#InTheLoop | Musica Reginae Kicks Off 21st Season with Classic Concert on Oct. 23
BY QEDC It's In Queens
Most musical genres are hybrids of different styles. And now most concerts are hybrids of live and zoom productions. Sounds about right for Musica Reginae Productions, a local nonprofit that presents concerts and children’s workshops in several genres.
MRP kicks off the 2021-2022 season with an exciting hybrid program, Memories and Portraits, featuring XQuartet, a classically trained ensemble dedicated to singer-songwriter collaboration, at The Church-in-the-Gardens in Forest Hills on Saturday, Oct. 23, at 4 pm. (Streaming here.)
The group — 2021 Tony-award winner Katie Kresek and Maxim Molston (violins), Rachel Golub (viola), Anja Wood (cello) – and pianist Barbara Podgurski will explore themes of memory, friendship, and love as per such composers as Caroline Shaw, William Grant Still, and Sting. Each piece tells a story of time and place, imbued with memories and experiences.
Admission is free with a suggested $10 donation.
Then, MRP’s 21st annual season continues the hybrid theme and a mix of Classical, Opera, Klezmer, and even Balinese performances. The schedule follows. (Click here for the children’s workshops.)
The Red Violin on Saturday, Nov. 13, at 7:30 pm
Elizabeth Pitcairn performs on her historic “Red Mendelssohn” Stradivarius violin joined by Podgurski (piano) and Gjilberta Lucaj (cello).
A Holiday Cabaret on Thursday, Dec. 16, and Friday, Dec. 17, at 7 pm both nights
Soprano Christina Pecce and MRP Music Director and Pianist Matthew Stephens come together for a holiday event celebrating the joys of the season (presented in partnership with Queens Opera Theatre).
Metropolitan Piano Stories on Saturday, Feb. 26, at 4 pm
Songs by living women composers from the NYC Metropolitan Area, including Anjelica Negron, Meredith Monk, Valerie Capers, and Beata Moon. Each piece has a story behind it.
David Krakauer and his Acoustic Klezmer Quartet on May 1 at 6: 30 pm
Krakauer, one of the most important and influential proponents of new Jewish music and Klezmer’s new wave, presents acoustic versions of his original compositions mixed with classic tunes from the traditional Klezmer repertoire. Audiences will be able to enjoy his distinctive sound up close and personal, completely unplugged.
Queens to Bali: Gamelan Yowana Sari in Flushing on Sunday, June 5, at 5 pm
Queens College-based Gamelan Yowana Sari, led by Frederick Trumpy, presents Balinese music, joined by traditional Balinese dancers. This event is part of the Queens Rising celebration and it’s set for Flushing Town Hall at 137-35 Northern Blvd.
Cow Goes to the Opera on Saturday, June 25, at 4 pm
The world-premiere full production of an opera for children and families about a curious cow that goes to the Marche at the Opera Festival in southern France and falls in love with the lights and sounds of the concert stage. It’s based on an award-winning children’s book by Amber Spradlin.
Located at 50 Ascan Ave., The Church-in-the-Gardens is walking distance from the 71st-Continental subway station for the E, F, R, and M lines and the Long Island Rail Road’s Forest Hills stop. There’s free street parking, but cars without special permits can be towed. The host venue will provide temporary permits.
Images: Queens Tourism Council