MUSIC

New York Philharmonic: Anthony Roth Costanzo Sings Berlioz

THURSDAY & SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3 & 5, 2022
7:30 PM THURSDAY
8:00 PM SATURDAY

Authentic Selves: The Beauty Within
Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center
70 Lincoln Center Plaza, Upper West Side, Manhattan

$39-$83
TICKETS + INFORMATION

The big news on this program curated by Anthony Roth Costanzo to explore marginalized identities is Julius Eastman’s Symphony No. II — The Faithful Friend: The Lover’s Love for the Beloved, which never gets played around here (and certainly not by the Philharmonic) (the now-resurgent Eastman having been, in his lifetime, about as marginalized as a major cultural figure could be): Minimalism with maximum emotional impact. There’s also a new vocal piece by Gregory Spears, whom I’d call mellifluous if it didn’t sound like I was belittling him. As for the titular Berlioz, it’s always been a conundrum what vocal type or types should sing the songs in his ineffable orchestral cycle Les Nuites d’Eté. The most frequent choice is a mezzo; Costanzo now proposes a counter-tenor: himself. I can’t wait.

MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Get over to Bar Boulud while it’s still Cassoulet season.