L'essence de Carmen. Photo by Paul Williams._____________
Lyric Opera of Chicago winds up its 2006-2007 season March 17, so you'd better hurry if you care to see Lyric's production of Francis Poulenc's powerful Dialogues des Carmelites or Mozart/DaPonte's effervescent Cosi fan tutte ( conducted by Sir Andrew Davis ) . Which reminds me: last time I was at the opera the seat next to me was empty, so everybody used it to pile up their parkas and jackets, making it a 'coat seat fan tutte.' But I digress: call 312-332-2244, ext. 5600; $31-$179.
Bizet's fiery Carmen will be given an intimate chamber-opera scale in performances on March 2 ( 7:30 p.m. ) and March 4 ( 5 p.m. ) by the American Opera Group. Adapted under the title L'essence de Carmen, the production is fully staged with chamber orchestra, costumes, scenery and lighting. J. David Stech is musical director and conductor for the American Opera Group and Nancy Henninger directs. Heading the cast are Joanna Wernette as sultry cock-tease Carmen, Emanuel-Christian Caraman as lovelorn soldier-sucker Don Jose, Arlene Alvarado as angelic Micaela ( no wonder she can't hold Jose ) and Khary Laurent as dashing toreador Escamillo. Paul Williams is artistic director. Performances are at the Arts Center in Oak Park ( 200 N. Oak Park ) ; 708-434-0485; $35.
The Chicago Sinfonietta welcomes a truly sparkling line-up of guest soloists for its March 18 ( Dominican University, Lund Auditorium, River Forest, matinee ) and March 19 ( Symphony Center, evening ) concerts. The gifted baritone Jubilant Sykes ( don't you love that name? ) will perform three songs from Aaron Copland's suite of Old American Songs, followed by virtuoso guitarist Christopher Parkening performing the Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra by Oscar-winning film composer Elmer Bernstein. For a finale, the Sinfonietta will welcome organist Stephen Alltop in Saint-Saens's so-called Organ Symphony ( Symphony No. 3 in C minor ) . 312-236-3681, ext. 2; $25-$90 ( $38 top ticket price at Dominican University ) .
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra ( CSO ) welcomes two of the world's greatest pianists in March: Alfred Brendel and Emanuel Ax. Brendel will perform a solo recital program on March 4 and concerts with the orchestra on March 8 and 10; Ax performs a solo recital on March 18. The CSO also continues to showcase numerous guest conductors in its process of selecting a successor to musical director Daniel Barenboim. Also, Sakari Oramo will be on the podium on March 8 and 10, followed by Mitsuko Ochida ( conductor and pianist ) on March 14-17 and Myung-Whun Chung on March 21 ( conducting the Orchestra Philharmonique de Radio France ) . 312-294-3000; $16-$125 ( different price scales for each event ) .
The Orion Ensemble continues its chamber music season with March 4-11 concerts featuring guest violinist Baird Dodge in a program of works by Prokofiev, Dvorak, Brahms and contemporary composer James Matheson. Performance locations are: Fox Valley Unity Church, Batavia ( March 4 ) ; Ganz Hall, Roosevelt University, Chicago ( March 7 ) ; and the Music Institute of Chicago, Evanston ( March 11, matinee ) . 630-628-9591; $23 ( a good deal ) .
The Chicago Jazz Ensemble continues its series at the Black Orchid nightclub ( Pipers Alley in Old Town ) with a March 15 Women in Jazz program, featuring guest vocalist Bobbi Wilsyn and SHE; saxophonists Ada Rovatti; and pianist Helen Sung. Founded by the late William Russo in 1965, the Chicago Jazz Ensemble now is under the leadership of Jon Faddis. 312-344-6269; $35.
The Chicago Chamber Choir completes its 11th season with three performances of Let Us Move: The Voice of Early America, welcoming guest violinist James Sanders and guitarist George Sawyn. The concerts will explore the rich musical tradition of early America through shape-note hymns, camp-meeting tunes, folk songs and spirituals. Such tunes as Tenting Tonight, Poor Wayfarin' Stranger and Skip to my Lou will be in the mix, along with the Midwest premiere of Mark O'Connor's Let Us Move ( for solo fiddle and chorus ) . Locations include Unity Lutheran Church, Chicago ( March 25, 3 p.m. ) ; St. Paul's Untied Church of Christ, Chicago ( March 30, 7:30 p.m. ) ; and Maddox Theatre at Rockford College, Rockford ( April 15, 3 p.m. ) . 312-409-6890; $18/advance, $20/door.
Finally, as it does month after month, the McAninch Arts Center ( the MAC ) in Glen Ellyn ( College of DuPage Campus ) offers one of the most varied performing arts line-ups; in fact, there's too much to mention everything. But since this column is devoted to non-pop music, that's where we'll focus. On March 10, the MAC presents Simon Shaheen, a master on the oud, a Middle-Eastern lute. With one foot in Western classical music and the other firmly in the Arabic musical legacy, Shaheen provides a cultural bridge between the Western and Islamic worlds. The next night, March 11, the MAC offers the fabulous Blind Boys of Alabama, the Grammy-winning all-male gospel and soul choir that always rocks the house. Then, on March 23 and 24, the MAC presents the New Philharmonic Orchestra in works by Mozart and Beethoven, plus a world premiere oboe concertino by Doug Lofstrom. Soloists are Jennet Ingle ( on the oboe ) and James Tocco ( on the piano ) . 630-942-4000; $15-$45 ( different price scales for each event ) .
