Some things old, some things new, some things bold and some things you’ll probably never see again — this is what the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts will present to launch its second decade in 2013-14.
The new season, announced today (April 12), includes returning favorites (starting with the Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club, as the season-opening show, Sept. 21), long-awaited debuts (Emmylou Harris and The King’s Singers), a new series called VST Visions (in the Vanderhoef Studio Theatre) and once-in-a-lifetime experiences (for example, pianist Stewart Goodyear performing all 32 Beethoven sonatas, from memory, in one day).
Subscription ticket sales begin Monday (April 15); all discounts remain in place. They include 20 percent off series subscriptions and 15 percent off add-on events and choose-your-own subscriptions (five or more events). Faculty and staff receive an additional 10 percent, on top of these discounts.
“We move proudly into our second decade with a 2013-14 season that will feature groundbreaking presentations, leading artists in return engagements and debut appearances by some of the most iconic artists and ensembles in the performing arts,” said Don Roth, the Mondavi Center’s executive director.
Among the artists coming back: the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, Brazilian dance company Grupo Corpo, the American Bach Soloists (performing Messiah) and the Alexander String Quartet (which hasn’t missed a Mondavi Center season).
Besides Harris (in the American Heritage series) and The King’s Singers, others making their Mondavi Center debuts include jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal, actress and speaker Laura Dern, and the full orchestra of the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, led for the first time by music director Joshua Bell.
The Salzburg Marionette Theater, celebrating its 100th anniversary, is also coming to the Mondavi Center for the first time, bringing grand opera and musicals — on strings — in a four-day visit.
Jumping to the other side of the Alps, Compagnia T.P.O. will take audiences young and old on a guided journey through the Mediterranean Sea with their newest immersive production Bleu!
VST Visions
The center describes VST Visions as “a new way to enjoy the diversity of artists and art forms we bring to our popular Vanderhoef Studio Theatre.”
“This is a space that inspires exploration, and we want to encourage audiences to come along for the ride.” To that end, tickets for VST Visions programs will start at just $10 for children and students. (This is not a series; tickets are available only as part of a choose-your-own subscription, or as add-ons to a series.)
VST Visions comprises something classical (New York Polyphony, a quartet of male vocalists), something conversational (Two Men Talking), something choreographic (Stephen Petronio’s Intravenous Lecture and UNDERLAND) and something “compagnia” (as in Compagnia T.P.O.).
Subscription purchases
Subscriptions can be purchased online; by telephone, (530) 754-2787 or (866) 754-2787; or in person (the box office is open from noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday).
One-on-one assistance with subscription orders will be offered during an open house, 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 27, in the Yocha Dehe Grand Lobby. Refreshments will be provided.
The deadline for renewals is May 31. Single-event tickets are set to go on sale in early August.
Media Resources
Dave Jones, Dateline, 530-752-6556, dljones@ucdavis.edu