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Spring arts 2019 | Top classical music picks in San Diego: Anoushka Shankar, San Diego Opera, Anthony Davis, Mainly Mozart Festival and more

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Just as flowers are expected to be plentiful this spring, the classical music scene will be bursting with color — aurally speaking.

San Diego New Music: “Aeneas in the Underworld”

The first two acts have been performed locally; now comes the premiere of this chamber oratorio in its entirety. Created by University of San Diego music professor Christopher Adler and guitarist Colin McAllister, “Aeneas” features McAllister, Quartet Nouveau and Pablo Gómez Cano on guitar and oration (Latin with English subtitles). 7:30 p.m. March 29. The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. $5-$25. (858) 454-5872. ljathenaeum.org/new-music and sandiegonewmusic.com

Fresh Sound: Jennifer Curtis

Part of the trailblazing artist collective International Contemporary Ensemble, Curtis has performed solo violin from Romania and Peru to Iceland and Carnegie Hall. So imagine what the multi-genre-loving maverick can do in an intimate venue. 7:30 p.m. March 31. White Box Live Arts, Liberty Station, 2590 Truxton Road, No. 205, Point Loma. $10-$20. (619) 987-6214. freshsoundmusic.com

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University of California San Diego: Anthony Davis’ Black Lives Matter

Several of UC San Diego professor Davis’ acclaimed operas explore the African-American experience. He has selected arias from “X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X,” “Amistad” and others to be performed by soprano Christine Jobson, bass-baritone Carl DuPont and pianist Alan Johnson. 7 p.m. April 3. Conrad Prebys Concert Hall, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla. $10.50-$15.50. (858) 534-3448. musicweb.ucsd.edu/concerts

San Diego Opera: “Carmen”

Although a distilled, small-cast version of Georges Bizet’s beloved opera (“The Tragedy of Carmen”) was done in 2017 as part of San Diego Opera’s Detour series, the full grand opera version returns this spring in a new production starring Italian-American mezzo Ginger Costa-Jackson, who makes her company debut in the title role. Company general director David Bennett describes Costa-Jackson as “a phenomenal singer and stage creature and a beautiful actor.” Other debuts include tenor Robert Watson as Carmen’s vengeful lover Don José, baritone Scott Conner as bullfighter Escamillo, soprano Sarah Tucker as Don José’s discarded love, Micaëla, and San Diego-based mezzo-soprano Guadalupe Paz as Mercedes. Returning are conductor Yves Abel (“Daughter of the Regiment,” 2013) and director Kyle Lang (“As One,” 2017). March 30, April 2, 5 and 7. San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave. $49 and up. (619) 533-7000. sdopera.org (Pam Kragen)

San Diego Symphony Chamber Music Series: Inon Barnatan

Several principal players and the San Diego Symphony String Quartet, featuring concertmaster Jeff Thayer, join noted pianist Inon Barnatan for works by Ravel and Dvorák. Barnatan returns in August as La Jolla Music Society’s new SummerFest music director. 7:30 p.m. April 11. Baker-Baum Concert Hall, The Conrad, 7600 Fay Ave, La Jolla. $45. (619) 235-0804. sandiegosymphony.org

La Jolla Music Society: Anoushka Shankar

Internationally renowned sitar player and composer Shankar, a former Encinitas resident, is as expert playing classical ragas she learned from her late father, Ravi Shankar, as she is with more contemporary styles. 8 p.m. April 18, Baker-Baum Concert Hall, The Conrad, 7600 Fay Ave, La Jolla. $63-$90. (858) 459-3728. ljms.org

Bach Collegium: Henry Purcell’s King Arthur

Considered England’s finest baroque composer, Henry Purcell wrote music to John Dryden’s libretto, which follows Arthur efforts to rescue his abducted fiancé. Expect dramatic performances from the Ruben Valenzuela-conducted orchestra and its singers. 7:30 p.m. May 3, All Souls’ Episcopal Church, 1475 Catalina Blvd., Point Loma. 7:30 p.m. May 4, Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 3459 Manchester Ave., Cardiff. $15-$50. (619) 341-1726. bachcollegiumsd.org

Art of Élan: “On Dry Ground”

This season-concluding concert is inspired by Josef Albers’ 1963 painting from his “Homage to the Square” series. The program includes music by J.S. Bach and Francois Couperin, as well as by living composers Arvo Pärt, Kevin Puts and David Lang. 7 p.m. May 7. San Diego Museum of Art, 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park. $40-$50. (619) 692-2081. artofelan.org

San Diego Symphony: Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2

Much-praised Macedonian pianist Simon Trpceski joins frequent guest conductor Cristian Macelaru for the symphony’s finale weekend, featuring Rachmaninoff and Beethoven’s Eighth Symphony. Macelaru will also conduct Sean Shepherd’s new “Melt,” a lament for the gradual loss of glaciers. 8 p.m. May 24, 25; 2 p.m., May 26, Jacobs Music Center’s Copley Symphony Hall, 750 B St., downtown. $20-$100. (619) 235-0804. sandiegosymphony.org

Mainly Mozart Festival

The festival begins with “Mozart and the Mind,” an exploration of artistry within the autism spectrum. After that, music director Michael Francis will continue the festival’s six-year journey into Mozart’s personal and professional history. This fourth year is entitled “Vienna, The Golden Years (Part I).” May 31-June 8, various venues and ticket prices. (619) 239-0100. mainlymozart.org

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