Mahler's Ninth by BSO a must-hear

classical music

Spring Arts Guide

April 19: : The bicentennial of Mendelssohn's birth will be celebrated by Pro Musica Rara with his Octet, a lyrical feast for strings performed on period instruments by some of the ensemble's best players, who will also dig into some Bach. Towson University's Center for the Arts, Osler and Cross Campus drives. Admission fee. 410-728-2820 or promusicarara.org.

April 30: : Exceptional mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter will join violinist Daniel Hope and pianist Bengt Forsberg for a poignant program of music by composers who were interned at Theresienstadt, a holding ground for Auschwitz. Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. Admission fee. 301-581-5100, strathmore.org.

May 1-9: : The demise of the Baltimore Opera Company makes the city's smaller operatic ensembles more valuable than ever. A case in point is Opera Vivente, which presents a new production of Britten's gentle comedy Albert Herring, starring tenor Adam Caughey. Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 801 Cathedral St. Admission fee. 410-547-7997 or operavivente.org.

May 3: : The fine Handel Choir of Baltimore and its orchestra of period instruments, conducted by Melinda O'Neal, will mark the 200th anniversary of Haydn's death with a performance of his compelling Mass in Time of War. Towson United Methodist Church, 501 Hampton Lane. Admission fee. 800-838-3006 or handelchoir.org.

May 6: : Mobtown Modern, the cooler-than-cool new music group, presents an ear-bending program of works by Edgard Varese and Frank Zappa, not to mention a piece by Alvin Lucier "for enormously amplified brain waves and percussion." Contemporary Museum, 100 W. Centre St. Admission fee. 410-783-5720 or mobtownmodern.com.

BUDGET CHOICE

Chamber Music by Candlelight, May 3:

Chamber Music by Candlelight is a valued series that features Baltimore Symphony players in a wide-ranging repertoire. This program includes works by Schumann, Brahms and BSO percussionist Brian Prechtl. Second Presbyterian Church, 4200 St. Paul St. Free. 443-759-3309 or communityconcertsatsecond.org.