The chorus of the prince's servants is likewise turned into a tiresome, mincing, flouncing flock. These particular choristers might carry it off if they were better actors (and more solid singers).
Conductor Philip Lauriat has a knack for propulsion. The small orchestra is likely to gain in cohesiveness as the run continues. Joseph Gascho is the excellent harpsichordist for the recitatives.
"Cinderella" will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Saturday at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 811 Cathedral St. Tickets are $33 to $75. Call 410-547-7997 or go to operavivente.org.
Bequests to MICA, MAP
Grace Hartigan, the late abstract expressionist and longtime director of the Maryland Institute College of Art's Hoffberger School of Painting, left a bequest of artwork valued at more than $1 million to MICA and the Maryland Art Place.
The gift to MICA includes a dozen oil and linen pieces painted between 1987 and 2004 by Hartigan, who died in November 2008 at the age of 86. She was associated with the institute for more than 40 years.
A committee will consider how the bequest should best be used. Hartigan "hoped the paintings would benefit the students through scholarships," MICA faculty member Rex Stevens said in a statement released Monday.
Hartigan also was a supporter of MAP, which has exhibited many artists who studied with her. MAP received five paintings as part of the bequest. Cathy Byrd, MAP's executive director, indicated that the gift would help fund future projects.
Guitar duo of twin brothers
The Baltimore Classical Guitar Society, which has enriched the local music scene for two decades, opens its 2009-2010 season this weekend with a concert by the Katona Twins. Hungarian-born Peter and Zolt?n Katona form a guitar duo that has won several substantial prizes and awards over the past decade or so during an extensive international career.
The twins will perform works by Vivaldi, Mozart, Villa-Lobos and Piazzolla, among others, at 8 p.m. Saturday at Towson University's Center for the Arts, Osler and Cross Campus drives. Tickets are $25 and $30. Call 410-247-5320 or go to bcgs.org.
