The Art of The Con
The Mark Twain House & Museum presents an evening with author Anthony M. Amore discussing his new book, The Art of the Con: The Most Notorious Fakes, Frauds, and Forgeries in the Art World, on January 27 at the Mark Twain House and Museum. The event is free.
The Art of the Con tells the stories of some of history’s most notorious yet untold cons. They involve stolen art hidden for decades; elaborate ruses that involve the Nazis and allegedly plundered art; the theft of a conceptual prototype from a well-known artist by his assistant to be used later to create copies; the use of online and television auction sites to scam buyers out of millions; and other confidence scams incredible not only for their boldness but more so because they actually worked. Using interviews and newly released court documents, The Art of the Con will also take the reader into the investigations that led to the capture of the con men, who oftentimes return back to the world of crime. For some, it’s an irresistible urge because their innocent dupes all share something in common: they want to believe.
For details: 860- 247-0998 or www.marktwainhouse.org
Battle of the Batons Finalists Named
Here’s your opportunity to hear, see and play your part in the selection of the new Hartford Symphony Orchestra Assistant Conductor! Hartford Symphony Orchestra’s Battle of the Batons (January 21-24 at The Bushnell), showcases the talents of the three finalists as they conduct popular, yet chalenging classical works with the members of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra.The finalists are: Adam Kerry Boyles of Boston, Andrew Crust ofMontréal, Canada, and Patrick Valentino of Salem. The concerts will also showcase HSO musicians Edward R. Rozie, Jr. on the double bass, Robert McEwan on vibraphone, and Leonid Sigal on violin. After the concert, audience members will have the chance to vote on their favorite candidate!
Adam Kerry Boyles is a notable figure in the musical life of the Boston area. Boyles is currently Director of Orchestras at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Music Director of the Brookline Symphony Orchestra. Previous Music Director positions include three seasons with the Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra, five seasons with Opera in the Ozarks, and five seasons with MetroWest Opera. Mr. Boyles served on the faculty at The University of Texas at Austin and The University of Arizona.
Andrew Crust is a North American conductor based in Montréal and Colorado. His recent conducting positions include Cover Conductor of the Kansas City Symphony, Assistant/Cover Conductor of the Boulder Philharmonic, Music Director of the CU-Boulder Campus Orchestra, Assistant Conductor of Opera McGill, and Assistant Conductor of the CU-Boulder Symphony and Chamber Orchestra. He is in the final stages of a doctorate at the University of Colorado-Boulder in orchestral conducting with academic emphasis on Brahms performance practice.
Patrick Valentino currently serves as Artistic Director of the Boston New Music Initiative, an innovative organization that pairs the traditional concert season of a professional performing ensemble with the networking possibilities of an international collective of composers and performers. He is also the Music Director at St. Mary Star of the Sea Parish, where he leads the renowned choir from the newly restored 1915 Hook-Hastings organ, and is the Founder and Director of the Stella Concert Series.
For details: 860-987-5900 or www.hartfordsymphony.org
Plan Ahead…
Larry Kramer, the controversial award-winning playwright (The Normal Heart), author, and activist, will talk about his career and his writing at a special reading and booksigning on February 6 at the Mark Twain House and Museum in Hartford. Advance tickets are required. For details: For details: 860- 247-0998 or www.marktwainhouse.org
Stayin’ Alive Since 1975. The UMass Fine Arts Center celebrates its 40th anniversary on February 6, at a dazzling disco era evening of food, song and dance at the Campus Center Auditorium at UMass/Amherst. Fever provides the music, and guests are asked to dress festive best or disco glam. Proceeds benefit the Fine Arts Center’s Arts/Access Programs. For details: 413-545-2511, 800-999-UMASS or https://fac.umass.edu/Online/default.asp?BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::permalink=gala
Of Note
Kevin Rhodes, Springfield Symphony Maestro, is conducting a triple bill of contemporary ballets at the distinguished Stuttgart Ballet in Germany. The program showcases works by William Forsythe, Marco Goeke, and Uwe Scholz, all choreographers who have won acclaim creating new works for the German ballet troupe. The program debuts on January 29. For details: http://www.stuttgart-ballet.de/schedule/
Keep in Mind…
Pioneer Valley Jazz Shares presents:ROVA Saxophone Quartet with Larry Ochs, tenor and soprano sax; Bruce Ackley, soprano and tenor sax; Jon Raskin, baritone, alto and soprano sax; Steve Adams, alto and soprano sax on January 26 at 121 Club, Eastworks, in Easthampton, MA. For details about this program and the work Pioneer Valley Jazz Shares is doing around the Valley: www.jazzshares.org. Tickets should be available at the door.
Mark G. Auerbach studied theatre at American University and the Yale School of Drama. He’s worked for arts organizations and reported on theatre for newspapers and radio.
