Brandi Carlile, PIRATES OF PENZANCE, and More Set for Wolf Trap, 6/26-30

Wolf Trap will feature the Latin Dance Company Ballet Hispanico; Contemporary Jazz Hits from Norah Jones and Sasha Dobson; Americana singers/songwriters Brandi Carlile, Josh Ritter and The Lumineers; and the Comedic Opera Pirates of Penzance from the New YorK Gilbert & Sullivan Players, between June 26th and 30th.

Performances include:

Ballet Hispanico

Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at 8:30pm, $40 in-house, $4 lawn

The foremost dance representative of Hispanic culture in the United States, Ballet Hispanico brings a unique mixture of Latin, classical, and contemporary dance back to Wolf Trap. Since their last performance in 2002, the company has undergone many changes. Ballet Hispanico now boasts a roster of 12 new company dancers, and Eduardo Vilaro—a former member, educator, and choreographer with Ballet Hispanic since 1985—became the new artistic director in 2009. This vibrant performance will feature an all-Cuban program including Guajira, celebrating the women of the Cuban countryside with music and movement harking back to Africa and to Spain; Asuka, a celebration of the music of Celia Cruz and Eduardo Vilaro’s first work for Ballet Hispanico; and Club Havana, a fan favorite that features the intoxicating rhythms of the Conga, Rumba, Mambo, and Cha Cha.

Norah Jones with Special Guest Sasha Dobson

Wednesday, June 27, 2012 at 8pm, $50 in-house, $30 lawn

GRAMMY Award-winning jazz pianist/vocalist Norah Jones returns to Wolf Trap after her last appearance at the Filene Center in 2003 alongside Gillian Welch. Jones’s recent album releases, …Featuring Norah Jones (2010) and Little Broken Hearts (2012), showcase her versatility, innovation, and continued relevance as a jazz/pop mainstay. Jones debuted on the jazz scene in 2002 with the album Come Away with Me, which went multiplatinum and earned her eight GRAMMY Awards. Hoping to broaden her creative output, Jones went on to form the Little Willies in 2003, an ensemble band performing covers of country classics. Their most recent album, For The Good Times, was released earlier this year featuring covers from a variety of country legends, including Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Dolly Parton, and Loretta Lynn.

Sasha Dobson

A professional Jazz singer by 16, jazz vocalist Sasha Dobson joins Norah Jones for an evening of contemporary jazz music underneath the stars at Wolf Trap. Dobson made her recording debut in 2006 with Modern Romance, a mixture of contemporary jazz with folk undertones. A friend of and frequent collaborator with Jones, Dobson was featured on Jones’s 2010 album …Featuring Norah Jones during the song “Bull Rider” and appeared as part of her 2010 The Fall tour.

Brandi Carlile, Josh Ritter & The Royal City Band with Special Guests The Lumineers

Thursday, June 28, 2012 at 7pm, $ 40 in-house, $30 lawn

Americana singer/songwriter Brandi Carlile first gained recognition for her unique vocal style made famous by her 2007 single “The Story.” The tune became a mainstream hit for Carlile, appearing in promotions for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics and General Motors. Since the success of her album of the same name, Carlile has released three more albums, 2009’s Give up the Ghost, featuring a collaboration with Elton John, 2011’s Live at Benaroya Hall with the Seattle Symphony, which reached No. 14 on Billboard’s Top Rock Albums, and 2012’s Bear Creek. She returns to Wolf Trap for the first time since her debut in 2008 along with Josh Ritter and special guests The Lumineers. Known for her unique blend of country, soul, and rock n’ roll, Carlile draws a wide variety of music lovers to her memorable live shows.

Josh Ritter’s smooth folk vocals and poetic lyrics have gained him strong industry credibility on the Americana music scene since his debut in 1999. Ritter has since released seven studio albums, including his 2010 release, So Runs the World Away, which reached No. 7 on Billboard’s Top Independent Albums. Making his debut at Wolf Trap, Ritter will perform alongside The Royal City Band to help bolster his more stripped down acoustic style. Ritter has managed to gain mainstream attention as several of his songs have appeared in popular television shows such as Parenthood, Grey’s Anatomy, and True Blood. A multifaceted talent, Ritter released his first novel, Bright Passages, and six-song EP Bring In The Darlings earlier this year.

A burgeoning Americana trio, The Lumineers combines traditional folk music with bluegrass and pop to create a unique genre in the style of The Avett Brothers. Starting out as a duo in New York City, childhood friends Wesley Schultz and Jeremiah Fraites moved to Denver, Colorado where they met up with cellist Neyla Pekarek. Pekarek added a softer touch to the duo’s gritty lyrics with her skillful playing of the cello, piano, and mandolin. The trio released their eponymous debut album this year and began a nationwide tour, gaining praise and popularity along the way.

The Pirates of Penzance: New YorK Gilbert & Sullivan Players

Friday June 29, 2012 at 8pm & Saturday, June 30, 2012 at 8pm, Tickets: $12-$50

A comedic opera penned by W.S Gilbert and Albert Sullivan, The Pirates of Penzance has been delighting audiences since its premiere on Dec. 31, 1879 in New York City at the Fifth Avenue Theater. Performing at Wolf Trap annually since 1995, the New YorK Gilbert & Sullivan Players last performed The Pirates of Penzance at Wolf Trap in 2009. The story focuses on a young man, Fredrick, who was mistakenly apprenticed to pirates until the age of 21. Through a series of mishaps and misunderstandings, Fredrick learns that finishing his pirate duty may not be so easy. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Albert Bergeret, the G&S players remain true to the original Pirates of Penzance while adding their own delightful twist.

Tickets can be purchased by calling 1 (877) WOLFTRAP; or online at www.wolftrap.org.

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