Culture Picks: August 4

August is always a bit strange. In a way, it feels as though the summer is almost over already. But hasn’t it really just gotten started? How does that happen?! At any rate, there is still time to get out and enjoy those farmers’ markets and outdoor concerts – and then listen to our virtual picks while you reserve your tickets to some great fall events – like “An Evening with David Sedaris” right here at The PAC on October 8 – on sale now.

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Carnegie Hall presents
National Youth Ensembles in Concert
Each summer, Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute brings together young classical and jazz musicians from across the country to form the acclaimed National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America (NYO-USA), NYO2, and NYO Jazz. Following a highly selective audition process, they participate in a two-week training residency at Purchase College with faculty made up of principal players from top professional orchestras and leading jazz masters. After a two-year absence from touring and in-person performances, all three of Carnegie Hall’s national youth ensembles are ready to break free from Zoom boxes and have now embarked on tours to some of the great music capitals around the world. But luckily for us, we can still experience recordings of their performances online.

NYO2 in Miami, Florida
Available on-demand August 4, 2022–November 4, 2022
Capping its weeklong residency at the New World Center in Miami Beach, NYO2 is joined by conductor Mei-Ann Chen and pianist Aaron Diehl for a performance of Gershwin’s exuberant Piano Concerto in F and works by Jessie Montgomery and Rachmaninoff.

NYO-USA in Berlin, Germany
Available on-demand August 5, 2022–November 5, 2022
This summer, the extraordinary young musicians of the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America embark on a European tour under the direction of acclaimed conductor Daniel Harding. The future of American orchestral music is displayed in a program of favorites, including Mahler’s magnificent Fifth Symphony and Elgar’s elegiac Cello Concerto, featuring Alisa Weilerstein.

NYO Jazz in Detroit, Michigan
Available on-demand August 6, 2022–November 6, 2022
Hear the future of jazz as these gifted young musicians ages 16–19 perform a program that showcases the diversity and scope of the genre, including a newly commissioned piece by Darcy James Argue and a special appearance by vocalist Jazzmeia Horn, performing music from her Grammy-nominated album Dear Love.

Watch NYO-USA, NYO2, and NYO Jazz on CarnegieHall.org

Whitney Museum of American Art presents
Activism for Global Pandemic Equity
Friday, August 5, at 4pm
Online and at the Museum
Convened by 2022 Whitney Biennial artists Ivy Kwan Arce and Julie Tolentino, this program brings together an international group of HIV/AIDS activists who are also long-term survivors living with HIV to consider the constellations of people whose work has laid the foundation for transformative advances in prevention and treatment, as well as vaccine access and equity, for HIV and a range of diseases including COVID-19. Speakers include Ivy Kwan Arce, Mark Harrington, Kenly Sikwese, and Ezio Távora dos Santos Filho, with a contribution from Vuyiseka Dubula. This program is part of ECHO POSITION, a collaboration between Kwan Arce and Tolentino, which centers the role of women—particularly women of color—in HIV/AIDS activism. This program is free but registration is required.
Register to attend “Activism for Global Pandemic Equity” in person
Watch “Activism for Global Pandemic Equity” online

Aspen Music Festival presents
Aspen Chamber Symphony
Livestream on Friday, August 5, 7:30pm
British pianist Paul Lewis will be showcased in Beethoven’s Fourth Piano Concerto, a piece that was ahead of its time in depth, lyricism, and intimacy. Conductor Kerem Hasan leads a program that also includes violinist Fiona Shea performing Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1.
Access the Aspen Music Festival Livestream

The Metropolitan Opera in association with PBS and The WNET Group presents
Great Performances at the Met: Don Carlos
Premieres Sunday, August 7, on PBS (check local listings)
For the first time in its history, the Met presents the original five-act French version of Verdi’s epic opera of doomed love among royalty, set against the backdrop of the Spanish Inquisition. With new staging by David McVicar, Met Opera Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin leads a starry cast including tenor Matthew Polenzani in the title role, soprano Sonya Yoncheva as Élisabeth de Valois, and mezzo-soprano Elīna Garanča as Eboli. Bass-baritones Eric Owens and John Relyea are Philippe II and the Grand Inquisitor. Baritone Etienne Dupuis rounds out the all-star principal cast as Rodrigue. Hosted by Ailyn Pérez.
Watch the preview on YouTube
Learn more about Great Performances on PBS.org

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Culture Picks is a weekly feature celebrating the performing arts. The arts are back and there is so much to take in, both live and virtual. Cultural connoisseur and PAC staff member Coni Guhl is here to help you sort through it all. Each week we will post her curated selection of events featuring the artists you know and love from The PAC Center Series, work being done by Purchase alums, plus a sampling of arts experiences you just can’t miss. Enjoy!

All times are EDT unless otherwise noted.