Critic’s Choice

Thu Apr 12, 2018 at 11:11 am

By Lawrence A. Johnson

Evgeny Kissin is a longtime and popular visitor to Chicago where his recitals invariably draw a packed house. This weekend offers the rare opportunity to catch the Russian pianist in the role of chamber musician with some equally esteemed colleagues.

Kissin will team up with the Emerson String Quartet Sunday afternoon for a program of three piano-and-strings cornerstones: Mozart’s Piano Quartet in G minor, Fauré’s Piano Quartet No. 1 and Dvorák’s Piano Quintet No. 2.

Concert time is 3 p.m. Sunday at Symphony Center. cso.org; 312-294-2000.

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For its season-closer, Chicago Opera Theater is putting aside its usual (and laudable) emphasis on contemporary works for a pair of rarities by Gaetano Donizetti.

COT is pairing two one-act operas from early and late in the prolific composer’s career. Il Pigmalione, the 19-year-old composer’s first opera will be heard along with Rita, a late domestic comedy. The cast includes Angela Mortellaro, Keith Phares and Javier Abreu, with Francesco Milioto conducting.

The Donizetti double-bill opens 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Studebaker Theater and will be repeated April 20 and 22. cot.org; 312-874-8414.

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