This spring, chart-topping artists and dramatic orchestral productions share the city’s musical stages. Whether you prefer rock ‘n’ roll, R&B, classical music or anything in between, you’re sure to find something to please your ears.
—Heather Corcoran
Listings
Gilberto Gil, the godfather of the Brazilian Tropicália movement lights up Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage with “Luminoso,” unplugged versions of his famous sound. March 20. carnegiehall.org
Celebrate Elton John’s 60th Birthday when the pop superstar comes to Madison Square Garden on March 25. The performance promises to include some of the hits that made Sir Elton a superstar. thegarden.com
Woody Allen plays the clarinet with the Eddy Davis band, Mondays through June at Café Carlyle. thecarlyle.com
The influential glam rock legends Iggy Pop and the Stooges return to New York April 9 at the United Palace. bowerypresents.com
Blues songstress Anya Singleton plays the Bitter End, a show sure to be packed with devotees from the city’s jazz club scene, where the singer is already a hit. bitterend.com
After the success of his 12th solo album, “Some Enchanted Evening,” New York native Art Garfunkel adds his personal touch to the 20th-century standards of Rodgers & Hammerstein, Irving Berlin, Harold Arlen, Antonio Carlos Jobim and George Gershwin for Jazz at Lincoln Center. April 13-14. lincolncenter.org
Julliard grad Norah Jones plays the Theater at Madison Square Garden, hot on the heels of her third album, “Not Too Late.” The album is a departure from her earlier work, with Jones writing all her own material. April 18. thegarden.com
Artists International presents the Elision Sax Quartet Sunday April 22, at the Kaufman Center’s Merkin Concert Hall. kaufman-center.org
Winner of this year’s Brit Award for Breakthrough Artist, the cheeky Scotts of The Fratellis come to New York for their first show in the city, at the Mercury Lounge April 22-23. mercuryloungenyc.com
Britpop legend and former Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker has gone solo. And the witty lyricist, storyteller and singer performs Webster Hall April 22-23. bowerypresents.com
A favorite at this year’s Grammy Awards, singer-songwriter John Legend plays the Theater at Madison Square Garden with British crooner Corinne Bailey Rae on April 23. thegarden.com
Violin virtuoso Anne-Sophie Mutter plays selections from Beethoven, Stravinsky and others with the New York Philharmonic at Lincoln Center. April 25-28. nyphil.org.
The New York Symphony Orchestra plays its annual Spring Concert at the Kaufman Center’s Merkin Hall, April 8. kaufman-center.org
The Japanese-Italian trio of Blonde Redhead plays their adopted hometown May 8 at Webster Hall one month after the release of their anticipated album “23.” bowerypresents.com
Connor Oberst and his quintessential indie rock band Bright Eyes play the Town Hall for a week of shows from May 25-June 1. The band’s seventh studio album, “Cassadaga” is slated for release in April. the-townhall-nyc.org
At 24, pianist Lang Lang is already a star. He plays Beethoven’s “Emperor Concerto” with the New York Philharmonic at Lincoln Center. June 7-12. nyphil.org.
Put on your dancing shoes for “Midsummer Night Swing,” the nightly dance party at Lincoln Center’s Josie Robertson Plaza. The fun starts June 19, for 25 nights that blend salsa, disco, funk and, of course, swing. lincolncenter.org
SPOTLIGHT
Video artist Bill Viola joins forces with Peter Sellars and the Los Angeles Philharmonic for this presentation of “Tristan and Isolde,” Richard Wagner’s romantic masterpiece. Part of the Great Performers series, this epic tour de force is nearly five hours of magic. May 2 and 5 at Avery Fisher Hall. lincolncenter.org
Photo: A video by acclaimed artist Bill Viola accompanies the epic Tristan Project. Photo by Craig Matthews/Matthews Imaging
