Month: April 2009

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Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

Exhilarating and endlessly inspirational, the extraordinary dancers of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater have dazzled audiences from New York City to China with their thrilling fusion of power, grace, and unparalleled artistry. The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater marks its 50th anniversary by bringing African-American cultural expression and the American modern dance tradition to the Fine Arts Center. The genius of Alvin Ailey forever changed the perception of American dance; the legacy continues in Judith Jamison’s remarkable vision and the extraordinary artistry of the Company’s dancers. Beauty, spirit, hope, and passion: this is the power of Ailey.

Wednesday, May 13
Concert Hall 7:30 pm
$50, $40, $20

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Toumani Diabaté Symmetric Orchestra

Described as the “Jimi Hendrix of the kora,” Toumani Diabaté is an ardent experimentalist, enriching his intimate sound with the Symmetric Orchestra’s powerful, multilayered grooves. Diabaté is a master of the kora—the 21-string harp unique to Africa. The Symmetric Orchestra, Diabaté’s terrific pan-African band, includes musicians from Senegal, Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, and Mali. All contribute to a buoyantly jubilant sound that will rock the Fine Arts Center. Join in the party spirit! Funded in part by the Expeditions program of the New England Foundation for the Arts, made possible with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts Regional Touring Program and the American Masterpieces initiative, with additional support from the six New England state arts agencies.

Toumani Diabate
Music Samples

Thursday, April 23
Concert Hall 7:30 pm
$30, $25, $15; Five College Students and Youth 17 and under $15

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National Philharmonic of Russia

The members of this orchestra set a new standard in Russia’s tradition of symphonic mastery. Composed of the country’s leading symphonic virtuosos and led by the electrifying conductor and violinist Vladimir Spivakov, the National Philharmonic of Russia has quickly established itself as the finest and most exciting orchestra to emerge from Russia in many years. Their UMass Amherst program includes the Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 2 and Romeo and Juliet, Liadov’s The Enchanted Lake, and Prokofiev’s Four Pieces from Romeo and Juliet Suites.

National Philharmonic Orchestra
Music Samples

Sunday, April 19
Concert Hall 7:00 pm
$45, $35, $15; Five College Students and Youth 17 and under $15