(PRINCETON, NJ) -- The 2019 Princeton Festival, which runs June 7-30, will include 22 performances of 9 events. Highlights include John Adam's opera, Nixon In China; the Princeton debut of Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist Jazzmeia Horn; She Loves Me - a charming musical by the team that created Fiddler On The Roof; performances by Internationally known pianist Rachel Cheung, Concordia Chamber Players, and the Baroque Orchestra. Tickets are on sale for all events now.
The Festival also offers a slate of free events, including eight lectures relevant to the music being performed, the popular Artists' Round Table featuring performers and directors of the opera and musical, a reading of contemporary Chinese poetry, and a season preview. In addition, there will be two workshops: one on opera and another, limited to high school students, on performing in musicals.
"People who think they don't like opera, and especially modern opera, owe it to themselves to experience Nixon in China," said Richard Tang Yuk, the Festival's Executive and Artistic Director. "It is approachable, American, and very moving. The score integrates classical, jazz, and popular music, and the drama is a poetic and moving story of human frailties and aspirations."
Tang Yuk stresses that the rest of the 15th anniversary season is equally attractive. "Our other offerings include one of the most charming musicals ever written, an extraordinary pianist, and a superstar jazz vocalist. There are also a dozen fascinating and inspiring free lectures and workshops.
"If you love the performing arts, you'll want to visit Princeton this June."
For more information and a link to ticket sales (handled by McCarter Theatre), visit www.princetonfestival.org. To purchase tickets by phone, call McCarter Theatre at 609-258-2787.
Concordia Chamber Player on Friday, June 7 at 7:30pm at Miller Chapel. The brightest talents of the chamber music world come together to perform as members of the Concordia Chamber Players. Their 2019 program, tailored by Artistic Director Michelle Djokic to this year's performers, features two duos by Beethoven and Kodály and a tuneful, powerful trio by Mendelssohn.
She Loves Me from June 8-30 at 185 Nassau Street. Two Budapest shop employees clash at work, unaware that secretly they are pen pal soul mates in this charming rom-com of a musical. Thirteen performances from June 8 – 30, 2019 in an intimate black box theater with limited seating.
Piano Competition Finals on Sunday, June 9 at 3:00pm at Westminster Choir College. Attend the exciting Final Round of The Princeton Festival's 12th annual Piano Competition for young artists ages 6 to 25, drawn from the tri-state area, nationally, and even internationally.
Jazzmeia Horn on Sunday, June 16 at 7:00pm at Taplin Auditorium. Jazzmeia Horn broke onto the jazz scene two years ago to overwhelming critical acclaim, with a Grammy Award nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Album in 2018. She has since toured the world, earning a reputation for spirited performances filled with story-telling, scat-singing, and brilliant improvisation.
Princeton Festival Baroque Chamber Ensemble on Saturday, June 22 at 4:00pm at Trinity Church. Concertmaster Juan Carlos Zamudio returns with this favorite Festival ensemble for an intimate chamber performance on period instruments. Let the warmth of Baroque music envelop you in beautiful Trinity Church!
Rachel Cheung, Piano on Saturday, June 22 at 7:30pm at Taplin Auditorium. 2017 Cliburn Competition finalist and Audience Award winner Rachel Cheung has been cheered by audiences in St. Petersburg, Russia; at the Chopin Festival in Duszniki, Poland; and in such other global centers of music as Kiev, Heidelberg, Geneva, Rouen, Paris, London, Hong Kong, Sydney, Jerusalem, Toronto, Fort Worth, and New York.
Nixon In China on June 23 & June 30 at McCarter Theatre Center. Nixon in China imbues a world-changing political event with the emotional charge more commonly found in personal dramas and mythological stories. Its poetic libretto is set to exciting and expressive music. It is truly an opera for our times.
Princeton Festival Baroque Orchestra on Wednesday, June 26 at 7:30pm at Miller Chapel. Playing to sold-out crowds since 2015, the Princeton Festival Baroque Orchestra features rising young stars of historically-informed performance playing period instruments. Come hear them bring the Baroque legacy to life!
Princeton Festival Chorus and Baroque Orchestra on Saturday, June 29 at 7:00pm at Taplin Auditorium. The Princeton Festival Baroque Chorus and Orchestra concert provides a third opportunity to hear rising young stars of historically-informed performance playing on period instruments, this time with chorus. Come enjoy rhythms and harmonies that are uniquely Baroque!
For complete event listings and tickets, visit www.princetonfestival.org
