NYC Best: St. Pat’s Pub Crawl, Hardbody, Vampyr, Batali
Even for opera, Francesco Cavalli’s 1667 “Eliogabalo” is way out there: it’s based on a Roman emperor who dressed in drag, had sex with anything that moved and was killed by his own guards.
Never performed in the composer’s lifetime, “Eliogabalo” is being staged at louche nightclub the Box by the always inventive Gotham Chamber Opera.
Through March 29 at the Box, 189 Chrystie St. Information: +1-212-868-4460; http://www.gothamchamberopera.org.
Alternatively, the Afro-Cuban All Stars are playing a gig at the Blue Note.
Bandleader Juan de Marcos Gonzalez showcases several generations of musicians and a range of genres, from son to danzon and timba.
Runs through March 17 at the Blue Note Jazz Club, 131 W. 3rd St. Information: +1-212-475-8592; http://www.bluenote.net.
Saturday
The St. Patrick’s Day Parade, started in 1762 and now the biggest in the world, marches up Fifth Avenue from 44th Street to 86th Street.
Post parade, you can go on a registered Saint Paddy’s Luck of the Irish Pub Crawl with more than 300 participating bars.
Or you can set out on an independent run, beginning at McSorley’s Old Ale House at 15 E. 7th St. or temple of suds worship Burp Castle at 41 E. 7th St.
Irish-themed events, from tear-jerking concerts to flamboyant burlesque, take place at various venues all weekend.
Information: http://www.nycgo.com/events/st.-patricks-day- parade and http://saintpattys.com.
Saturday Matinee
Down on your luck, yet want a truck?
Head to “Hands on a Hardbody” to see who outlasts the other wannabes by staying attached to the new vehicle longest.
Doug Wright wrote the book based on a true story; Amanda Green and Phish founder Trey Anastasio composed the music.
Keith Carradine, Hunter Foster and Connie Ray star.
In previews at the Brooks Atkinson, 256 W. 47th St., for a March 21 opening. Information: +1-877-250-2929; http://brooksatkinsontheater.com.
Mario Batali’s Esca is perfect for a glass of prosecco and spaghetti with chilis, mint and a one-pound lobster.
At 402 W. 43rd St. Information: +1-212-564-7272.
Saturday Night
Don’t miss a performance of what many regard as the greatest piece of music ever written: Bach’s Mass in B Minor.
Alan Gilbert conducts the New York Philharmonic and the New York Choral Artists with Dorothea Roschmann, Anne Sofie von Otter, Steve Davislim and Eric Owens.
At Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center. Information: +1-212- 875-5656; http://nyphil.org.
Sunday
Using books and iron, French architect Henri Labrouste created two masterpieces -- the Bibliotheque Ste.-Genevieve and the Bibliotheque Nationale.
A show at the Museum of Modern Art delves into his radical thinking about materials and space.
Perhaps it will inspire those poised to ruin the New York Public Library’s beautiful 42nd St. building.
Runs through June 24 at MoMA, 11 W. 53rd St. Information: +1-212-708-9400; http://www.moma.org.
Then to the Brasserie for lemon-ricotta pancakes with black raspberry compote.
At 100 E. 53 St. Information: +1-212-751-4840.
Sunday Matinee
Spend time with a suave aristocrat who also happens to be a vampire.
In his concert version of Heinrich Marschner’s 1827 opera, “Der Vampyr,” Leon Botstein and the American Symphony Orchestra bring Lord Ruthven back from the dead.
To survive, he must drink the blood of three maidens in a single day.
At Carnegie Hall, Seventh Avenue and 57th Street. Information: +1-212-247-7800; http://www.carnegiehall.org.
Sunday Night
Le Poisson Rouge’s fantastically inventive programmers have scheduled Astor Piazzolla tango-filled “Maria de Buenos Aires,” a surreal story about a woman who is seduced by dance music and winds up a streetwalker.
Characters include a poet narrator, puppets, thieves, brothel owners and a circus of psychoanalysts.
Solange Merdinian stars in the production by Opera Hispanica.
At Le Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleecker St. Information: +1-212- 505-3474; http://www.lepoissonrouge.com.
(Zinta Lundborg is an editor for Muse, the arts and leisure section of Bloomberg News. The opinions expressed are her own.)
Muse highlights include Lewis Lapham’s podcast and Jeremy Gerard on theater.
To contact the reporter on this story: Zinta Lundborg at zlundborg@bloomberg.net.
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Manuela Hoelterhoff at mhoelterhoff@bloomberg.net.
'Maria de Buenos Aires'
Opera Hispanica via Bloomberg
"Maria de Buenos Aires" by Astor Piazzolla. The tango-opera, conducted by Jorge Parodi and directed by Beth Greenberg, is at Le Poisson Rouge.
"Maria de Buenos Aires" by Astor Piazzolla. The tango-opera, conducted by Jorge Parodi and directed by Beth Greenberg, is at Le Poisson Rouge. Source: Opera Hispanica via Bloomberg
St. Patrick's Day Parade
Chris Hondros/Getty Images via Bloomberg
Members of the New York State Fraternal Order of Police Irish War Pipe Band during a St. Patrick's Day Parade. The biggest parade in the world marches up Fifth Avenue.
Members of the New York State Fraternal Order of Police Irish War Pipe Band during a St. Patrick's Day Parade. The biggest parade in the world marches up Fifth Avenue. Photographer: Chris Hondros/Getty Images via Bloomberg
'Eliogabalo'
Richard Termine/Michelle Tabnick Communications
"Eliogabalo" by Francesco Cavalli, presented by Gotham Chamber Opera.
"Eliogabalo" by Francesco Cavalli, presented by Gotham Chamber Opera. Photographer: Richard Termine/Michelle Tabnick Communications
'Hands on a Hardbody'
Kevin Berne/The Hartman Group PR via Bloomberg
Allison Case and the cast of "Hands on a Hardbody."
Allison Case and the cast of "Hands on a Hardbody." Photographer: Kevin Berne/The Hartman Group PR via Bloomberg
Alan Gilbert
Chris Lee/New York Philharmonic via Bloomberg
Alan Gilbert and the New York Philharmonic perform Bach's great Mass in B Minor on Friday and Saturday at Lincoln Center.
Alan Gilbert and the New York Philharmonic perform Bach's great Mass in B Minor on Friday and Saturday at Lincoln Center. Photographer: Chris Lee/New York Philharmonic via Bloomberg
'Henri Labrouste: Structure Brought to Light'
Michel Nguyen/Bibliothèque Sainte‐Genevieve/Museum of Modern Art via Bloomberg
The reading room at the Bilbiotheque Sainte-Geneviene in Paris, France. "Henri Labrouste: Structure Brought to Light" runs through June 24 at MoMA.
The reading room at the Bilbiotheque Sainte-Geneviene in Paris, France. "Henri Labrouste: Structure Brought to Light" runs through June 24 at MoMA. Photographer: Michel Nguyen/Bibliothèque Sainte‐Genevieve/Museum of Modern Art via Bloomberg
Leon Botstein
Philip Lewis/Bloomberg
Leon Botstein conducts the American Symphony Orchestra in a concert performance of Heinrich Marschner’s 1827 opera "Der Vampyr" at Carnegie Hall on Sunday.
Leon Botstein conducts the American Symphony Orchestra in a concert performance of Heinrich Marschner’s 1827 opera "Der Vampyr" at Carnegie Hall on Sunday. Photographer: Philip Lewis/Bloomberg
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