Marc Blitzstein Centennial Events
Compiled by Leonard Lehrman, updated July 17, 2010
June 27, 2004 Blitzstein recital by Helene Williams & Leonard Lehrman
at First Unitarian Church, Madison Wisconsin
July 10, 2004 Blitzstein presentation by Boosey & Hawkes
at National Association of Teachers of Singing convention, New Orleans
June-Aug. 15, 2004 Jean Cocteau Repertory Theater revives
The Threepenny Opera in Blitzstein translation
Nov. 9, 2004 7:00 p.m. Marc Blitzstein--Rallying With A Note
in series, "Jewish Composers for the Musical Stage,"
with Robert Sherman, Helene Williams, and Leonard Lehrman,
and special guest Bill Castleman
hosted by Sidney Gluck
for the American Jewish Historical Society
and the Sholom Aleichem Memorial Foundation
at the Center for Jewish History, 15 W. 16th St., Manhattan
Adm. $8/$4 free to AJHS members Info: Tel. 212-255-4774
Nov. 21-22, 2004 Encores! presents Blitzstein excerpts
[along with Harold Arlen, Dorothy Fields, and Jule Styne] at City Center
including "Emily," "Modest Maid," "One Kind Word," and "I Wish It So"
sung by Burke Moses, Michael Arden, Christine Ebersole,
Malcolm Gets and Rebecca Luker
Jan. 7, 2005 6-7pm Marc Blitzstein Cabaret
at National Opera Association convention, Roosevelt Hotel,
45 St & Madison Ave., New York City
Marilyn Govich, Elizabeth Kirkpatrick Vrenios, Mary Kay McGarvey,
Henry Price, Marie Robinson, George Shirley
Evelyn Swensson, JoElyn Wakefield, and Kenneth Wood
accompanied by Leonard Lehrman
Adm. $25 (or $100 for the whole day's sessions); students $20/day
Advance reservations/registrations at
www.noa.org
Jan. 29, 2005 c. 2:15-3:30pm Marc Blitzstein Workshop
--part of the People's Music Network Songs of Freedom & Struggle Gathering--
with Helene Williams, Victoria Tralongo, Leonard Lehrman,
the Workmen's Circle Chorus, the Metropolitan Philharmonic Chorus
and the Solidarity Singers of the New Jersey Industrial Union Council
at the Renaissance School, 35-59 81st St., Jackson Heights, Queens
For further info call David Tarlo at 718-788-8501 or Steve Suffet at 718-786-1533
Feb. 26, 2005 Other Minds festival tribute to Blitzstein, San Francisco
featuring west coast premiere of Percussion Music for the Piano
Cummings & Whitman songs, and excerpts from The Cradle Will Rock,
No for an Answer, Regina, and Reuben Reuben
performed by Amy X. Neuburg, John Duykers, Eric Gordon; Sarah Cahill, piano
and showing of the film Hände
Feb. 27, 2005 6-9am WBAI 99.5 FM NY "Through the Opera Glass"
broadcasts Blitzstein's
I've Got the Tune and The Harpies
in Leonard Lehrman Lehrman's 1970 adaptation
Feb. 27, 2005 3pm Great Neck House, 14 Arrandale Av., Great Neck NY
Mar. 5, 2005 8pm People's Voice Cafe, 45 E. 33 St., Manhattan
& Mar. 6, 2005 3pm Choral Room, Aaron Copland School of Music, Queens College
Blitzstein Centennial program, including solo & choral music,
a few world premieres (incl. 2 excerpts from Mahagonny in Blitzstein's translation)
and I've Got the Tune - in Leonard Lehrman's 1970 adaptation
featuring the Workmen's Circle Chorus, the Metropolitan Philharmonic Chorus
and the Solidarity Singers of the New Jersey Industrial Union Council
as well as soloists Helene Williams, Victoria Tralongo, Lorinda Lisitza,
Cameron Smith, Josh Minkin, Lars Woodul, Robert Osborne
accompanied by Leonard Lehrman, John Craven, and percussionist Don Levine
funded in part by The Puffin Foundation
and a Special Opportunity Stipend grant from the East End Arts Council & NYFA
Mar. 2, 2005 7:30pm Blitzstein Symposium
with Ned Rorem, Joan Peyser, Eric Salzman
Helene Williams, Bill Castleman & Leonard Lehrman perform
music written and/or inspired by Blitzstein, including excerpts from
New York Opera and Idiots First
at Brecht Forum, 451 West St. (corner of Bank St.), Westbeth in Manhattan
Info: 212-242-4201 or www.brechtform.org
Mar. 2, 2005 Blitzstein Centennial Concert at Curtis Institute, Philadelphia
including vocal works sung by 8 students, accompanied by Donald St. Pierre
Mar. 10-12, 2005 Patti Lupone stars in concert performances of Blitzstein's opera
Regina at Kennedy Center, Washington DC
Mar. 28, 2005 WBAI 99.5 FM NY "Arts Magazine"
Janet Coleman interviews Leonard Lehrman on the Blitzstein Centennial
radio premiere of "Hard to Say" and "War Song"
Apr. 3, 2005 2pm Blitzstein/Bernstein Cabaret
with Helene Williams & Leonard Lehrman
at Long Beach Public Library, 111 W. Park Ave., Long Beach NY
Info: 516-432-7201
Apr. 7, 2005 8:30pm Spanish premiere of The Cradle Will Rock
[first performance of the work in any language besides English!]
Unidad de Producción Alcores, Madrid
additional performances: Nov. 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26, Dec. 2 & 3
Apr. 10, 2005 3pm Choral Room, Aaron Copland School of Music, Queens College
Lillian Hellman Centennial lecture & mini-recital
Helene Williams & Leonard Lehrman perform excerpts from Regina & Candide
including the world premiere of "Addie's Lullaby," cut from Regina
June 4, 2005 8pm Blitzstein/Bernstein Concert
with the Oceanside Chorale, conducted by Leonard Lehrman
at Merle Avenue School, Oceanside, Long Island
*****
Excerpts from the Long Island Arts Council auditor report on the June 4, 2005 concert:
"The concept of the program was quite good, as Blitzstein's music and accomplishments
are largely unknown. Dr. Lehrman's narration provided some insight
into Blitzstein's life & work and his relationship & influence on Leonard Bernstein.
Dr. Lehrman is fun to watch as a conductor. The accompanist John Craven was excellent."
June 12, 2005 2:30pm Blitzstein/Bernstein Cabaret
with Helene Williams & Leonard Lehrman
at Jericho Public Library, 1 Merry Lane, Jericho
Info: 516-935-6790
July 3, 2005 8pm broadcast of Curtis Institute Blitzstein Centennial Concert of Mar. 2
on WHYY 91 FM: http://www.whyy.org/91FM/live.html
July 29-Aug. 6, 2005 Lauren Flanigan stars in 5 performances of Blitzstein's opera
Regina at Bard College Festival
postponed!
Triple Sec, the first Blitzstein opera,
performed on double bill with Lehrman's The Wooing at Mercyhurst College, Erie PA;
also by the After Dinner Opera Co. in NY City [Date & Place TBA]
Info: 212-477-6212
Aug. 26-Oct. 8, 2005 Jean Cocteau Repertory Theater presents
the world premiere of Bertolt Brecht's
Mother Courage in the Blitzstein translation
Wed.-Sat. eves, Sun. mat.; Info: 212-677-0060
Press opening: Sun., Sep. 4
Fri. Sep. 2 7:00 p.m. lecture by Leonard Lehrman at Cornell
on The Cradle Will Rock, sponsored by Dept. of Theatre, Film & Dance
Sep. 15-17, 22-24, 2005 The Cradle Will Rock
at Kiplinger Theatre, Schwartz Center, Cornell University
David Feldshuh, director; Richard Montgomery, music director
Info: 607-254-2700
Oct. 20-21, 2005 Blitzstein Lecture-Recital, Concert & Master Class
American Music Research Center, Boulder, CO
Th. 10/20 2:00 p.m. Blitzstein piano music recital performed by Leonard Lehrman in Grusin Hall,
under the auspices of the piano faculty, Prof. David Korevaar, chair.
Info: (303) 492-6256
Fri. 10/21 12N-12:45 p.m. lecture-recital by Helene Williams & Leonard Lehrman
on Blitzstein's works for the Center for Humanites & Arts. Free and open to the public.
Info: (303) 735-0237
Fri. 10/21 8:00 p.m. at First Congregational Church, Broadway & Pine Streets,
Blitzstein song recital by Helene Williams & Leonard Lehrman.
Info: (303) 442-1787
Blitzstein piano music recitals by Leonard Lehrman:
Nov. 2, 2005 1:00 p.m. at Bryant Library, Roslyn NY
Nov. 4, 2005 3:00 p.m. at Queens College-CUNY
Weimar in America
Nov. 3, 2005; Mar. 2 & 9, 2006
Baritone Tom Meglioranza & pianist Thomas Sauer perform Blitzstein's
"In the Clear," "The Cradle Will Rock," "Emily,"
"Displaced," "jimmie's got a goil," and "Stay in My Arms"
along with Bolcom, Cage, Eisler & Schoenberg,
at Café Sabarsky/Neue Galerie, 5th Ave. at 86th St.
Nov. 11, 2005 8:00 p.m NY Pops concert
conducted by Rob Fisher, in memory of the late Skitch Henderson
Purdue Varsity Glee Club; William Hurt, narrator
in Blitzstein's Airborne Symphony at Carnegie Hall
Nov. 12, 2005 7-8:30 pm Concert: Innovations Then and Now
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm, Elebash Recital Hall
CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Ave.
includes Blitzstein's "I Wish It So" and "The Cradle Will Rock"
performed by
Margaret Willig Crane, mezzo soprano & Larry Woodard, piano
Feb. 17, 2006 8pm Book Party & Concert
with Helene Williams & Leonard Lehrman
PeaceSmiths Forum, 25 Broadway (Rt. 110), Amityville NY
Tel. 631-798-0778
Mar. 2 & 3, 2006 8pm, Fieldston School, Riverdale NY
world premiere of William Norman's musical, UnAmerican Activities
presented in conjunction with an abridged version of
Blitzstein's The Cradle Will Rock
April 11, 2006 8pm New York Festival of Song at Merkin Hall
William Sharp sings two songs from Blitzstein's "From Marion's Book"
May 23, 2006 2pm Blitzstein/Bernstein Cabaret
with Helene Williams & Leonard Lehrman
at Bethpage Public Library, 47 Powell Ave., Bethpage NY
Info: 516-931-3907
June 11, 2006 11am
Helene Williams & Leonard Lehrman perform
Songs of Social Consciousness
including several Blitzstein songs
together with Cantor Charles Osborne
at Community Church of Boston, 565 Boylston St., Boston
Info: 617-484-4909
June 25, 2006 9pm
Helene Williams & Leonard Lehrman perform
works of Blitzstein, Lehrman, and others
in English, Hebrew, Yiddish, and Ladino
at the home of Blitzstein's cousin,
Prof. Moshe & Yael Ron, Derekh Hayam 29, Haifa
Tel. 972 - 4 - 8361740 or 972 - 4 - 8387280
July 1, 2006 9pm
repeat of June 25, 2006 concert at
FELICJA BLUMENTAL MUSIC CENTER & LIBRARY
26 Bialik St., Tel Aviv. Tel: 03-6201185
Oct.. 22, 2006 3:00 PM
Second Avenue Comes to Canarsie
at Temple Emanuel of Canarsie, 1880 Rockaway Parkway
incl. excerpts from Tales of Malamud
Oct. 25, 2006 3:00 PM [postponed from Oct. 2005]
A Jewish-American Oktoberfest: A Yiddishe Momme in Wagner's Backyard
at Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, University Center, Majestic Palm Room
incl. excerpts from Tales of Malamud
Jan. 17, 2007 New York Festival of Song at Juilliard
Michael Barrett accompanies students in
The Mission Scene from The Cradle Will Rock
Songs of Love & War
with Helene Williams, Gregory Mercer & Leonard Lehrman
including the Sacco-Rosa-Vanzetti Trio from Sacco and Vanzetti
Jan. 21, 2007 2:30 PM at Jericho Public Library
Feb. 4, 2007 2:30 PM at Bryant Library, Roslyn
SAT. FEB. 17, 2007 8:00 PM at People's Voice Cafe, 45 E. 33 St., Manhattan
Mar. 4, 2007 7:00 PM Vertical Player Repertory presents
New Music New York: Americans in Paris
with Bruce Rameker singing Blitzstein's "Zipperfly"
at 219 Court St., Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
Mar. 6, 2007 8:00 PM Repeat of Mar. 4 program
at St. Peter's, Citicorp, Lexington Ave. at 54th St., Manhattan
June 2, 2007 2:00 PM
New England Opera Group presentation on Marc Blitzstein
at the Newton Public Library, Newton Centre, Mass.
including discussion, video, and live performance
June 3, 2007 2:00 PM
A Yiddishe Momme in Wagner's Backyard
including excerpts from Tales of Malamud
at the National Yiddish Book Center
1021 West Street, Amherst, MA 01002 USA
Adm.: $8 Info: 413-256-4900 ext. 116 (Nora Gerard)
Also under consideration:
Sacco and Vanzetti at Stoneham Theatre (Stoneham, Mass.),
American Composers Orchestra
Blitzstein lecture-recitals/symposia at
Mercyhurst College, Kingsborough Community College