Mondavi Center

02/17/2025

🎶 The next generation of classical music is here! These young talents are already making waves worldwide with their with their incredible artistry. Get tickets to see these remarkable musicians bring their captivating and inspiring performances to the Mondavi Center stage. Plan your next visit at www.mondaviarts.org🎟️

[Image descriptions:
1. Bruce Liu stands in front of grand piano.
2. Janine Jansen sitting on staircase holding violin.
4. Black and white image of Benjamin Beilman holding violin.
4. Erinys Quartet pose holding their instruments.
5. Isidore String Quartet pose holding their instruments
6. Hilary Hahn smiling holding violin.]

02/14/2025

One of the greatest perks of working in the performing arts is special moments like these: Heloisa Fernandes Quartet giving an exclusive Q&A for our Mondavi Center staff yesterday. We got to hear about the inspirational trip to the Amazon that led to the development of Heloisa's newest program, “Sonhos das águas" (Dream of the Waters), each member's first introduction to music as a child, and the greatest gift that can be given to a budding musician: freedom to pave their own path.

We are so grateful to Heloisa, Toninho, Sidiel, and Ari for taking time out of their busy preparations for this week's performances to share their reflections with us. We look forward to hosting two more magical nights of music tonight and tomorrow!

Special thanks to Michael Grofsorean, their agent, for bringing them to the Mondavi Center and for the wonderful photos!

[Image Description: Heloisa Fernandes Quartet being interviewed by Associate Executive Director and Director of Programming, Rob Tocalino on stage in Jackson Hall. From left to right: Rob Tocalino, Heloisa Fernandes (piano), Toninho Carrasqueira (flute), Sidiel Viera (double bass), and Ari Colares (percussion).]

02/14/2025

📣 New show just added to the current season: Omar Offendum's Neo-Hakawati Nights comes to the Mondavi Center Thursday, April 24 and Friday, April 25!

Celebrate Arab-American Heritage Month this April with an unforgettable evening featuring Syrian-American rapper & poet OMAR OFFENDUM, who will be joined by Palestinian multi-instrumentalist Zafer Tawil and DJ / Beatmaker Thanks Joey.

This very special performance draws upon the hakawati (Arabic storytelling) traditions of Damascus, while remaining deeply rooted in the stories and streets of New York & Los Angeles.

🎟️ Tickets go onsale to the public next Friday, February 21. Learn more at https://www.mondaviarts.org/whats-on/omar-offendum

[Image Description: Omar Offendum performs onstage.]

02/13/2025

Thank you to CapRadio for being the sponsor of Heloísa Fernandes Quartet. We greatly appreciate your support. https://www.mondaviarts.org/whats-on/heloisa-fernandes-quartet/

02/12/2025

➡️ Keep swiping to learn ✨three fun facts✨ about Academy of St Martin in the Fields! Then, join us for their performance with pianist Bruce Liu on February 27 as they play beautiful renditions of Copland, Mozart, Adams and Haydn. Tickets at mondaviarts.org

[Image Description:
1. 3 Fun Facts About Academy of St Martin in the Fields, February 27, 2025 with a photo of the conductor and orchestra.
2. "Fun Fact 1: The orchestra is named after St Martin-in-the-Fields, a historic church in Trafalgar Square, London, where the orchestra gave its first performance. The church is known for its beautiful acoustics and its association with music and the arts." The accompanying photo is the inside of the church.
3. "Fun Fact 2: Academy of St Martin in the Fields became one of the first chamber orchestras to record for a major label when it recorded the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto which featured Joshua Bell and Sir Neville Marriner." The accompanying photo is the orchestra's violin section.
4. "Fun Fact 3: The Academy has a long-standing commitment to nurturing young musicians. It regularly holds educational programs and outreach concerts to inspire the next generation of classical musicians." The accompanying photo is the orchestra's wind instruments section.]

02/12/2025

🌸 IMPORTANT UPDATE: Our Valentine’s Day Scavenger Hunt has been postponed due to tomorrow's anticipated rain and flood warnings. The new date will be Tuesday, February 18 at 12pm. 🌸

🎟️ UC Davis Students, keep an eye on our Instagram story for clues to find 3 FREE tickets hidden on campus! These tickets will get you access to any incredible performance at the Mondavi Center for the remainder of the 24-25 season.

[Image Description:
Valentine's Day Scavenger Hunt Reminder with a pink and purple flower with road as a stem.]

02/11/2025

🎻 Benjamin Beilman is one of the most remarkable violinists of his generation, known for his passionate performances and deep, rich tone. Praised by critics from The New York Times and The Strad, his playing has been described as "muscular with a glint of violence" and "pure poetry."

A celebrated performer worldwide, Beilman has played with prestigious orchestras like the Chicago Symphony and London Philharmonic. And as one of the youngest faculty members at the Curtis Institute of Music, he continues to inspire the next generation of musicians.

🎶 Beilman will be joined by pianist Steven Osborne at the Mondavi Center on March 7. They’ll be performing an extraordinary program featuring works by Clara Schumann, Johannes Brahms, Lili Boulanger, and César Franck. Tickets at mondaviarts.org

[Image Description; Black and white photo of Benjamin Beilman holding a violin and standing in front of a body of water.]

02/10/2025

In recognition of , we're highlighting seven-time Grammy winner Terence Blanchard, a Black jazz trumpeter and composer who has made significant contributions to our society through his achievements and advocacy.

In 2021, he became the first Black composer to have an opera staged at the Metropolitan Opera. The opera, "Fire Shut Up in My Bones," is based on the memoir of Charles M. Blow, a Black journalist known for his column in the New York Times.

Blanchard has scored many films for Spike Lee, including Do the Right Thing, Mo' Better Blues, Malcolm X, Jungle Fever, BlackKkklansman, and Da' 5 Bloods. Blanchard has spoken about the role of music in social justice and the need for a new generation of leaders.

He was also recently appointed as Executive Artistic Director for SFJAZZ, a recognized international leader in jazz creation, presentation, and education.

This year Blanchard celebrates the 20th anniversary of his Grammy-nominated and highly acclaimed studio album, "Flow." His performance on April 11 is part of our collaUC Davis Division of Diversity, Equity & Inclusionty & Inclusion and will have a pre-show reception. Learn more at mondaviarts.org

[Image Description: Terence Blanchard in a red suede suit with a cross necklace, holding his trumpet.]

02/05/2025

📢 Reminder: Don’t miss the Sasha Velour Student Social happening this Friday! Hosted in partnership with UC Davis LGBTQIA Resource Center

📍 Mondavi Center Student Lounge
📅 February 7
⏰ 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM

🍕 Enjoy free pizza from Woodstock’s Pizza (while supplies last!) 🍕

🎟️ Don’t forget: You’ll need your Sasha Velour ticket and student ID to join.

Get ready to connect with fellow students and gear up for an unforgettable evening with Sasha Velour!

[Image Description:
Both images feature a photo of Sasha Velour in a hot pink dress and extravagant orange wig.
Image 1 Text: Sasha Velour: The Big Reveal: Why Drag Matters, Now & Forever on Friday February 7 at 7:30PM
Image 2 Text: Student Social on Friday, February 7 from 6:30PM - 7:30PM at the Mondavi Center Student Lounge.]

02/05/2025

Bruce Liu was only 24 years old when he won the 18th International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition in 2021, making him the first Canadian to do so. Liu’s “playing of breathtaking beauty” (BBC Music Magazine) has secured his reputation as one of the most exciting talents of his generation and contributed to a “rock-star status in the classical music world” (The Globe and Mail).

Born in Paris to Chinese parents but growing up in Montreal, Liu’s phenomenal artistry has been shaped by his multi-cultural heritage: European refinement, North American dynamism and the long tradition of Chinese culture.

“I sensed that the nature and landscape of these pieces are not dissimilar to those of Canada. Both countries [Russia and Canada] are very big, and in such wide, vast landscapes…," he said when speaking with Gramophone about his recording of Tchaikovsky’s "The Seasons."

Bruce Liu joins Academy of St Martin in the Fields on Thursday, February 27 to perform works from Mozart, Copland, and Haydn. Tickets available at mondaviarts.org

[Image Description: Bruce Liu in a red suit with his back against the keys of a black piano under red and blue lighting.]

02/04/2025

💌 UC Davis Students: Are you ready for an adventure? Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a Mondavi Center Scavenger Hunt!

We’re hiding 3 FREE tickets around the UC Davis campus for an opportunity to attend any incredible performance at the Mondavi Center. 🌸

📅 Mark your calendars: Tune in to our Instagram story on Thursday, February 13 for clues to uncover the locations. Be quick, because these won’t last!

Let's make this Valentine’s Day unforgettable! 💖🌷

Image Description:
1. "Mondavi Center Valentine's Day Scavenger Hunt" text above a pink and purple flower with roads as stem
2. "Look out of our story on Thursday, Feb 13 to find 3 free tickets hidden on campus!" text is below a purple flower with road as a stem

02/04/2025

The 2025 Grammys were full of historic wins for Black musicians! 👏Congratulations to the extraordinary Michelle Cann (piano) for winning a 2025 Grammy for Best Classical Solo Vocal Album for her collaboration with soprano vocalist, Karen Slack. The album, "Beyond the Years," highlighted the works of Florence Price, a trailblazing Black composer and pianist whose contributions were largely unrecognized during her lifetime.

Michelle Cann joins the growing list of Grammy-award winning Black artists that have performed at the Mondavi Center, including Jon Batiste, Samara Joy, and Terence Blanchard, among others.

Michelle Cann will perform Fantasie n***e No. 1 by Florence Price when she joins Erinys Quartet for Curtis on Tour on Sunday, May 4, 2025. Their program will also include works from Ludwig van Beethoven and Antonín Dvořák. Tickets available at mondaviarts.org.

[Image Description:
Michelle Cann in a black blouse with green, blue, and purple floral patterns.]

02/02/2025

Thank you to Old Sugar Mill for being the sponsor of Barbara K. Jackson Rising Stars of Opera. We greatly appreciate your support.
https://www.mondaviarts.org/whats-on/rso-24-25/

02/01/2025

It's finally February! That means Valentine's Day is right around the corner 💕 Trying to plan the perfect date night for you and your special someone? We've got you covered!

See a full list of February shows at: https://www.mondaviarts.org/events-and-tickets/

[Image Description:
1. "Valentine's Day is almost here! Swipe to see our February shows that will make the perfect romantic evening." An bouquet of flowers is in the bottom right corner.
2. "An evening of jazz-infused passion with Heloísa Fernandes Quartet: February 13 - 15."
3. "A night of sweet Serenade with London Symphony Orchestra; Sir Antonio Pappano chief conductor and Janine Jansen, violin: February 22."
4. "An eve of classical elegance with Academy of St Martin in the Fields with Bruce Liu, piano: February 27." ]

01/29/2025

Bereish*t Dance Company's upcoming performance blends contemporary dance with the rich, emotional art form of Pansori — a Korean genre of musical storytelling characterized by expressive singing and dynamic drumming.

Want to know more about the origins and elements of pansori? Check out this video from the Korean Cultural Center, Los Angeles to dive deeper: https://youtu.be/JbalRp9yLpM

Then, join us on Thursday, February 20 at 7:30pm to
experience this mesmerizing manifestation of emotion in-person!

The Korean Cultural Center Los Angeles (Wijin Park, Director) and Korean traditional music (Gugak) artist, Seo-Yoon Jang present a special online project, En...

01/29/2025

🎉 BIG NEWS! 🎉 Théotime Langlois de Swarte’s "Vivaldi: Le quattro stagioni" has hit NUMBER TWO on Apple Music's Classical Top 100 Chart – and it's only been one week since its release! 🔥 This stunning album, recorded with Orchestre Le Consort, is already turning heads (or ears) in the classical world.

If you haven't heard it yet, now's the time to dive in. Listen to the album on Apple Music here: https://music.apple.com/us/album/vivaldi-le-quattro-stagioni/1779419985

🎟️ Théotime Langlois de Swarte will also be performing Vivaldi’s "Four Seasons" at 300 with Les Arts Florissants on March 21 at the Mondavi Center! Grab your tickets at mondaviarts.org

[Image Description: Album cover with Théotime Langlois de Swarte holding his violin and looking off to the right with historic European buildings and canal in the background.]

01/24/2025

🗣️ “Time and time again I saw drag and q***r culture bringing brilliant and unforgettable ideas to our own simple, self-made platforms. I loved how drag performances could adapt to any setting: theaters and street corners alike. That's transformation, that's art!”
— Sasha Velour in "The Big Reveal: An Illustrated Manifesto of Drag"

Sasha Velour's 2023 memoir illuminates drag as a unique form of expression with a rich history and a revolutionary spirit. She recalls her own journey, from the women who raised her, to learning the craft of an artist while uncovering the history of q***r life around the world.

🎤 She brings the book to the stage in her talk "The Big Reveal: Why Drag Matters, Now & Forever" at the Mondavi Center on February 8. The night will also include a moderated audience Q&A session.

[Image Description:
Book cover of the "The Big Reveal: An Illustrated Manifesto of Drag" with a quote above from the Los Angeles Review of Books "An invaluable contribution to our modern understanding of drag. Next to the book cover is a photo of Sasha Velour, glammed up in a yellow dress.]

01/24/2025

📣 Grammy award-winning violinist Joshua Bell and pianist Peter Dugan have just announced the program for their upcoming recital at the Mondavi Center!

The program includes:
- Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 21 in E Minor by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
- Fantasy in C Major for Violin and Piano, Op. posth. 159, D. 934 by Franz Schubert
- Violin Sonata No. 1 in A major, Op. 13 by Gabriel Fauré
- Additional works to be announced from the stage!

Don't miss him when he performs with NPR's "From the Top" Peter Dugan (piano) on April 4. Tickets available at mondaviarts.org