Previews

The late James Schwabacher established a debut recital series 26 years ago, providing performance opportunities for young singers many of whom have gone on to great fame.

Allan Shearer’s new opera The Dawn Makers is based on the ancient Greek myth of Eos, goddess of the dawn and her human lover, Tithonys, who is made immortal but not eternally youthful. In this comic updating, the couple are joined by a pool man who knows enough to decline the offer of immortality, and two Valley girls who double as the horses of the Goddess’ chariot.

Years ago, Ruth Felt’s San Francisco Performances introduced a young violinist and pianist to the Bay Area. By now, Christian Tetzlaff and Leif Ove Andsnes are among the most acclaimed musicians in the world. The German violinist and Norwegian pianist are returning to Herbst Theatre for a much-anticipated concert, performing music by Janáček, Brahms, Mozart, and Schubert.

The Symphony’s annual family concerts on the occasion of the Lunar New Year are not only colorful celebrations of Chinese culture and music, they also present first-class talent. It was at one of these concerts that Yuja Wang, now a pianist superstar, made her San Franciso debut.