Culture Worthy of your Calendar

Big time of year

This week between Christmas and New Year’s is the perfect time to pull out those new calendars and start putting in dates for the cultural happenings that begin big time in January. And January is chock-full of events, because producers know that their audience is made up of the “Snowbirds” who’ve come to Florida for the winter and those of us who live here year-round, which is why you have me, your “Culture Buddy,” to alert you to the not-to-be-missed tickets!

Virtuosity takes the stage

Virtuoso pianist William Wolfram joins the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra to perform Brahms’ powerful “Piano Concerto No. 1” on Jan. 14 at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center. Savaged by critics at its first performance, the Concerto has since joined the ranks of the finest of classical music creations. Reflecting Brahms’ decision to combine the piano with the orchestra as equal partners, award-winning pianist William Wolfram is the perfect pianist to fulfill the composer’s intent. Call 407-770-0071 or visit orlandophil.org.

Les Mis’ 25th birthday

The epic Broadway musical “Les Miserables” celebrates its 25th anniversary as the most successful musical of all time with a brand new production, including re-imagined scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo. “The New York Times” calls the new version “an unquestionably spectacular production from start to finish,” and NY1-TV says “this new production actually exceeds the original. The storytelling is clearer, the perspective grittier and the motivations more honest. ‘Les Miz’ is born again.” “Les Mis” will inspire audiences once again from Tuesday, Jan. 17, to Sunday, Jan. 22, at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center. Tickets are available at OrlandoBroadway.com and at the Orlando box office at 100 S. Eola Drive, Suite 101, or call 1-800-982-2787.

Winterfest in Daytona Beach

Congratulations to the Daytona Beach Symphony Society, currently celebrating its 60th season of incredible concerts. In January, DBSS presents Winterfest, which includes a fully staged opera and two outstanding concerts. They begin with the original “Bad Boy” of opera. “Don Giovanni” is the story of Don Juan, history’s most famous lover. It’s by Mozart, it’s fully staged and it’s one of the greatest operas ever written. Since Mozart conducted the first performance, audiences have found the roguish romancer so intriguing that they root for him even as his dark side takes over. “Don Giovanni” comes to the Peabody Auditorium in Daytona Beach on Friday, Jan. 27, in a full-scale production with orchestra, sets, costumes and singers drawn from Europe’s great opera houses. Winterfest continues on a lighter note as the Canadian Brass brings its special brand of music, passion and joy to the Peabody Auditorium on Saturday, Jan. 28, at 7 p.m. and Russia’s St. Petersburg State Orchestra rounds out the Winterfest weekend on Sunday, Jan. 29, with a 3 p.m. matinee at Peabody Auditorium. Call Ticketmaster 1-800-745-3000 or visit www.dbss.org.

Handpicked by Billy Joel

The “New Voice of the American Rock & Roll Songbook,” Michael Cavanaugh was handpicked by Billy Joel to star in his Broadway musical “Movin’ Out.” Evoking a voice and talent to rival the Piano Man himself, Cavanaugh will be joined on stage by the entire Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra at the Bob Carr PAC on Saturday, Jan. 28, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Call 407-770-0071 or visit orlandophil.org.

Valentine’s Day with Andrea Bocelli

And if you had trouble finding the perfect gift for your sweetheart at Christmas, then I’ve got the perfect gift for Valentine’s Day. We need a word bigger than “superstar” for the Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, who will make a very special Valentine’s Day weekend appearance at the Amway Center on Sunday, Feb. 12. The performance will highlight Bocelli's lushly romantic repertoire of classical arias along with the world’s most famous love songs, @@and@@ this is Bocelli’s first-ever performance in Orlando. Bocelli (“the Voice”) has sold more than 65 million albums worldwide and receives rave reviews throughout his sold-out tours. This tenor sells out, so I’m alerting you to his performance early. You can buy tickets at amwaycenter.com, Amway Center box office, Ticketmaster retail locations, charge-by-phone at 800-745-3000 or at Ticketmaster.com.