Fall 2005 music previews

classical music

October

Doctor Atomic (San Francisco Opera, San Francisco):
Composer John Adams and librettist Peter Sellars team
on an operatic exploration of the life and fateful
creation of A-bomb inventor J. Robert Oppenheimer. (Oct.
1)

Orpheus and Eurydice (Lincoln Center, New York): A
new theatrical song cycle written by out composer
Ricky Ian Gordon in collaboration with out
choreographer Doug Varone. (Oct. 5–8)

Aaron Copland and His World (Bard College,
Annandale-on-Hudson, N.Y.): The music and life of
America’s great gay composer are celebrated at
the Bard Music Festival, including performances by the
American Symphony Orchestra. (Oct. 21–23)

The Mines of Sulfur (Lincoln Center, New York): The
New York City Opera performs out composer Richard
Rodney Bennett’s masterful opera combining a
sexy ghost story and a frightening drag show. This haunting
work was also just released on Chandos. (Oct. 23–Nov.
5)

November

Percussion Concerto (Kimmel Center, Philadelphia):
Top American composer and out lesbian Jennifer Higdon
delivers her latest creation, performed by soloist
Colin Currie and the Philadelphia Orchestra. (Nov.
25–Dec. 6)

—Joseph
Dalton