UNIVERSITY MUSICAL SOCIETY ANNOUNCES APRIL 2015 EVENTS

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1 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact Truly Render, UNIVERSITY MUSICAL SOCIETY ANNOUNCES APRIL 2015 EVENTS ANN ARBOR, MI (March 16, 2015) The University Musical Society (UMS) celebrates the final month of the season with eight incredible concerts, a screening of a live Royal Shakespeare Company production, and an open-house celebration to announce the season. The April UMS performance line-up begins on Saturday, April 4 with Brazilian music icon Gilberto Gil, whose intimate solo concert in Hill Auditorium will pay tribute to bossa nova luminary João Gilberto. On Thursday, April 9, UMS audiences will take a journey to Germany with crooner Max Raabe and the Palast Orchester, performing a charming night of music from Berlin s 1920s Golden Age in Hill Auditorium. The following week, legendary jazz pianists Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock perform a highly anticipated concert in Hill Auditorium on Thursday, April 16. The next evening, Friday, April 17, Afropop superstar Oliver Mtukudzi and the Black Spirits bring their gutsy guitar and vocal styling from Zimbabwe to the Michigan Theater. This weekend draws to a close on Sunday, April 19 with the Artemis Quartet, performing Dvořák, Tchaikovsky, and Vasks in Rackham Auditorium. On Wednesday, April 22, UMS and the Michigan Theater co-present an HD screening of the Royal Shakespeare Company s Much Ado About Nothing, or Love s Labour s Won, set in World War I England. The following evening, Thursday, April 23, welcomes the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra and piano prodigy Sunwook Kim to Hill Auditorium for a program of Beethoven and Brahms. The final weekend of UMS performances features two incredible presentations: the Lyon Opera Ballet, performing an imaginative retelling of Cinderella in the Power Center Friday, April 24 Sunday, April 26 and renowned pianist Richard Good, performing a program of Brahms, Beethoven, Debussy, Schumann, and Mozart in Hill Auditorium on Sunday, April 26. In addition to a robust month of performances, UMS announces the season at an open house celebration for the general public on Friday, April 24 in the Rackham Graduate Building 4 th floor. Full details on page 10 of this release. Tickets to all events on sale now How to Order: In person: Michigan League (911 North University Avenue) April 2015 Events Page 1 of 11

2 At the performance venue: beginning 90 minutes before performance start time Hours: Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., closed Sunday April 2015 Performances & Events FAMILIES, TAKE NOTE: UMS Kids Club allows students in grades 3-12 to attend any UMS event with their parents at significantly reduced ticket prices. UMS will set aside a limited quantity of Kids Club tickets for every event in the season. Tickets are $10 per student and $20 per adult. Kids Club tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis for every event in the season. Seating is subject to box office discretion. UMS guarantees at least 30 tickets for each event (select performances for multiple performance runs). Kids Club tickets must be picked up at willcall with the student present. Unless the Kids Club allotment is sold out, Kids Club tickets will be offered at the door; however, we recommend ordering in advance. Kids Club tickets are made possible with the generous support of Toyota. GILBERTO GIL Gilbertos Samba Saturday, April 4, 8 pm Hill Auditorium (825 North University Avenue Ann Arbor, MI 48109) Sponsored by: University of Michigan Health System Gilberto Gil releases a new album in 2014 that celebrates the music of the great João Gilberto in this two Gilbertos event. While in college studying business administration, Gil heard singer and guitarist João Gilberto on the radio and was immediately smitten; he bought a guitar and learned to play and sing bossa nova. An original founder of the Tropicália movement in Brazil in the late 1960s who was exiled to London for his revolutionary role in conflating the seemingly threatening lyrics of US and European rock music with Brazilian musical traditions, Gil is today recognized as a pioneer of world music. From musical revolutionary to international pop star to beloved statesman, Brazil s former Minister of Culture returns to Ann Arbor with his romantic homage to the father of bossa nova. Performance note: This concert will be partially performed in Gilberto Gil s native Brazilian Portuguese. Related Events: Artist Interview: Gilberto Gil Friday, April 3, 5:30 pm U-M Museum of Art, Stern Auditorium (525 S. State St, Ann Arbor) April 2015 Events Page 2 of 11

3 Superstar musician, activist, and former Brazilian Minister of Culture, Gilberto Gil is interviewed by professors Sueann Caulfield (History and Residential College) and Jesse Hoffnung-Garskof (History and American Culture), and LACS Brazil Initiative Manager, Elizabeth (Bebete) Martins. The interview will cover Gil's involvement in the cultural history of Brazil since the 1960's, be punctuated by videoclips of some of his most memorable performances, and be followed by a Q&A. Presented by the Brazil Initiative of the U-M Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies. Getting to know Gilberto Gil: 3 Fast Facts Gilberto Gil was born in 1942 and grew up in the countryside in the Bahia (Northeast) region of Brazil. His mother encouraged his musical leanings and he started his musical life playing drums, the trumpet and the accordion. With over 50 albums released, Gilberto Gil has 12 gold records, 5 platinum albums, 7 Grammys and more than 4 million records sold. When he was appointed Minister of Culture ( ) Gil was only the second black person in the country s history to serve in the Brazilian cabinet (the first was Pele). He is considered a spokesperson for Brazil s emerging Black consciousness movement. More information can be found at Gilberto Gil s website. Previous UMS appearances: This will be Gilberto Gil s 3 rd performance at UMS. He debuted in 2007 and his last appeared in MAX RAABE AND THE PALAST ORCHESTER Thursday, April 9, 7:30 pm Hill Auditorium (825 North University Avenue Ann Arbor, MI 48109) Supported by: Michael and Leslee Perlstein Media Partner: Michigan Radio 91.7 FM Dashing, dapper, and debonair, Max Raabe might have walked straight out of the Golden Age of Berlin in the 1920s. With his elegant poise, suave sophistication, and silky-smooth baritone, he brings to life the songs and style of a bygone age. Born into a family of farmers just as the Beatles were serving their apprenticeship in the bars and clubs of Hamburg, Raabe s childhood musical tastes were formed by his discovery of a weekly program of 1920s music on German radio. His passion was further roused by a record he found in his parents cupboard, a humorous instrumental called I m Crazy About Hilda. Before long, he was collecting 78s in flea markets and junk shops, and by age 16 was an expert on the songs and styles of the Weimar era. Raabe s deadpan humor and charmingly meticulous recreations of the standards as they used to be sung in formal evening wear with an orchestra is guaranteed to take the audience away from their everyday problems and into another world. The time has never been better to discover or rediscover timeless tunes by legends like Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, and Fred Astaire. April 2015 Events Page 3 of 11

4 Getting to know Max Raabe and the Palast Orchester: 3 Fast Facts Max Raabe, born in 1962, founded the Palast Orchester with fellow students in Since his graduation as certified baritone he and his ensemble have been enjoying international success on concert tours through Europe, USA, Asia and Israel. In addition to his work with the Palaast Orchester, he has teamed up with German singer/musician/composer Annette Humpe for two albums of original music (in 2010 and 2012). Good Wife star Julianna Margulies is a huge fan, and Max Raabe played at Marilyn Manson s wedding to burlesque performer Dita Von Teese. More information can be found at Max Raabe and the Palast Orchester s website. Previous UMS appearances: This will be the group s 2 nd UMS performance following their debut in AN EVENING WITH HERBIE HANCOCK AND CHICK COREA Thursday, April 16, 7:30 pm Hill Auditorium (825 North University Avenue Ann Arbor, MI 48109) Hosted by: ArborBike, Stout Systems Endowed support from: JazzNet Endowment Fund Media Partner: WEMU 89.1 FM and Ann Arbor s 107one Chick Corea closed out 2013 with a tribute to his friend and musical compatriot Herbie Hancock at the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors. Hancock is a true icon of modern music, and there are few artists in the music industry who have had more influence on acoustic and electric jazz and R&B. A DownBeat Hall of Famer and NEA Jazz Master, Chick Corea is at the vanguard of improvised music, both as a leading pianist forging new ground with his acoustic jazz bands and as an innovative electric keyboardist. He has attained living legend status after five decades of unparalleled creativity and an artistic output that is simply staggering. Their musical relationship dates back to 1968, when Corea replaced Hancock in the piano chair of the Miles Davis band. In 1978, they toured together as an acoustic piano duo, which surprised the music world at the peak of the jazz-rock fusion era. Both of them released double albums drawn from those live tour performances (part of one album was recorded in Hill Auditorium). The two haven t recorded together since, but they have reunited for acclaimed duo appearances and join forces for an evening that is sure to be one of the most memorable of the season. Getting to Know Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea: 3 Fast Facts April 2015 Events Page 4 of 11

5 Hancock was born in Chicago in 1940 and by age 11 was playing with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Corea formed Stretch Records in 1992, a label committed to breaking musical boundaries. Hancock has been quoted saying, When I listen back to some of the duet tracks we've made, half the time I can't tell who's Chick and who's me. More information can be found at Herbie Hancock s and Chick Corea s websites. Previous UMS appearances: This performance marks Herbie Hancock s third appearance and Chick Corea s fourth appearance on the UMS stage. Mr. Hancock made his debut in 2000 with Wayne Shorter, and Mr. Corea made his debut in 1994 with the Chick Corea Quartet. OLIVER MTUKUDZI AND THE BLACK SPIRITS Friday, April 17, 8 pm Michigan Theater (603 East Liberty Street, Ann Arbor) Media Partners: Ann Arbor s 107one and WEMU 89.1 FM Zimbabwe s Afropop legend Oliver Mtukudzi is gifted with a deep and gutsy voice plus a talent for writing songs that reflect on the daily life and struggles of his people. Tuku began performing in 1977 and has earned a devoted following across Africa and beyond, all the while incorporating elements of different musical traditions into his music, including South Africa mbaqanga, Zimbabwean pop, and traditional kateke drumming. Recently inducted into the Afropop Hall of Fame, he is one of the most successful African recording artists alongside Angélique Kidjo, Hugh Masekela, and Ladysmith Black Mambazo, with 61 recordings made during the course of his 62 years. Getting to Know Oliver Mtukudzi and the Black Spirits: 3 Fast Facts Oliver Tuku Mtukudzi was inducted into Afropop Worldwide s Afropop Hall of Fame during the summer of A member of the Kore Kore tribe, Mr. Mtukudzi sings primarily in Shona. Before Zimbabwean independence in 1980, Mtukudzi used his songs to fight the Rhodesian regime. With independence came black majority rule for the first time. More information can be found at Oliver Mtukudzi s website. Previous UMS appearances: This is the UMS debut of Oliver Mtukudzi and the Black Spirits. April 2015 Events Page 5 of 11

6 ARTEMIS QUARTET Sunday, April 19, 4 pm Rackham Auditorium (915 East Washington Street, Ann Arbor) Program: Dvořák Quartet in F Major, Op. 96 ( American ) Vasks Quartet No. 5 Tchaikovsky Quartet No. 1 in D Major, Op. 11 Supported by: Jerry and Gloria Abrams Media Partner: WGTE 91.3 FM Their performances overflow with fullness of sound, delineated structure, and unparalleled drama. (Frankfurt) The Artemis Quartet made its UMS debut in 2013 with an interesting pairing of Bach and Piazzolla. Now the ensemble returns with a more conventional string quartet program that features works by Dvořák, Latvian composer Peteris Vasks, and Tchaikovsky. The Berlin-based ensemble was founded in 1989 and programs its own series at the Berlin Philharmonic. In 2011, it was named Quartet in Residence at the Vienna Konzerthaus, a position it holds alongside the Belcea Quartet. Getting to Know Artemis Quartet: 3 Fast Facts The Artemis Quartet recently completed a study and performance of a complete Beethoven cycle. They are the subject of a documentary entitled Strings Attached, released in In addition to their concert careers, the four musicians are professors at the Universität der Künste in Berlin and at the Chapelle Musicale Reine Elisabeth in Brussels. More information can be found at the Artemis Quartet s website. Previous UMS appearances: This is the second UMS performance for the Quartet following their debut in ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY LIVE IN HD: SHAKESPEARE S MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING Christopher Luscombe, director Wednesday April 22, 7 pm Michigan Theater (603 East Liberty Street, Ann Arbor) Presented in partnership with the Michigan Theater April 2015 Events Page 6 of 11

7 Autumn A group of soldiers return from the trenches. The world- weary Benedick and his friend Claudio find themselves reacquainted with Beatrice and Hero. As memories of conflict give way to a life of parties and masked balls, Claudio and Hero fall madly, deeply in love, while Benedick and Beatrice reignite their own altogether more combative courtship. Shakespeare s comic romance plays out amidst the brittle high spirits of a post-war house party, as youthful passions run riot, lovers are deceived and happiness is threatened before peace ultimately wins the day. Christopher Luscombe directs the second of Shakespeare s matching pair of comedies that rejoice in our capacity to find love in the most unlikely places. Better known as Much Ado About Nothing, the play is performed under the title Love s Labour s Won, a name possibly given to it during Shakespeare s lifetime. More information can be found at the RSC Live website. CANCELLED: SEOUL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA Myung-Whun Chung, conductor Sunwook Kim, piano Thursday, April 23, 7:30 pm Hill Auditorium (825 North University Avenue Ann Arbor, MI 48109) The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra has cancelled their entire U.S. tour due to recent funding cuts. The tour was to take place between April and included a number of major U.S. venues. As a result, UMS is forced to cancel its Thursday, April 23 presentation of the orchestra in Hill Auditorium. The orchestra's tour management has informed us that the Seoul City Council, in a recent decision, did not give permission to the Orchestra to use Council funds for the U.S tour, a decision that is legally binding for the orchestra. As a result, there will be no concert on April 23. Ticketholders to this concert should contact the UMS Ticket Office to discuss their options (refund, credit, or exchange): LYON OPERA BALLET: CINDERELLA Maguy Marin, choreographer Friday, April 24, 8 pm Saturday, April 25, 8 pm Sunday, April 26, 2 pm Power Center (121 Fletcher Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109) Sponsored by Old National Bank Media Partner: Michigan Radio 91.7 FM April 2015 Events Page 7 of 11

8 Created in 1984, the Lyon Opera Ballet has revolutionized the classical ballet world, presenting new, contemporary works with witty and often surprising choreography. In Cinderella, Maguy Marin s magical retelling of the fairy tale, the story unfolds in a three-story dollhouse, a child s world of toys and wonder. Human dancers are transformed into fat-cheeked dolls, Cinderella scoots off to the ball in a toy car, Prince Charming searches for her on his rocking horse, and Prokofiev s score is spliced with coos and gurgles. The astonishingly original and magical production (New York Times) unfolds with a dreamlike quality, a vision of childhood without sentimentality but with affectionate insight. The work was last seen at UMS in 2002, also performed by Lyon Opera Ballet, and Ann Arbor is the only city in the country that will host this fascinating production this year. Related Events: Opening Night Post-Performance Q&A: Lyon Opera Ballet Friday, April 24 Power Center (121 Fletcher Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109) Where does inspiration come from? What makes an artist tick? After all opening night dance and theater performances and select concerts, join us for a post-performance Q&A and get a glimpse into the lives and minds of the artists who bring creativity to the stage. Hosted by Clare Croft, U-M Assistant Professor of Dance. Must have a ticket to that evening s performance to attend. You Can Dance: Lyon Opera Ballet Saturday, April 25, 1:30 pm Ann Arbor Y (400 W Washington St, Ann Arbor) Join dancers from Lyon Opera Ballet for an exploration of the company's movement style. No dance training or experience necessary, and all levels, ages 13 and up, are welcome. Free, but first come, first served until studio reaches capacity. In collaboration with the Ann Arbor Y. Pre-Show Kids Workshop: Magic Wands Sunday, April 26, sign-up starts at 1 pm Power Center Green Room Artmakers from The Scrap Box lead a magic wand creation station for kids in the Power Center Green Room prior to the matinee performance of Lyon Opera Ballet s Cinderella. This event is free to ticketholders, but capacity is limited to 30 kids (first come, first served). Sign-up starts at 1 pm, workshop unfolds from 1:15-1:45 pm. Getting to Know the Lyon Opera Ballet: 3 Fast Facts In 1995, Lyon Opera Ballet was named Opéra National de Lyon, elevating the company to the same level as the Opéra National de Paris, the only other national opera house in France. Committed to showcasing contemporary choreography, Lyon Opera Ballet has acquired and commissioned ballets by a wide range of international dance makers, including William Forsythe April 2015 Events Page 8 of 11

9 and Louis Falco and has featured works by many American choreographers, including Trisha Brown and Ralph Lemon. The company is composed of over thirty diverse dancers from all over the globe, including Cuba, South Africa, and Portugal. More information can be found at the Lyon Opera Ballet s website. Previous UMS appearances: Lyon Opera Ballet return for their fourth appearance with UMS. The dance company made their debut in 1999 at the Power Center and most recently performed in Ann Arbor in RICHARD GOODE, PIANO Sunday, April 26, 4 pm Hill Auditorium (825 North University Avenue Ann Arbor, MI 48109) Supported by: Natalie Matovinović and Mr. and Mrs. Donald L. Morelock Media Partner: WGTE 91.3 FM [Richard] Goode makes the familiar sound unexpectedly fresh, proclaimed the Financial Times in reviewing his 2009 recording of the complete Beethoven piano concertos. Goode has won a large and devoted following for music-making of tremendous emotional power, depth, and expressiveness, and is acknowledged worldwide as one of today s leading interpreters of Classical and Romantic music. The New York Times suggested that it is virtually impossible to walk away from one of Mr. Goode s recitals without the sense of having gained some new insight into the works he played or about pianism itself. Getting to Know Richard Goode: 3 Fast Facts Goode was the first American-born pianist to record the complete Beethoven piano sonatas. Goode s father was a piano tuner and amateur violinist who sparked his interest in studying piano at a young age. Goode came into solo performing later in his career, making his Carnegie Hall debut at age 47. He has since gone on to be called the best recitalist of our time. More information can be found at Richard Goode s website. Previous UMS appearances: Richard Goode returns for his seventh performance under UMS auspices following his most recent appearance in 2009 at Hill Auditorium. He made his UMS debut in April 2015 Events Page 9 of 11

10 SPECIAL EVENT: UMS SEASON LAUNCH PARTY Friday, April 24, 5-7:30 pm Rackham Graduate Building, 4th floor (915 East Washington Street, Ann Arbor) Join us for happy hour, light snacks, and conversation as we celebrate the launch of the 15/16 UMS Season. Watch the 15/16 UMS Season Announcement Video, meet the 14/15 UMS Artists in Residence and learn how UMS performances have impacted their creative process. This event is free and open to the public. No registration is required. Comprehensive April 2015 Calendar of Events Friday, April 3, 5:30 pm Saturday, April 4, 8 pm Thursday, April 9, 7:30 pm Thursday, April 16, 7:30 pm Friday, April 17, 8 pm Sunday, April 19, 4 pm Wednesday, April 22, 7 pm Thursday, April 23, 5:30 pm Thursday, April 23, 7:30 pm Friday, April 24, 5 pm Artist Interview: Gilberto Gil U-M Museum of Art, Stern Auditorium UMS Performance: Gilberto Gil Hill Auditorium, $ UMS Performance: Max Raabe and the Palast Orchester Hill Auditorium, $ UMS Performance: An Evening with Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock Hill Auditorium, $ UMS Performance: Oliver Mtukudzi and the Black Spirits Michigan Theater, $ UMS Performance: Artemis Quartet Rackham Auditorium, $ Royal Shakespeare Company Live in HD: Shakespeare s Much Ado About Nothing or Love s Labour s Won Michigan Theater, $ Prelude Dinner: Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra Rackham Building, 4 th floor, $ UMS Performance: Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra Hill Auditorium, $ UMS Season Launch Party Rackham Graduate Building, 4th floor April 2015 Events Page 10 of 11

11 Friday, April 24, 8 pm Friday, April 24 Saturday, April 25, 1:30 pm Saturday, April 25, 8 pm Sunday, April 25, 8 pm Sunday, April 26, 2 pm Sunday, April 26, 4 pm UMS Performance: Lyon Opera Ballet: Cinderella Power Center, $ Post-Performance Q&A: Lyon Opera Ballet: Cinderella Power Center You Can Dance: Lyon Opera Ballet Ann Arbor Y (400 W. Washington St.) UMS Performance: Lyon Opera Ballet: Cinderella Power Center, $ Pre-Show Kids Workshop: Magic Wands Power Center Green Room UMS Performance: Lyon Opera Ballet: Cinderella Power Center, $ UMS Performance: Richard Goode Hill Auditorium, $ April 2015 Events Page 11 of 11