Metropolitan Museum of Art Announces December Performances

MetLiveArts: December Performances

Boubacar Traoré

Friday, Dec. 2, 2016, 7:00 pm, The Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium

In year three of our deep exploration of contemporary Mali, we hear from a legendary Malian superstar, a master singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Boubacar (aka "Kar Kar") rose to fame in the '60s with his blend of blues and Malian and Arabic music. Renown did not lead to riches, and following a 1968 coup, Boubacar dropped out of sight. Personal tragedy led him to move to France, where eventually he was rediscovered. His 1990 album Mariama finally put him back on the international stage. This is a rare opportunity to see this elusive genius.

Tickets start at $50.

Presented in collaboration with World Music Institute.

Al-Quds: Jerusalem (World Premiere)

Friday, Dec. 9, 2016, 7:00 pm, The Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium

Mohammed Fairouz, composer

Andrew Cyr, conductor

Eve Gigliotti, soprano

Ian Rosenbaum, solo percussion

Naomi Shihab Nye, poetry

Metropolis Ensemble

Jerusalem is often described as a city of three faiths, but that vastly underestimates its multilayered complexity. History records harmonious and dissonant voices of people from many lands, passing in the narro streets of a city not much larger than Midtown Manhattan. In conjunction with the exhibition Jerusalem 1000-1400: Every People Under Heaven, MetLiveArts commissioned composer Mohammed Fairouz and poet Naomi Shihab Nye to respond to some of these voices by creating a new song cycle for mezzo-soprano, strings, and percussion. The Grammy-nominated Metropolis Ensemble (led by conductor Andrew Cyr) and mezzo-soprano soloist Eve Gigiliotti will perform the world premiere.

Fairouz's new work will be "embraced" by two works: O Jerusalem by Hildegard von Bingen, performed by Martha Cluver, soprano; Jacqueline Horner-Kwiatek, mezzo-
soprano; and Eliza Bagg, soprano; and antiphonal Byzantine hymns performed by the Axion Estin Foundation's psaltes (cantors)-hymns and psalms including Acts of the Apostles (Acts 2:5-11), from which the exhibition is taking its name. These two book-end performances highlight the different notions of Jerusalem-from the literal destination to the metaphysical and spiritual.

Tickets start at $65.

Max and Alan

Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016, 7:00 pm, The Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium

Alan Cumming, Tony Award-winning actor

A tycoon, a trapeze artist, a nightclub owner, a sailor-German Expressionist Max Beckmann saw himself as an actor on the stage of life and often painted himself in disguise. Alan Cumming has created this personal musical work drawing on his own experience as an émigré to New York, channeling Beckmann, an artist who fled his native land after he was famously denounced as a "degenerate" by the Nazis. Beckmann died just 16 months after arriving in New York, suffering a fatal heart attack while on his way to The Met. This MetLiveArts commission is inspired by the artist's all-too-brief time in New York, and is created in conjunction with the exhibition Max Beckmann in New York, on view Oct. 19, 2016-Feb. 20, 2017.

Tickets start at $65. [Please note: this performance is sold out.]

The Christmas Story

Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 10 and 11, 2016, 1:00 and 3:00 pm, Fuentidueña Chapel at

The Met Cloisters

A Met holiday tradition for over 35 years. The Waverly Consort, under the direction of Michael Jaffee, returns to The Met Cloisters with this perennial favorite. Hymns, processionals, antiphons, and Mass compositions from the Middle Ages weave together for a compelling narrative of the biblical story. The 13-member vocal and instrumental ensemble creates a sonic pageantry of exceptional beauty for a deeply immersive experience of Christmastide.

Tickets start at $40.

MetLiveArts: December Performances

Byzantine Pop-Ups

Fridays, Dec. 9, 2016, 4:00 and 6:00 pm and Dec. 16, 2016, 4:00, 6:00, and 8:00 pm,

Medieval Sculpture Hall

In these magical and unexpected performances, you'll hear hymns and carols of the Byzantine Empire. Thrill to these antiphonal works, with the musicians alternating parts in multiple languages (ranging from Russian to Armenian to Greek to Arabic), weaving an evocative sonic tapestry from floor to balcony in the Medieval Sculpture Hall, graced as always in December by our exquisite Christmas tree.

Free with Museum admission.

Presented in collaboration with the Axion Estin Foundation.

The Snowman

Saturday, Dec.17, 2016, 11:00 am and 1:00 pm, The Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium

The Mannes Orchestra

David Hayes, Artistic Director

The Snowman is a delightful British holiday tradition: a mesmerizing animated film that tells the story of a little boy who builds a snowman; it comes to life, and the two travel to the North Pole and meet Santa Claus. This Academy Award-nominated classic features a lush score, performed live by The Mannes Orchestra, and a timeless song, "Walking in the Air."

Tickets start at $40.

Bring the Kids tickets are not available for this performance.

The Play of Adam (World Premiere)

Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 17 and 18, 2016, 1:00 and 3:00 pm, Fuentidueña Chapel at

The Met Cloisters

The first fully staged production of the Old French Play of Adam in a lively new English translation. Adam-the oldest medieval drama in any language-begins in the Garden of Eden and ends with the expectation of Christmas, comically and poignantly updating the story of humanity's fall and redemption for a secular urban audience. A holiday play for all ages, the work is beautifully framed by the festive floral decorations of the season and accompanied by medieval music.

Tickets start at $65.

Apollo's Fire-Handel's Messiah

Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, 1:00 pm "pocket" Messiah and 3:00 pm Handel's Messiah (full oratorio), The Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium

MetLiveArts: December Performances

The ultimate holiday tradition, with a twist. Choose Handel's famous oratorio in its full version, or an hour-long "pocket" Messiah version, which features selections from the full Messiah including the "Christmas" portion plus the Hallelujah Chorus. The thrilling and charismatic Apollo's Fire-the Cleveland-based period instrument group-has been collecting rave reviews since its inception and has performed sold-out concerts at The Met.

Tickets start at $40 for "pocket" Messiah; $65 for Handel's Messiah (full oratorio).

Bring the Kids tickets are not available for the "pocket" Messiah.

American Boychoir

Monday, Dec. 19, 2016, 7:00 pm, The Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium

They've performed for every U.S. President since John F. Kennedy. America's favorite boy singers provide a delightful program of holiday hymns and carols. These matchless choristers embody the pure spirit of Christmas music.

Tickets start at $65.

Little Match Girl Passion

Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2016, 7:00 pm, Lobby of The Met Breuer

Directed by Rachel Chavkin (Broadway's Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812).

Performed by Ekmeles.

This season, David Lang's classic holiday masterpiece is staged as a theatrical production by Rachel Chavkin, "one of the most gifted working today" (New York Times), with the vocal ensemble Ekmeles performing Lang's stunning and poignant score along with actors and silent observers. This immersive, site-specific performance in the Lobby of The Met Breuer will reimagine Hans Christian Anderson's chilling story of the poor little match girl who dies in the cold while wealthy neighbors rush home to feasts and family.

Tickets start at $65.

Flemish Holiday with Friends and Family

Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2016, 7:00 pm, The Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium

Leonora Duarte was one of the most brilliant composers of her time. Yet in spite of her talent and her family's prominence (friends of Vermeer and possibly Rubens, prominent merchants and art collectors), she received no commissions from church or court due to an insurmountable double whammy: she was both a Jew and a woman. In this holiday MetLiveArts: December Performances program, the ensemble Sonnambula re-creates a festive evening at the Duarte household with music by Leonora, as well as friends and fellow musicians.

Tickets start at $65.

Lorelei Ensemble

Thursday, Dec. 22, 2016, 6:30 pm (Members only) and 8:30 pm, Medieval Sculpture Hall Traditionally, the Lorelei were sirens who lured sailors to their doom. These Lorelei will elevate your spirit with their incredibly beautiful, pristine voices. This Boston-based grou presents the best in vocal ensemble singing. They weave a gorgeous tapestry of repertoire spanning the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque eras, along with newly commissioned gems.

Tickets start at $65. The 6:30 pm performance is for Members only. Please call 212 570 3753 for details on becoming a Member of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

PUBLIQuartet & Friends

Friday, Dec. 23, 2016, 7:00 pm, Vélez Blanco Patio

Our Quartet in Residence celebrates the warmth of the holidays with Bach, Britten, and family. Violinist Jannina Norpoth's father, Detroit jazz guitarist A. Spencer Barefield, and Grammy-nominated tuba player Bob Stewart, violinist Curtis Stewart's father, join the quartet for seasonal favorites and some surprises.

Tickets start at $65. [Please note: limited tickets remaining]

PUBLIQuartet is the 2016-17 Quartet in Residence.

For tickets and information, visit www.metmuseum.org/tickets or call 212-570-

3949. Tickets are also available at the Great Hall Box Office, which is open Monday-
Saturday, 11 am-3:30 pm

Tickets include admission to the Museum on day of performance.

Prices are subject to change.

Bring the Kids for $1 tickets for children (ages 7-16) are available for all performances (unless specifically noted) when accompanied by an adult with a full-price ticket. Fo more information, visit www.metmuseum.org/tickets, call 212-570-3949, or visit the box office.

About MetLiveArts

The critically acclaimed performance series at The Metropolitan Museum of Art commissions and presents contemporary performance through the lens of the Museum's exhibitions and gallery spaces. MetLiveArts invites artists, performers, curators, and thought-leaders to create groundbreaking new work, including live and digital performances, as well as site-specific durational performances that have been named some of the most "memorable" and "best of" performances in New York City by the New York Times, New Yorker, and Broadway World.