February 9, 2006

Upcoming arts events

Musical comedy ‘Candide’ runs Feb. 10 - 19

Northwestern will present “Candide, A Musical Comedy,” featuring composer Leonard Bernstein’s operetta-flavored score, show-stopping arias and timely political issues.

Performances will be held on the Evanston campus at 8 p.m. Feb. 10; 8 p.m. Feb. 11; 2 p.m. Feb. 12; 8 p.m. Feb. 15; 8 p.m. Feb. 16; 8 p.m. Feb. 17; 8 p.m. Feb. 18; and 2 p.m. Feb. 19, at the Ethel M. Barber Theatre.

Based on Voltaire’s “Candide,” a wicked 18th century satire on the then-prevailing philosophy of optimism, the dark musical comedy follows the story of the young and innocent hero, Candide, and his friends as they survive a string of misfortunes and disastrous adventures, while continuing their optimistic search for the “best of all possible worlds.”

In addition to Bernstein’s music, “Candide, A Musical Comedy” will feature a dilapidated carnival stage setting to “convey the seedy underbelly of deception and desperation” with a giant spinning wheel of fortune, abstracted carnival costumes, and a lot of fierce political bite.

To order tickets by phone, call (847) 491-7282.

School of Music performs opera ‘Eugene Onegin’ Feb. 23-26

A heart-wrenching work from one of opera’s masters will be performed this winter, as Northwestern continues its 2005-06 opera season with Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s 1879 romantic tale “Eugene Onegin.”

Performances of “Eugene Onegin” will be held at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23; 7:30 p.m. Feb. 24; 7:30 p.m. Feb. 25; and 2 p.m. Feb. 26, at Cahn Auditorium.

Part of the standard operatic repertoire, “Eugene Onegin” is based on a novel-in-verse of the same name, written by Aleksandr Pushkin in 1833. In this three-act opera, tragedy ensues when the heartless title character coldly rejects the advances of the passionate, young Tatiana. With music by Tchaikovsky and libretto by Konstantin Shilovsky and Tchaikovsky, it was first performed in 1879 at the Malyi Theatre in Moscow.

Northwestern’s rendition of Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece will be directed by Noel Koran and conducted by Victor Yampolsky.

To order tickets or for more information, call the Pick-Staiger Ticket Office at (847) 491-5441 or visit www.pickstaiger.com.

Dittmar Gallery exhibits Terry Dixon’s ‘Jazz on Campus’ through March

Contemporary mixed media artist Terry Dixon infuses digital photography, abstract expressionism and a passion for jazz music into bold and vividly colored paintings.

A collection of the Chicago-based artist’s works will be on view to the public during the Dittmar Memorial Gallery’s Winter 2006 exhibition Terry Dixon, “Jazz on Canvas” (Feb. 15 to March 19).

During an opening reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 23, that is free and open to the public, art lovers can view the exhibition, meet the artist and be entertained by a campus jazz trio. Light refreshments will be provided.

Dixon creates his new art perspectives by employing various visual art techniques through photography, computer art and traditional painting. Some compositions address social and political issues, while others focus on the rhythm of line, color and brushstroke. He creates his works while listening to his favorite jazz artists. Musicians Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Chick Corea and Max Roach have been the most influential on his work.

The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Admission is free.