Battle at the Long Center

Though it's a bit last notice, amazingly there are still tickets left: Kathleen Battle performs in recital at the Long Center on Monday evening. Kudos to the Long Center for offering up an amazing inaugural season, and especially for kicking it off with such a rare, classy event—one we probably won't see the likes of for another several seasons. And only that soon if we're lucky.

Even if you're not a fan of opera, watching—and more importantly listening to—a soprano of Battle's unmatched skill in a solo performance is an extraordinary opportunity. The term "piano recital" conjures images of girls in frilly dresses playing difficult tunes...badly. Germans call these kinds of performances Liederabends, or Song Evenings. Without all the pomp of an opera—the dancing, the choral bits, the wheeling in and out of gargantuan set pieces—you're left with pure, distilled vocal talent. Quite likely you'll hear music other than opera; for example, Battle's performance of Swing Low, Sweet Chariot moves us to tears. The song choices highlight the performer's best work, giving her a chance to soar. No one soars quite like Kathleen Battle.

This is Battle's last stop before making her eagerly anticipated return to Carnegie Hall later in the week. Catch her while you still can. At the Long Center on Monday, 4/7, 8pm. Tickets available online.