pieces for full orchestra and chamber music, as well as several film soundtracks. Grieg and Dvorak alone are worth the trip out along route 195. For more information visit nbsymphony.org/powerful-beauty-oct-15-2016.html

On October 21 & 23, Boston Baroque presents Bach’s “Mass in B Minor.” This piece was one of Bach’s final compositions and is a complete setting of the Latin Mass Ordinary. Under the baton of Martin Perlman and featuring countertenor David Daniels, this promises to be a wonderful performance. For more information visit bostonbaroque.org/concerts/all-shows

Release your inner soprano! The Rhode Island Civic Chrorale will be holding member auditions on Aug 24 & 31 at Providence Presbyterian Church. Visit ricco.org for more information.

Sine Nomine Choir of Fall River, Massachusetts, is also holding member auditions in September. Visit sinenominechoir.org/code/audition_SN.html for more information.