As the fall semester comes to a close, Roberts Hall and the Nazarian Center are just warming up for an even exciting spring semester season.
After welcoming performers from all over, including China and Spain, Roberts Hall will once again be opening its doors to national and international performers alike with their very successful Performing Arts Series. Kicking off the Performing Arts Series in February is “The Muir String Quartet,” performing their second concert in the Beethoven Cycle. The performance will include astonishing performances of string quartet including “E-Flat Major, Op. 74,” and “C-sharp minor, Op. 131.”
In March, pianist Fredrick Chiu takes the Sapinsley stage. Chiu’s piano-playing springs from his backgrounds in multiple continents, including Asia and Europe. His musical training and an exploration of artificial intelligence and the body-mind-heart connection have a special effect on his musicianship. Later that month, a Russian dance and music ensemble called ‘Barynya’ will be performing a spectacle of singing, dancing and live music.
American pianist Simone Dinnerstein has been called “a throwback to such high priestesses of music as Wanda Landowska and Myra Hess” by Slate magazine, and praised by TIME for her “arresting freshness and subtlety.” and will be bringing this talent to RIC in April.
Ending the Performing Arts Series is the exciting “Vox Lumiere: Metropolis.” A tale of the future forged in the early 20th century, “Metropolis” is a story filled with diabolical robots, flying cars and other sci-fi wonders.
The Performing Arts Series won’t be the only thing keeping the Nazarian Center busy this semester. Mainstage will be putting on Hugh Whitemore’s “Breaking the Code,” directed by Michael Ducharme in February. A biography of British mathematician Alan Turing the nature of the play reveals connections between his cracking of the Nazi’s “unbreakable” Enigma code and his refusal to live a life closeting his homosexuality. Turing imagined a modern world of technology, but a homosexuality conviction ravaged and desecrated his life. Turing died alone and raped of his identity, but “Breaking the Code” puts honor and humanity back into his life.
Who could forget the spring musical? This year, William Wilson will be directing the “Drowsy Chaperone.” Original and creative, the “Drowsy Chaperone” tells the story of all human beings desire to be entertained with our lives.
The fall semester definitely has been outstanding as far as performing arts are concerned. Sold-out shows and amazing displays have been abound, and the Nazarian Center is dedicated in continuing the brilliance into next semester. For more information of these and other performances this Semester check out the Performing Arts section on the RIC Website, or visit the Roberts Hall Box Office.
– With additional reporting by Anchor Editor Kyle Grant.
