Giant, the 1956 epic fueled by Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson and James Dean, was based on an Edna Ferber novel that has inspired a musical with a book by Sybille Pearson, music and lyrics by Michael John LaChiusa. The world premiere production is at the Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington, Va., through May 31. For tickets, call 703-820-9771 or go to sig-online.org.
Mendelssohn's 'Elijah'
The bicentennial of Mendelssohn's birth gets another acknowledgment this weekend when the Chancel Choir of Brown Memorial Park Avenue Presbyterian Church performs his mighty oratorio Elijah. Making this particular presentation even more noteworthy is that the accompaniment will be provided by one of the country's most distinguished organists, Frederick Swann.
The performance, conducted by John Walker, will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 17, at 3 p.m. at Brown Memorial, 1316 Park Ave. Tickets are $15. Call 410-523-1542.
American modernist
The summer season at the Walters Art Museum will include the exhibition Herman Maril: An American Modernist. Last year marked the centennial of the Baltimore-born, MICA-trained Maril, who died here in 1986. He spent several years in the early part of his career as a WPA artist, attracting the attention of Eleanor Roosevelt, and he was championed by Duncan Phillips, founder of the Phillips Collection in Washington, which houses several Maril works.
The exhibit of 23 pieces - seascapes, landscapes, still lifes - will include items painted in Baltimore and Cape Cod. The display opens June 28 and runs through Aug. 30.
Meanwhile, don't forget The Saint John's Bible: A Modern Vision through Medieval Methods, which closes at the museum May 24. To mark the closing, Pro Musica Rara will give a concert featuring the Mystery Sonatas by Heinrich Biber for violin, cello and harpsichord. The performance is at 3 p.m. May 24, Tickets are $30 and $45.
For more information on these and other events at the Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St., call 410-547-9000 or go to thewalters.org.
Editor's note
The Clef Notes column is now Arts Scene. Every Tuesday, critic Tim Smith will write about the best of Baltimore's arts scene, from the BSO to the BMA.
