BSR Classical Interludes, more in May 2025

OperaDelaware: Fearless
Friday, May 16, 7:30pm
Sunday, May 18, 2pm
Grand Opera House/Copeland Hall, 818 North Market Street, Wilmington

This world premiere, with music and libretto by Derrick Wang, dramatizes the groundbreaking career of aviator Hazel Ying Lee, a Chinese American pilot and a member of the WASPs (Women Airforce Service Pilots) who were integral to America’s war efforts. Conducted by Ban Makino and staged by Malena Dayen, the production features AVA resident artist mezzo-soprano Ariana Maubach in the leading role. Wang has collaborated twice before with OperaDelaware: his production of Scalia/Ginsburg in 2019 and his completion of Puccini’s Turandot in 2024.

Choral Arts Philadelphia: Echoes of Heaven: 500th Celebration of Palestrina
Saturday, May 17, 3:30pm
St. Patrick’s Catholic Church/Rittenhouse, 242 South 20th Street, Philadelphia

Conducted by Donald Meineke, this excellent ensemble closes its season with some of the splendid music produced for worship in the Roman Catholic Church of the Renaissance. Including works by Josquin des Prez (Misercordias Domini), Tomás Luis de Victoria (Ave Maria in Annuntiatione), and others, the concert is centered around the Missa Papae Marcelli of Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina and also includes his beautiful setting of the psalm Sicut cervus.

Tempesta di Mare: Faustina and Santina
Saturday, May 17, 7:30pm
Trinity Center for Urban Life, 2212 Spruce Street, Philadelphia

Sunday, May 18, 4pm
Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill, 8855 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia

This concert centers on two great 18th century divas whose origin stories are dramatically different. Faustina Bordoni came from Venice to London for her 1726 debut in Handel’s opera Alessandro, becoming one of his favorite singers. Santina Tasca—born into poverty and deposited in a Venice church scafatta (drop box)—came to London in 1735 and created a thriving international career. Presenting arias written for the two women, Tempesta’s baroque orchestra will be joined by mezzo-sopranos Meg Bragle and Gabriela Estephanie Solis. Tempesta co-director Gwyn Roberts will narrate the concert.

Network for New Music: Songs without Words without Borders
Sunday, May 18, 3pm
American Philosophical Society/Franklin Hall, 104 South 5th Street, Philadelphia

For the culminating concert of their 40th season, this presenter features international music that shows how wordless melodies can speak volumes. The concert features the Song Project, with music by Nathan Lincoln-DeCusatis and Jan Krzywicki and the world premiere of House of Pianos by Courtney Bryan. There’s also music by Kinan Abou-afach, Sepehr Pirasteh, Yoshiaki Onishi, George Tsontakis, and Jennifer Margaret Barker. As well as this in-person performance, live-streamed tickets for the concert are also available.

Night Music: Ich bin ein Berliner
Wednesday, May 21, 6:30pm
Powel House, 244 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia

This early music ensemble, co-directed by Steven Zohn and Heather Miller Lardin, closes their season in Powel House’s historic ballroom with works exploring the rich musical life at the Prussian court of Frederick the Great (himself an accomplished flute player and composer). Works include selections from J.S. Bach’s Musical Offering and others by Berlin composers of the court’s musical circle set for flute (Zohn), violin (Karen Dekker), and gamba (Miller Lardin). Guest harpsichordist is John Walthausen, and there is a pre-concert talk at 6:30pm by musicologist Dr. Ellen Exner of the Juilliard School.

Featured image: Hazel Ying Lee was a Chinese American pilot and member of the WASPS, and OperaDelaware celebrates her legacy. (Photo retrieved via Wikimedia Commons.)

Image description: Sepia toned portrait photo of Lee in an aviator suit, stands in front of the wing of a small plane.