Monthly Highlights

Russian violinist, conductor and composer Aleksey Igudesman and British-Korean pianist and composer Hyung-ki Joo started their dynamic duo in 2004, when they created their show “A Little Nightmare Music,” a humorous take on Mozart’s “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik.” Since then, they have been performing at international festivals and touring internationally, often collaborating with artists from within and outside of the classical genre. “Big Nightmare Music” adds an orchestra to their two-man show. On top of favorites from their duo show, like Mozart Bond, Alla Molto Turca, and Cleaning vs. Riverdancing, the show boasts several uproarious sketches, tailor-made for a symphony orchestra, drawing everyone into their act, from the first violinist to the last percussionist. Their 2017 performance at the Grieghallen in Bergen, Norway, is conducted by Andrew Litton.

The first Tuesday evening of the month will strike the right note with one of Stingray Classica’s favourites: the organ! Its main champion is Oliver Latry, current holder of the Great Organ of the Notre Dame in Paris, ambassador of French organ music and a passionate advocate for the art of improvisation. The evening airs a recent concert at the Notre Dame, in which Latry showcases pieces of Bach, Vierne, and Daquin. This is followed by the compelling docu film In the Organ’s Stomach, in which Latry takes the viewers on a captivating journey through the organ’s mechanism and reveals the absolute modernity of the great Cavaillé-Coll made instrument.

Every Saturday evening in May, Stingray Classica presents a brand-new concert, recently recorded at Lisbon’s Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. Titled Pianomania!, this five-part concert series features both keyboard legends as well as today’s stars and upcoming piano talents of tomorrow. Menahem Pressler shows age is no issue when delivering a refined Mozart interpretation, as does Elisabeth Leonskaja in an all-Beethoven concert, performing his last three piano sonatas. Today’s piano sensation Daniil Trifonov displays his virtuosity and craftmanship in Schumann’s Piano Concerto, while the talented Italian pianista Beatrice Rana performs some of the composer’s solo piano beauties. The audience brings their hands together for a powerful and versatile collaboration of compatriots Pedro Burmester and Mário Laginha!

From May 20 to 23, Stingray Classica takes you on a trip through the flamenco-filled dance world of Spanish choreographer Antonio Gades (1936-2004). During four consecutive days, we present some never-before seen dance productions from the Teatro Real. On the program are Gades’ most notable dance adaptations, like García Lorca's Blood Wedding (Bodas de Sangre) and Mérimée's Carmen, which shows how the explosive power and intensity of feeling in traditional Spanish flamenco can bring vividly to life the sultry passion, earthy emotion, love and rivalry of Carmen. Furthermore, Fuenteovejuna highlights the richness of Spanish dance and tells a story of solidarity through which Gades makes flamenco a universal language!

During Stingray Classica’s Teatro Real Week (May 20 to 26), our viewers will enjoy no less than nine operas, of which eight productions have never aired on Stingray Classica! All operas are produced and recorded at the renowned Teatro Real, one of the greatest theatres of Europe, and since its renovation in 1997, the host of monumental productions featuring leading international artists and orchestras. The Teatro Real Week presents a hugely varied selection of the opera repertoire, from early baroque works by Purcell and Handel, to classical masterpieces by Gluck and Mozart, topped off by the great Italian masters of the 19th century by the likes of Verdi and Puccini! Don’t miss out on this mesmerizing programming special on Stingray Classica, which offers magical moments for the lovers of opera seria, buffa, and bel canto styles!