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The Binghamton Philharmonic welcomes guest soloist, pianist Andrew Russo for a performance of George Gershwin’s Concerto in F. Also on the program is music by Aaron Copeland, Valerie Coleman, and Mexican composer Arturo Marquez. We get some background from Music Director Daniel Hege.
Photo credit: Alice O Patterson
Downtown Binghamton will be packed with people enjoying ten hours of music as the city sponsors Blues on the Bridge. Music Coordinator Don Wilkins joins us to talk about the twenty year anniversary, and the logistics of gathering 14 bands for the celebration.
Photo credit: Blues on the Bridge
Spare Productions is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a gala concert. We hear from Mike Ferguson and Abigail Bennett about the history of the group and what to expect at the concert that takes place at 205 Dry on State Street in Binghamton.
Photo credit: Spare Productions
The Cider Mill Stage presents the comedy Murder at the Howard Johnson’s from BLAST Productions. Director Kate Murray and actor John Montgomery join us to talk about the plot twists and surprises that keeps the audience guessing and laughing.
Photo credit: BLAST
Dared to venture away from comedy, David Lindsay-Abaire created the drama Rabbit Hole. We hear from director Tim Gleason and actor Joanna Patchett about Know Theatre’s latest production, and trying not to give away the many surprises in this play.
Photo credit: Know Theatre
Four stories play out in the same room in A.R. Gurney’s The Wayside Motor Inn. Southern Tier Actors Read perform it in the ballroom of the Phelps Mansion Museum in Binghamton. Director Judy McMahon tells us how these contrasting stories coalesce into a complete play.
Photo credit: Southern Tier Actors Read
Historic Hyde Hall in Glimmerglass State Park hosts a concert by folk duo Robin and Linda Williams on August 20 at 6:30pm on the South Lawn. We hear from Robin Williams about Linda and his long career, their travels, and how they used the COVID shutdown as an opportunity to write and record more music.
Photo credit: Hyde Hall
If you are regular listener to Performance Today, you are probably familiar with violinist Danbi Um and guitarist Jiji. They are performing together for the Friends of Music of Stamford, NY. We hear about how they started playing together and how they rehearse while living on opposite coasts.
Photo credit: Friends of Music of Stamford, NY
Ada “Bricktop” Smith may not be a familiar name today, but during the Jazz Age she seemed to know everyone, was always in the right place at the right time, and made things happen. We hear from Gabrielle Lee, who portrays Bricktop in a one-woman show with the Franklin Stage Company. Director Rodney Hudson is also with us to tell about Bricktop’s international career.
Photo credit: Franklin Stage Company
After 2021’s last minute cancellation due to COVID concerns, the Cooperstown Summer Music Festival is back. We hear from Artistic Director Linda Chesis about the star-studded festival, and get news about another concert scheduled for October.
Photo credit: Cooperstown Summer Music Festival
The Munson Williams Proctor Arts Institute presents an exhibit of work by beloved artist Norman Rockwell. We hear from curator Stephen Harrison about these illustrations that remain forever fresh and exciting, and we hear some surprising facts about this well-known figure, whose sense of humor and humanity remain undimmed by time.
Photo credit: Munson Williams Proctor Arts Institute: New Kids in the Neighborhood, 1967, Norman Rockwell (American, 1894–1978), Norman Rockwell Museum Collection. Licensed by Norman Rockwell Family Agency.
The Ithaca Shakespeare Company presents Antony and Cleopatra and Two Gentlemen of Verona in the upper part of Robert Treman State Park. We hear from Artistic Director Stephen Ponton about 20 years of Shakespeare outdoors in Ithaca.
Photo credit: Ithaca Shakespeare Company
More like a song cycle than a musical, Fugitive Songs tells stories of many people trying to change their lives. Singers Jarod Hinton and Mike Ferguson from Spare Productions join us to give a taste of these varied stories of escape, or just the need to escape.
Photo credit: Spare Productions
The Franklin Stage Company presents the Vicki Kristina Barcelona Band. We get to hear from all three of them, each a soloist in her on right, and how they came together to form this unique ensemble.
Photo credit: Albie Mitchell
Now. Here. This. is an intimate musical with universal themes. We hear from Walking on Water Productions director Priscilla Hummel about a group of friends who tour a natural history museum where the exhibits awaken memories in them.
Photo credit: Walking on Water Productions
Just north of Binghamton, tucked between to the Cornell Cooperative Extension and a highway interchange, is Cutler Gardens. Master Gardener Eve Berman joins us to talk about Much Ado in the Garden. Music, food, and Shakespeare come together in this summer celebration, with activities for the whole family.
Photo credit: Cutler Gardens
The Summer Savoyards are back in the Chamber Hall of the Anderson Center with the Gilbert and Sullivan favorite H.M.S. Pinafore. Music Director Sherri Strichman and actor Gregory Keeler, who plays the “well-bred” Captain of the Pinafore talk about this tuneful satire, including some satire that almost went too far.
Photo credit: Summer Savoyards
The Franklin Stage Company opens its season on July 1. We hear from co-artistic directors Patricia Buckley and Leslie Noble about the opening show, an innovative production of Two Gentlemen of Verona, and get an overview of the rest of the season.
Photo credit: Franklin Stage Company
The Homecoming Players have been planning performances of Samuel D. Hunter’s play A Great Wilderness for a long time.
The Old Carter Barn, located between Montrose and Tunkhannock fills the summer with music. We hear from Douglas Carter Beane, who inherited a dilapidated turkey farm, and Lewis Flinn, who turned it first into a wedding venue, and now, as part of the North Branch Art Trail, into a summer music festival featuring a wide range of music
Photo credit: Old Carter Barn
The Youth Orchestra of the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra gives two performances of its season finale, once in Watkins Glen, and again in Ithaca. We hear from the Music Director, Kirsten Marshall, then narrator Leslyn McBean-Clairborne joins us by phone.
Photo credit: CCO Youth Orchestra
As a young artist, Cynthia Clarey spent a lot of time in the Tri-Cities Opera Center. She returns to it with a performance of her cabaret show “Bridge Over Muddied Waters”. She joins us from Chicago to talk about how her life has led her to create this blend of artistry and social commentary.
Photo credit: Tri-Cities Opera
The Cider Mill Stage presents Once Upon a Mattress, a “fractured fairy tale” version of The Princess and the Pea. Director Rob Egan joins us to talk about this upside-down version of the tale, where the princess saves, not only the prince, but the entire kingdom.
Photo credit: BLAST
The Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes presents a Young People’s Concert and Hot Glass Show. Music Director Toshiyuki Shimada joins us to talk about the concert, featuring oboist Nikhil Lahiri, pianists Benjamin Pawlak and Alexei Aceto, along with harpist Rosanna Moore in the role of narrator.
Photo credit: OSFL
The Downtown Singers’ spring concert, Remember and Rejoice, features Gabriel Faure’s Requiem and Cantique de Jean Racine led by Marisa Crabb, along with a selection of contemporary works led by Peter Sicilian. The two conductors join us to talk about this combination of works, and how they fulfill the title of the concert.
Photo credit: Downtown Singers
The WFM Festival Orchestra offers a concert of light classics, film music, and a “pick the conductor” contest. Music Director Daniel Fabricius and orchestra member David Ripic join us to talk about the concert, and about a detective story about tracking down parts of a long-lost piece that Timothy Perry stitched back together for the first performance in nearly a century. For more information, search for the WFM Festival Orchestra on facebook.com
Photo credit: WFM Festival Orchestra
Ti-Ahwaga Community Players present the musical adaptation of the film Sister Act. Actors Andrea Gregori, who plays the Reverend Mother, and Alondra Hughes, who plays Deloris Van Cartier join us to talk about the production and how the musical version explores the characters.
Photo credit: Ti-Ahwaga Community Players & Stephanie Willette
The Little Delaware Youth Ensemble and Prep Orchestra perform their Spring Concert at the Foothills Performing Arts Center. Music Director Uli Speth joins us to talk about the program, and about the history of the ensemble and some of the former members who are still pursuing music.
Photo credit: Little Delaware Youth Ensemble
The Cayuga Chamber Orchestra honors the memory of Percy Browning by premiering a new work commissioned in her honor. We hear from the composer of that work, Seth Grosshandler, about his composition process. We also meet the soloist, clarinetist Michael Wayne, about the work he performs, the Clarinet Concerto by Carl Nielsen, and why such a major work for clarinet is played so rarely. If you would like to hear some of Mr. Grosshandler’s music, here is a link to the Violin Sonata he mentions, played by Christina Bouey.
Photo credit: Cayuga Chamber Orchestra
Tri-Cities Opera presents the annual “Opera and Beer” program at The Garage Taco Bar in downtown Binghamton. General Director John Rozzoni and mezz0-soprano Amanda Staub join us to talk about the program and about getting onstage again after a long hiatus.
Photo Credit: Tri-Cities Opera
Glassfest returns to the Gaffer District of Corning. Executive Director Coleen Fabrizi joins us to give us a hint of the many events taking place during the three days of the festival.
Photo credit: Glassfest and Alexandra Elise Photography
The Trombone Quartet of the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes is presenting a concert at North Presbyterian Church. Trombonist Norm Wilcox joins us to talk about the program, and about the history of music specifically for Trombone Ensemble, dating back to the Eastman School of Music.
Photo credit: Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes
After a hiatus due to COVID, the Geneva Music Festival returns. Artistic Director Geoffrey Herd joins us to talk about the eight concerts coming up in the next few weeks, and what it’s like to, not only be the Artistic Director, but also to perform during the festival.
Photo credit: Geneva Music Festival
The Friends of Music of Stamford, NY welcome the Euclid String Quartet this weekend. We heard from violinist Jameson Cooper about the two works on the program, Claude Debussy’s one and only string quartet, and a string quintet by Franz Schubert. The extra member for the quintet is cellist Adrian Daurov. Mr. Cooper also tells us how the quartet got its name.
Photo credit: Stamford Friends of Music
The Binghamton Community Orchestra presents “Noble and Mischievous Spirits”, a concert of music by Mykola Lysenko, Edward Elgar, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Giuseppe Verdi, Richard Harvey, and Franz Schubert. We hear from Music Director Evan Meccarello and Concerto Competition winner Alex VanTassel.
Photo credit: Binghamton Community Orchestracompe
The Ithaca Community Orchestra presents “Homage”, a concert of music by Schubert, Ravel, and both Fanny and Felix Mendelssohn in the Hangar Theatre. Music Director Aaron Burgess joins us to talk about the program and the history of the Community Orchestra
Photo credit: Ithaca Community Orchestra
Composer and choreographer Lavinia Reid joins us to talk about her ballet version of the story of Snow White, a fan favorite that returns to Ithaca Ballet. She tells about creating a scenario that gives opportunities to the adult, as well as to the young dancers, and about creating movement while composing the music.
Photo credit: Ithaca Ballet
BLAST presents actor Andrea Gregori in role she has played before, Maria Callas in Terrence McNally’s Master Class, this time at the Cider Mill Stage in Endicott.
Artist Aubrey Clark joins us to talk about the closing of her installation and Karen Kuff-Demicco talks about a two-day exhibit at Cooperative Gallery 213 featuring works of many artists.
Photo credit: Cooperative Gallery 213
The Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra closes its season with Antonin Dvořák’s Symphony No.9, “from the New World”, along with a work by American composer Stacy Garrop’s “Bohemian Cafe” which returns Dvořák’s favor. Artistic Director Daniel Hege joins us to talk about the relationship of the two pieces, and the performance of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No.2 with soloist Andrew Russo
Photo credit: Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra
Organist Mark Laubach is celebrating the bicentennial of French composer Cesar Franck by performing the complete works for organ. Sponsored by the Binghamton AGO, the Wilkes-Barre musician performs a selection of those in Binghamton at United Presbyterian Church on Friday, April 22. He joins us to talk about Franck’s legacy, and deep influence on the generations of organist who followed him.
Photo credit: Mark Laubach
The Schorr Family Firehouse Stage welcomes jazz musician Camille Thurman and her ensemble. Schorr Jazz Series organizer Mike Carbone joins us to talk about Camille Thurman’s path to a busy career in jazz as a performer and teacher, and her upcoming show at the Schorr Firehouse.
Photo credit: https://www.camillethurmanmusic.com/
The Southern Tier Singers’ Collective presents the premiere of a Mass by composer Zanaida Robles. STSC Artistic Director William Culverhouse talks about commissioning this work for the STSC performance on Sunday, April 24 in St. Patrick’s Church, and the weekend residency of Dr. Robles at Binghamton University featuring performances by the University choral ensembles. You can hear some of Dr. Robles’ music here.
Photo credit: Southern Tier Singers’ Collective
Opera Ithaca has had a production of Mozart’s comedy The Marriage of Figaro planned for many years. Director Ben Robinson and Board of Directors Chair Deborah Montgomery join us to talk about the roadblocks, and the final production at the Community School of Music and Arts.
Photo credit: Opera Ithaca
Know Theatre of Binghamton presents Steve Martin’s Meteor Shower. We hear from director Joshua Sedelmeyer and actor Julia Adams about what starts out as a “comedy of manners”, but which quickly devolves into a comedy of bad manners amid a once-in-a-lifetime viewing of celestial fireworks.
Photo credit: Know Theatre
Tri-Cities Opera is presenting Gioachino Rossini’s setting of the tale of Cinderella in a joint production with Syracuse Opera. It’s a different version of the tale, with a stepfather instead of a stepmother, a wise tutor instead of a fairy godmother, and matching bracelets instead of a glass slipper — but lots of laughs. We hear from executive director John Rozzoni, Camille Sherman who plays Cinderella, and Aaron Crouch who plays the Prince.
Photo credit: Tri-Cities Opera
The Schorr Family Firehouse Stage presents Bam! It’s Magic in two performances, Friday, April 8, and Saturday, April 9 at 7pm both nights. We get to hear from Endicott native Alex Boyce talk about studying acting and magic at the same time, and about his co-headliner David Williamson.
Photo credit: Alex Boyce and Schorr Family Firehouse Stage
Leo Sowerby was a major composer of sacred music. The Madrigal Choir of Binghamton joins with the choir of Trinity Memorial Episcopal Church for a performance of his cantata “Forsaken of Man’. We hear from the accompanist, Bill Trafka, who has wanted to perform it for a long time, and learn about Sowerby and this rarely-performed masterpiece.
Photo credit: Madrigal Choir of Binghamton
The Cayuga Vocal Ensemble presents “The Spirit Sings” in two performances, one in Ithaca and another in Seneca Falls. Artistic Director Sean Linfors joins us to talk about the themes of the concert, the long break the ensemble had during the shut-down, and the excitement accompanying the premiere of a new work.
Photo credit: Cayuga Vocal Ensemble
Harpsichordists Paul Cienniwa and Michael Bahmann perform Johann Sebastian Bach’s Art of the Fugue in the Ballroom of the Phelps Mansion Museum on Sunday, April 3. Paul Cienniwa joins us to talk about the mysteries of this unfinished work.
Photo credit: Phelps Mansion Museum
Cellist Eric Johnson explains how this special instrumentation originated, and contrasts the ways in which the two composers wrote for the piano trio.
Originally Tom Dudzick’s comedy was Over the Tavern, about a Polish family in Buffalo, but family dynamics remained the same as it was moved to Ireland and became Over the Pub. Director Kate Murray and actor Bridget Callahan Kane talk about this family comedy opening at the Cider Mill Stage.
Photo credit: Kate Murray Studios
Forget Pygmalion, Caesar and Cleopatra, Heartbreak House, or The Devil’s Disciple. George Bernard Shaw’s Too True to Be Good is an absurdist romp through history with a microbe who makes a patient sick, and she returns the favor by making the microbe sick. Director Chris Nickerson and actor Bill Gorman join us a guides through this quirky comedy.
Photo credit: Southern Tier Actors Read
The Little Delaware Youth Ensemble and Preparatory Orchestra return to performing live with a concert on Sunday, March 13 in the United Ministry Church of Delhi. Music Director joins us to talk about the concert by the older orchestra, with pieces performed by the Preparatory Orchestra led by Deborah Devine. To hear some performances, click here.
Photo credit: Little Delaware Youth Ensemble
Opera Ithaca is presenting the premiere of a new opera, We Wear the Sea Like a Coat. We hear from the composer, Sally Lamb McCune, and Artistic Director, Ben Robinson. They tell us about the gestation of the opera which began with a chance meeting in the Orkney Islands and grew into a poetic, but dramatic story.
Photo credit: Opera Ithaca
The Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes is presenting “Musica Diversa”. We hear from Music Director Toshiyuki Shimada about this wide-ranging concert featuring music by Florence Price, Arturo Marquez, Bright Sheng, Sergei Rachmaninoff, and William Grant Still. The pianist in the Rachmaninoff is Christopher Tillen.
Photo credit: Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes
Curator Mary Murray of the Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute joins us to talk about the exhibition of works by Allan Rohan Crite, a Boston-based African-American artist. She tells us about the great variety of media and styles he worked in during his life.
Photo credit: Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute
The Binghamton University Music Department is presenting Mozart’s comic opera The Magic Flute in two performances with two casts. Stage Director David Toulson joins us to talk about this story of a prince and princess on a path to enlightenment, with a lot of laughs along the way. The opera will also be live-streamed on Friday night and Sunday afternoon.
Photo credit: Binghamton University Music Department
The Binghamton Community Orchestra welcomes cellist Anne Jacobs-Perkins for the New York premiere of Peteris Vasks’ Cello Concerto No.2. She and conductor Evan Meccarello join us to talk about the piece, and the other works on the program, that highlight different parts of the orchestra.
Photo credit: Binghamton Community Orchestra
Clarinetist Timothy Perry joins us to talk about a special program of music, mostly from south of the equator, that he and pianist Pej Reitz have been exploring over the past few years. The concert, Musica Australis, is Friday, February 18 at 7:30 in the Casadesus Recital Hall on the Binghamton University campus.
Photo credit: Photo by Iain Cridland on Unsplash and Binghamton University Music Department
DSP Shows is presenting the Howard Jones Trio with guest artist singer/songwriter Rachael Sage in the Hangar Theatre in Ithaca. Rachael Sage joins us to talk about her many albums, as well as her many collaboration with other musicians. She also talks about her Poetica project and the different aspects of writing poetry versus writing songs.
Photo credit: Rachael Sage
Know Theatre of Binghamton presents Annie Baker’s Body Awareness. A famous photographer challenges a quiet family in Vermont, and is challenged himself in this comedy of academia. Director Tim Gleason and actor Chris Nickerson join us to talk about the battle lines that are drawn, re-drawn, and the secrets that are revealed.
Photo credit: Know Theatre
The old National Cash Register building on South Hill in Ithaca, across from Ithaca College is now a multi-purpose facility that includes space for artists, and the Gallery at South Hill. We hear from curator Michael Sampson and the artist whose work is now on display, Marc Reed.
Photo credit: Gallery at South Hill
A dilemma confronts a teenage girl in SRO Productions’ performances of the musical based on the acclaimed children’s book Tuck Everlasting. Director Scott Fisher and singer Lonna Pierce, herself a librarian and long-time fan of the book, talk about the themes of the book, and how well it works as a musical.
Photo credit: SRO Productions
Novelist Carson McKenna presents her first play. It is about an agoraphobic young woman dealing with her isolation. She and director Missy Harris talk about the play and the cast, which includes a doctor playing a doctor, and a lawyer playing a lawyer. For more information: carsonmckenna88@gmail.com
Photo credit: Yellow Robin Photography
After the success of last year’s Cocoa and Carols streaming event, Tri-Cities Opera is again offering an online concert. General Director John Rozzoni joins us to talk about Gather Together, a Musical Potluck featuring past, present, and future singers from TCO.
Photo credit: Tri-Cities Opera
The Binghamton Downtown Singers had to give up their annual performance of Handel’s Messiah, but are back with Part I of the popular oratorio. Music Director Marisa Crabb and one of the co-presidents, Julie Drozdowski, join us to talk about this “Welcome back” concert.
Photo credit: Binghamton Downtown Singers
Opera Ithaca presents a filmed production of the seasonal favorite Hansel and Gretel. Director and librettist Ben Robinson and Opera Ithaca Board President Deborah Montgomery join us to talk about the ingenious concept, the cast, and the logistics of filming the production in three states.
Photo credit: Opera Ithaca
The Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes presents a concert of traditional music for Christmas and Hanukkah, as well as new music by composer Polina Nazaykinskaya. We hear from the composer, and from Music Director Toshiyuki Shimada. The concert also features aerial violinist Janice Martin.
Photo credit: OSFL
Conductor Paul McShee joins us to talk about “Changing Worlds”, a concert of music by Adolphus Hailstork, Jessica Curry, and Antonin Dvorak. Choirs of Binghamton University also joins the Symphony Orchestra for the music by Jessica Curry.
Photo credit: Binghamton University Music Department
Organist Jean Henssler celebrates the season with an organ recital of holiday favorites in new arrangements. She also talks about the imposing organ at United Presbyterian Church.
Photo credit: Jean Henssler
The Madrigal Choir of Binghamton returns to its annual tradition of Lessons and Carols for Christmas. Artistic Director Bruce Borton joins us to talk about the wide variety of music presented in this free concert at Trinity Memorial Episcopal Church in Binghamton. Photo credit: Madrigal Choir of Binghamton
“Isabelle de Borchgrave: Fashioning Art from Paper” is an exhibit on display through January 9, 2022 in the Munson Williams Proctor Arts Institute Museum. Deputy Director and Chief Curator Stephen Harrison joins us to describe these historically accurate fashions, fabricated from paper.
Photo credit: Munson Williams Proctor Arts Institute
Two years ago Binghamton University acquired a famous manuscript of music from the Convent of La Crocetta in Florence, Italy. Associate Professor of Musicology Paul Schleuse tells the story of its journey from its origin in 1543 to Binghamton University. Then the Southern Tier Singers’ Collective, prepared by William Culverhouse, performs a selection of excerpts from the manuscript.
A long-postponed concert is finally presented by the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra. Music Director Cornelia Laemmli Orth joins us to talk about the program, and the guest soloist, superstar guitarist Jordan Dodson.
Photo credit: Cayuga Chamber Orchestra
The Akropolis Reed Quintet performs for the Friends of Music of Stamford. Saxophonist Matt Landry joins us to talk about this new kind of ensemble and how it differs from the traditional wind quintet, and how composers are writing new music specifically for this combination, and arranging existing music.
Photo credit: Stamford Friends of Music
A little naughty, but mostly comic, Hung With Care, a long-time holiday tradition in the Hudson Valley, is coming to Ithaca.
Know Theatre presents its 18th annual Playwrights and Artists Festival. Artistic Director Tim Gleason joins us to talk about how the festival has changed over the years, and how its reputation has expanded to include submissions from around the world.
Photo credit: Know Theatre
The Southern Tier Singers’ Collective presents excerpts from a 16th century manuscript created for the Convent of La Crocetta in Florence. Paul Schleuse describes its creation and its mysterious journey from Italy to South America, and the exciting story of how it was acquired by Binghamton University, then conductor William Culverhouse continues the story with how it got from the page to the singers.
Photo credit: Binghamton University and the Southern Tier Singers’ Collective
In its second concert of the season, the Binghamton Philharmonic presents “Ascend”, a program including music by Richard Wagner, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and emerging composer Jessie Montgomery (pictured above). Music Director Daniel Hege joins us to talk about discovering the music of Jessie Montgomery, the astonishing artistry of Mozart’s Symphony No.41, and Wagner’s Christmas present to his wife, and the conductor who taught himself to play the trumpet in the middle of a lake so that he could participate in the premiere.
Photo credit: Binghamton Philharmonic and Alice G. Patterson
The many-facets of the music of Claude Bolling are on display at the Cider Mill Stage. We hear from flutist and ensemble leader Jeff Wahl about Bolling and his long career and the huge legacy of music he composed and performed.
Photo credit: Jeff Wahl and Cider Mill Stage
The correspondence between singer Patsy Cline and a fan who grew to be a treasured friend is the basis for Always, Patsy Cline presented by SRO Productions. Director George Kurbaba talks about the true story of this friendship and how it translates to the stage.
Photo credit: SRO Productions
Punk rock emerged in the mid-1970s in London, New York City, but was also going strong in Binghamton. The Binghamton University Art Museum hosts a Punk Rock Reunion and Exhibit. We hear from organizers Claire L. Kovacs and John J. Lee.
Photo credit: Binghamton University Art Museum
After a long time of being unable to perform due to COVID restrictions, the Binghamton Community Orchestra is back. Music Director Evan Meccarello joins us to talk about the upcoming concert that spotlights the various sections parts of the orchestra, and also a wide range of music.
Photo credit: Binghamton Community Orchestra
Organist/Choirmaster Timothy Smith joins us to talk about the upcoming concert at Trinity Memorial Episcopal Church in Binghamton. The concert features music by Dietrich Buxtehude, Jehan Alain, Francis Poulenc, and Daniel Pinkham.
Photo credit: Trinity Memorial Episcopal Church
How has the changing landscape of America changed over the centuries and how has art reflect those changes? We hear from Binghamton University Art Museum Director Diane Butler and Curator Tom McDonough about a new exhibit: Topograhies: Changing Conceptions of the American Landscape.
Photo credit: Binghamton University Art Museum
BLAST at the Cider Mill Stage presents Ira Levin’s classic comic thriller Deathtrap. Will there be theft? Will there be murder? Artist Director Rob Egan joins us to talk about the play without giving away too many of the surprises.
Photo credit: BLAST Productions
You’ve heard her on Snap Judgment or possibly seen her on shows like Dead to Me, American Horror Story, The Middle, or Curb Your Enthusiasm. Jen Kober brings her hilarious award-winning stories to the Firehouse Stage on Saturday, October 23. She talks about growing up in Louisiana entertaining her mother, her friends and eventually, audiences.
Photo credit: Firehouse Stage
Master of many musical styles and many stringed instruments, David Rogers performs at the Trumansburg Conservatory of Music. He joins us to talk about the varied styles he plays.
Photo credit: David Rogers
Music Director Cornelia Laemmli Orth gives us a preview of the upcoming Cayuga Chamber Orchestra season after a long time off due to COVID-19. Old favorites, new suprises, and a world premiere highlight the season.
Photo credit: Cayuga Chamber Orchestra
Cayuga Chamber Orchestra concertmaster Christina Bouey is the soloist in this weekend’s concert at Ford Hall on the Ithaca College campus. She speaks with us about her deep love for Samuel Barber’s Violin Concerto, and the story behind the composition of the concerto. The overture to the comic opera The Bartered Bride by Bedřich Smetana and Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No.5 are also on the program.
Photo credit: Cayuga Chamber Orchestra
After a year of not singing, the Madrigal Choir of Binghamton presents a concert intended for last year’s proposed Beethoven festival. Music Director Bruce Borton speaks to us about some of Beethoven’s smaller and lesser know works they will be performing.
Photo credit: Madrigal Choir of Binghamton
We hear from Larry Kassan, who will be giving a talk sponsored by the Broome County Historical Society, A Pioneering Mind of Television; The Life and Times of Rod Serling on Wednesday, October 20 on Zoom and streamed on Facebook.
Photo credit: Lawrence Kassan
Know Theatre of Binghamton presents Johnna Adams’ two character play Gidion’s Knot. We hear from actor Shirley Goodman, who plays a teacher dealing with a grieving mother, played by Qiana Watson.
Photo credit: Know Theatre
The Friends of Music of Stamford, NY welcome cellist Shirley Hunt and fortepianist Sylvia Berry.
Cooperative Gallery 213 in Binghamton welcomes a trio of artists in a sort of “college reunion” in an exhibit called “Time and Textures”. Joanne Thorne Arnold and Carrie Decker join us to talk about their long association, their art, and about their friend Cheryl McBride, who could not be with us.
Photo credit: Cooperative Gallery 213
The Binghamton Theatre Organ Society welcomes theatre organist Jason Comet to supply music for the 1920 German silent horror film The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. Jason tells us how he assembles a score to accompany a silent film, and how this ground-breaking film became a classic.
Photo credit: Binghamton Theatre Organ Society
The Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra returns to the Broome County Forum after a long hiatus with “Emerge”, a program featuring Haydn’s last symphony, Mendelssohn’s famous violin concerto with young violinist Julian Rhee, and a recent work, “Pizzicato” by composer Vivian Fung. Music Director Daniel Hege joins us, along with the composer of “Pizzicato”. We hear how Maestro Hege discovered “Pizzicato” and immediately knew that he had to program it, and we hear about the work of this busy young composer.
Photo credit: Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra
The Endicott Performing Arts Center and Theatre Street Productions are teaming up once again for performances of the beloved musical Man of La Mancha. Director Patrick Foti and actor Andrea Gregori join us to talk about the production and the play’s journey from being a non-musical television drama to becoming the Broadway musical that has been translated into more languages than any other.
Photo credit: EPAC and Theatre Street Productions
Terrence McNally’s backstage comedy “It’s Only a Play” is performed at Cider Mill Stage. We hear from Kate Murray and Rob Egan of the production company BLAST about their new theatrical venture and this irreverent comedy about opening night jitters that opens the BLAST season.
Photo credit: BLAST Presents
“The Falling and the Rising” is a new opera formed from interviews with many soldiers. It is being performed at the Broome County Forum. Tri-Cities Opera General Director John Rozzoni and tenor SFC Ben Hilgert talk about the genesis of the opera and the many veterans services that will be available at the performance.
Photo credit: Tri-Cities Opera
Based on true events, Know Theatre presents Anne Nelson’s play The Guys. Artistic Director and actor Tim Gleason joins us to talk about the true events caused by the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center that led to this play.
Photo credit: Know Theatre
The First Presbyterian Church of Gilbertsville, NY again hosts the annual Labor Day weekend concerts by the Millenium Strings, musicians from the Magic Mountain Music Farm. We hear from the founder, Burton Kaplan, violinist Marvin Suson, and hard-working pianist Cullan Bryant.
Photo credit: Magic Mountain Music Farm
The WFM Festival Orchestra presents a Labor Day weekend concert. Conductor Daniel Fabricius and orchestra member David Ripic join us to talk about the program, how this orchestra differs from most large ensembles, and some music of historical importance played for the first time in this century. And we finally find out what “WFM” stands for.
Photo credit: WFMFO
The Munson-Williams-Proctor Art Institute Museum is presenting two complementary art exhibits. One is a traveling exhibit of work by African-American artist Emma Amos and the other is work from the permanent collection reflecting on Amos’ work. Curator Mary Murray talks about these interrelated exhibits.
Photo credit: Munson-Williams-Proctor Art Institute
The Friends of Music of Stamford, NY present the ensemble Invoke in an outdoor concert on Sunday, August 14 in Rexmere Park. We hear from one of the members of the multi-instrumental band, Zach Matteson
Photo credit: Invoke
The Town of Binghamton Historical Society is presenting a workshop led by violinist/fiddler Ed Pettengill on “How to Play Old Tyme Fiddle”. Ed joins us to demonstrate the difference between the two styles, and to talk about how classical violin playing and fiddle can help each other. All violinists are welcome. Students should be able to play at least NYSSMA grade 3 music. For reservations, call (607) 669-4151.
Photo credit: Ed Pettengill
The Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra is presenting a series of Chamber Music concerts. Executive Director Paul Ciennewa and cellist Michael Newman join us to talk about the two programs.
Photo credit: Binghamton Philharmonic
The Cooperstown Summer Music Festival presents the Imani Winds. We hear from Artistic Director Linda Chesis about this concert, with a preview of the remainder of the Festival….Due to rising COVID cases in Otsego County, this concert has been postponed indefinitely.
Photo credit: Cooperstown Music Festival
Franklin Stage Company presents Lucas Hnath’s “A Doll’s House, Part 2”. We hear from Leslie Noble, who plays Nora, about the play and what happened after the famous closing of the door. She also talks about the joys of performing in front of a live audience after a long break.
Photo credit: Russ Rowland via Franklin Stage Company
The Cooperative Gallery 213 of Binghamton is presenting an exhibit of works by the late Jerome Weinberger. Weinberger used “found objects” to create sculpture ranging from the whimsical to the profound. We hear from curator Keith Oberg. More of Weinberger’s works can be viewed at discoveriesinsculpture.com
Photo credit: Cooperative Gallery 213
The Friends of Music of Stamford, NY welcome the Ulysses Quartet for a concert of music by Germaine Tailleferre, Felix Mendelssohn, and Leos Janacek. We hear from violinist Christina Bouey and cellist Grace Ho about the program, and about their historic instruments
Photo credit: Ulysses Quartet
The Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra is presenting a short concert in two performances at the Forum.
The one-hour concert will be presented in two performances to accommodate audiences in a socially-distanced manner. We hear from Music Director Cornelia Laemmli Orth.
The Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes welcomes the English-Tobin Duo for a concert of music from between 1530 and 1800 on period instruments. We hear from them and learn what may be a new word for you: “Bicinium”.
Photo credit: OSFL
Kitchen Theatre presents the premiere of the comedy Shape by Kara-Lynn Vaeni, who is also the director. We also hear from Annie Henk who does the heavy lifting — literally — of the lead role.
Know Theatre is making its production of Leonard Melfi’s play Birdbath available for online viewing. Director Tim Gleason joins us to talk about the play, about Melfi’s life and work, and about the pleasures and challenges of producing a play for online viewing.
A woman’s impatience with a fellow diner at a restaurant leads her down a rabbit hole into his life. Sarah Ruhl’s comedy Dead Man’s Cell Phone comes to Wellsboro from long-time theatre company Hamilton-Gibson Productions. We hear from the director, the actor portraying the main character, and the actor playing the titular “dead man.”
Photo credit: Hamilton-Gibson Productions
The Geneva Music Festival is returning with a series of live and online concerts with a large range of musical genres. We hear from the artistic director, and also one of the performers, Geoffrey Herd.
Photo credit: Geneva Music Festival
Deborah Fox of NYS Baroque joins us to talk about an online concert and lecture about Jewish musicians and composers of early modern Europe. Exile and Connection features musicologists Liza Malamut and Rebecca Cypess, along with the ensemble Incantare.
Photo credit: NYS Baroque and Libby Hedrick
Know Theatre of Binghamton presents Rajiv Joseph’s “Gruesome Playground Injuries” for on-demand virtual performances from April 22-30.
In these challenging times the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra is adjusting to make music while making conditions as safe as possible for the musicians and the audience. We hear from conductor Cornelia Laemmli-Orth about some exciting and innovative upcoming concerts.
During this pandemic actors and musicians have struggled with new technology to share their performances. Playwright Rachel Lampert has teamed with producer Priscilla Hummel of Walking on Water Productions to produce a trio of mini-musicals called Comfort Food.
We are all using technology in new ways during this pandemic. Know Theatre is presenting Robert Patrick’s “One Person: A Monologue”. Tim Gleason joins us to talk about this ingenious play about two people, the technology involved, and the fascinating life story of the author.
Photo credit: Know Theatre
Directo Beth Harris joins us to explain how they accomplished this,
By Special Invitation presents a stunning line-up of world-class musicians who perform classical music concerts around our region. From a preserved barn in the idyllic setting of the western Catskills and a Binghamton Opera Company to a concert stage at Ithaca College, By Special Invitation invites you to witness music performance recorded specifically for WSKG Classical. These performances can be heard Saturdays at 10:00 a.m, and at your convenience by clicking on the concerts listed below.
Hear Waterloo, NY native Lindsay Kate Brown sing from the stage of the Metropolitan Opera
WSKG Classical will broadcast a concert by the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra
Know Theatre has brought back radio plays in the form of podcasts
Augusto Diemecke and Christine Lowe-Diemecke perform on the OSFL Facebook page.
A native of Waterloo, NY, mezzo-soprano Lindsay Kate Brown was one of nine finalists in the Grand Finals Concert, out of thousands of singers from around the world. She talks to us by phone from Houston, where she is with the Houston Grand Opera, about the process, and about a dizzying week when she sang in the Metropolitan Opera Grand Finals Concert, and won another competition just two days before.
Photo credit: Kristin Hoebermann
The Cayuga Vocal Ensemble presents ‘Passages’
The Civic Ensemble is bringing back ‘Streets Like This’.
The Binghamton University Theatre Department presents the musical ‘Sweet Charity’
The Southern Tier Singers Collective performs music from a 16th Century manuscript.
The Cayuga Chamber Orchestra presents ‘Pivotal Pieces’, a program of major works by Ludwig van Beethoven, Richard Strauss, and Felix Mendelssohn.
The Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes presents a youth-centered concert.
Clarinetist Timothy Perry joins us to talk about ‘Notes from the Margins’
The Ti-Ahwaga Community Players present ‘Spamalot’
The Binghamton Community Orchestra welcomes guest conductor Evan Meccarello
The Ithaca Ballet presents ‘Winter Dance 2020 in the Hangar Theatre.
The Cooperative Gallery 213 celebrates 20 years with a retrospective exhibit.
Carla Del Villaggio is bringing her ‘Simply Streisand’ program to the Broome County Forum
The Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra continues its journey through Ludwig van Beethoven’s symphonies
‘Songs for a New World’ is more than a revue, and certainly not a musical play, but each song is a story in itself.
‘Arts Adventure’ is a collaborative effort by the Roberson Museum and Science Center, the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra, Tri-Cities Opera, and the Goodwill Theatre
Know Theatre in Binghamton presents the dark comedy ‘Killer Joe’
Ithaca’s Kitchen Theatre presents Molly Smith Metzler’s comedy, ‘Cry It Out.’
The historic Phelps Mansion in Binghamton becomes the set for an immersive production of Shakespeare’s sprawling tragedy ‘Hamlet’. Director and actor Chris Nickerson joins us to talk about this condensed version of the play, and how the Phelps Mansion provides a set that could never be replicated on stage.
Photo credit: Nathan Butler
SRO Productions presents ‘Matilda: the Musical’ at the Schorr Family Firehouse Stage
The Cherry Arts presents ‘Apple:Tree’, a ‘rolling cabaret.’
The Little Delaware Youth Ensemble presents their Winter Concert
The Ithaca Community Chorus and Chamber Singers perform ‘Dixit Dominus’ by the young George Frederick Handel and Josef Rheinberger’s ‘Mass in E-flat’.
Spare Productions presents ’35mm: A Musical Exhibition.’ Cast members Lydia Griffin and Mike Ferguson join us to talk about this usual musical where the songs by Ryan Scott Oliver are inspired by photographs by Matthew Murphy, often with surprising results.
Photo credit: Spare Productions
The Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes presents a chamber concert at the Rockwell Museum
The WFM Festival Orchestra is a new ensemble, formed especially to celebrate New Year’s Day.
Pianist John Covelli presents his annual New Year’s Eve concert at St. Patrick’s Church in Binghamton.
Robert Huot’s art is receiving a retrospective exhibit at the Munson Williams Proctor Arts Institute
For thirty-seven years the Downtown Singers have been presenting George Frederic Handel’s ‘Messiah’.
NYS Baroque performs ‘Baroque Noel’ directed by noted lutenist Paul Odette.
The Ithaca Community Orchestra presents its fall concert, ‘Classic Meets Jazz’
The Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes presents its Holiday Concert
The Opera Workshop of the Binghamton University Music Department presents Engelbert Humperdinck’s ‘Hansel and Gretel’
Two different presentations offer The World According to Sound and Cornell According to Sound at the Cherry Artspace. We hear from sound artists Chris Hoff and Sam Harnett. They explain these unique sonic experiences and how the recorded and winnowed natural sounds into aural performances.
Photo credit: World According to Sound
The Metropolitan Opera Radio Broadcast season opens with Philip Glass’ ‘Akhnaten.’
The Madrigal Choir of Binghamton gives two performances of Lessons and Carols for Christmas.
The Roberson Museum and Science Center, annual ‘Home for the Holidays’ is now on display.
Pianist Shai Wosner is soloist in this weekend’s concert by the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra.
VOICES Multicultural Chorus presents their Fall Concert ‘We Can Be Kind: Joy and Inspiration in Song’ https://acithaca.org/groups/voices/on Sunday, December 7 at 4pm in Ithaca’s First Baptist Church. Artistic Director Lorrene Adams joins us to talk about finding uplifting music to inspire the audience, and the inspiration she finds in leading the ensemble.
Photo credit: Affiliated Choruses of Ithaca
Binghamton’s Know Theatre presents its 16th Annual Playwrights and Artists Festival.
The Binghamton Community Orchestra welcomes cello soloist Joshua Jang for its Fall Concert.
The Binghamton University Music Department welcomes The Fifth House Ensemble
The Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass performs in the Smith Opera House
The Catskill Symphony Orchestra welcomes Maciej Zoltowski, the third Music Director candidate.
The Stamford Friends of Music welcome baritone Mario Diaz-Moresco
The Beethoven Project continues with a concert at the Phelps Mansion Museum.
The Binghamton University Theatre Department presents the Ahrens and Flaherty musical ‘A Man of No Importance’.
The Corning Civic Music Association welcomes the Vera Quartet.
The next Binghamton Philharmonic concert features music with a jazz inflection.
Glimmerglass Film Days return to Cooperstown with a host of films that have been nominated for awards.
Tri-Cities Opera presents ‘We Shall Find Peace: A Tribute to the Armed Forces’ to commemorate Veteran’s Day.
The Oneonta Concert Association welcomes two Oneonta resident to their music series. We hear from flutist Ana Laura Gonzalez about the concert which blends classical repertoire with music from Latin American and from the Philippines, the birthplace of her collaborative pianist Fideliz Campbell.
Photo credit: Oneonta Concert Association
SRO Productions presents William Finn and James Lapine’s musical ‘Falsettos’.
The Southern Tier Singers Collective presents a concert for All Souls’ Day.
As part of the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra’s Beethoven Project, Theatre Street Productions presents ‘Beethoven at the Phelps Mansion.’
The Madrigal Choir of Binghamton honors the centennial of women’s suffrage with a concert of music by women composers.
The Binghamton Chapter of the American Guild of Organists welcomes organist Bryan Dunnewald.
Tri-Cities Opera presents Giacomo Puccini’s ‘Tosca’
The story of the Russian witch ‘Baba Yaga’ is told in dance in Elmira and Binghamton.
The Binghamton University Theatre Department presents Sarah DeLappe’s award-winning play ‘The Wolves’.
