Weekly Classical Music Agenda

This week’s classical music events seem to cluster during the weekend, but no matter. There’s plenty to see and hear with the Opera Company of Philadelphia’s La bohème and an assortment of chamber music concerts.

Friday
Puccini’s La bohème, put on by the Opera Company of Philadelphia, is not to be missed. One of opera’s most famous and most tragic love stories (the inspiration for Rent) continues to move us to this day with Puccini’s brilliant melodies and orchestration.
Academy of Music, Broad and Locust; 8 PM, Fri/2:30 PM, Sun (runs through 11/11); $6-$170

Philadelphia natives Elizabeth Pitcairn (violin) and Marcantonio Barone (piano) play a lovely program featuring Schubert, Beethoven, Debussy, and more as part of the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society concert series.
Philadelphia Museum of Art; 8:00 PM; $22

Saturday
Anoushka Shankar visits Philly on the tour of her most recent CD, Rise. Shankar is the only artist in the world trained completely by her father - the legendary sitar virtuoso and composer, Ravi Shankar. On her newest CD, “Anoushka Shankar has emerged from the shadows of her famed father … and journeyed beyond the musical traditions of India to create her own sound. Rise is not only a testament to her skill at the sitar, but to her mastery of composition.”
Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center; 7:30 PM; $34-$44

Sitar not for you? A rare aural treat awaits. Michael Maniaci (with Tempesta di Mare) makes his Philadelphia debut performing Handel opera arias as they were meant to be sung: by a true male soprano. Curious? Check it out.
St. Mark’s Church, 1625 Locust; 8 PM; $10-$35

Sunday
The Society Hill String Quintet, comprised of members of the Philadelphia Orchestra's famed string section, performs Schumann: Permutations, a program of works by Robert Schumann.
Philadelphia Art Museum; 2:30 PM; $20

The Juilliard Quartet, one of America’s leading string quartets, visits Philadelphia with a program of Mozart and Bartok.
Pennsylvania Convention Center Auditorium, Room 114; 3 PM; $22

Image via Flickr.com user The Anti-ZIM