Embassy Series: Your Musical Passport around the World
by Chrysoula Economopoulos
Continuing on the “around the world” theme from my latest post, music enthusiasts and those who are just plain curious to peek inside some of the almost 200 embassies and foreign representations in Washington, take note: the Embassy Series may be just the thing for you.
The Embassy Series opens the doors of embassies and ambassadors’ residences to the public by hosting concerts featuring American and international artists therein. Ultimately, these events aim to promote international understanding and global cultural diplomacy by featuring a country’s music or musical contributions.
According to the Embassy Series’ web site (www.embassyseries.org), “Such a backdrop allows the audience to ‘get a feel’ for the nation being represented, which is key to promoting and celebrating the diversity of both a host embassy and Series patrons.” In addition to the musical aspect, events provide guests with the opportunity to mix and mingle with the featured artist, other guests and embassy staff at a reception hosted after each event.
Since making its debut in 1994, here are some impressive statistics about the Embassy Series:
- Worked with over 100 ambassadors
- Hosted over 300 concerts at 46 different embassies
- Featured more than 500 artists
Preview of Performances
While the Embassy Series’ next performance at the new Chinese Embassy is sold out, celebrate Schubert’s Birthday at the Embassy of Austria on January 29, 2010 with acclaimed pianist Matthias Soucek. Soucek is the first Austrian and youngest winner of the International Brahms Competition in Hamburg, and has released seven CDs to date.
Next, welcome the beginning of spring a tad early on March 12, 2010 at the Ukrainian Embassy with pianist Inna Faliks. Faliks debuted with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at the young age of 15. She has since given recitals in Carnegie Hall, Paris’s Salle Cortot, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Moscow’s Tchaikovsky Hall, and more.
Jumping ahead a few performances and down to South America, enjoy An Evening of Tango at the Embassy of Argentina on June 12, 2010. This event and recent events at the residence of Syrian Ambassador Imad Moustapha, and at the Embassy of Bahrain demonstrate the many cultures and musical genres the Embassy Series spans in its very special version of cultural diplomacy.
Browsing through the list of other upcoming performances, you have a veritable musical passport around the world at your fingertips. All you have to do is book your ticket!
Free Events from the Washington National Opera
By Elisabeth Grant
Is the Washington National Opera sensitive to the current economic crisis? Or are they looking for new (more frugal) viewers? Whatever their motive, the Washington National Opera keeps rolling out free performances, making wallets happy all over D.C.
Earlier this year they threw the second annual Opera in the Outfield, a free simulcast of their opening night performance, this year The Barber of Seville, at Nationals Park. And now from November 13th through the 22nd they will celebrate “National Opera Week” (who knew that existed?) with a series of free performances and events.
1. Open Orchestra Read: The Marriage of Figaro
Saturday, November 14, 2009, 6 pm
Kennedy Center Millennium Stage
Hear selections from The Marriage of Figaro performed by the Washington National Opera Orchestra and coupled with narration by Maestro Ken Weiss “explaining the art of rehearsal and answering questions about the process of preparing a score.”
2. Community In Bloom, A Ward 7 Community Project
Sunday, November 15, 2009, 3:30 pm
Kelly Miller Middle School
301 49th Street NE, Washington, DC, 20019
The Washington National Opera teams up with the Humanities Council of Washington DC and the Ward 7 Arts Collaborative to present performances and art focused on the lives of Ward 7 community members.
3. So You Want to Be a Singer? An Opera Career Talk
Monday, November 16, 2009, 6 pm
American University Katzen Arts Center, Abramson Family Recital Hall
4400 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC
Hear about how to start a career in opera from Christina Scheppelmann (WNO Director of Artistic Operations), Elizabeth Bishop (mezzo-soprano), and Brandy Hawkins (mezzo-soprano). Free, but to reserve seats, call (202) 448-3465.
4. Domingo-Cafritz Young Artists Recital
Friday, November 20, 2009, 12 pm
The Russell Senate Office Building, Rotunda
Constitution Avenue and 1st Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002
Enjoy arias performed by members of the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program.
5. Hola Opera! An Introduction to Opera
Friday, November 20, 2009, 11 am
Lamond-Riggs Neighborhood Library
5401 South Dakota Avenue NE, Washington, DC, 20011
Children 5 to 10 and their families are invited to a bilingual event, where Peter Burroughs and Anamer Castrello will perform arias and zarzuelas.
Ah free, music to one’s ears.