Mozart's youthful masterpiece
Mozart's first great opera, "Idomeneo," is performed far less frequently than his mature comedies, perhaps due to the serious subject matter. And that's a pity — because "Idomeneo" contains some of Mozart's most intensely emotional music. Its setting, just after the Trojan War, seems remote, but the plot's mix of political intrigue, personal relationships and moral dilemmas has strong contemporary resonance. University of Minnesota Opera Theatre presents this rare opportunity to see Mozart's youthful masterpiece. (7:30 p.m. Thu.-Sat., 1:30 p.m. Sun., Ted Mann Concert Hall, University of Minnesota, Mpls., $5-$25, 612-624-2345, tickets.umn.edu)
From Scandinavia to Jupiter
Pekka Kuusisto, the live-wire Finnish violinist, is back in town for a concert with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. The program includes the U.S. premiere of Swedish composer Anders Hillborg's "Bach Materia" for violin and strings, a piece modeled on Bach's third "Brandenburg" concerto. Then Kuusisto takes the concertmaster's chair to lead the orchestra in Mozart's magisterial last symphony, the "Jupiter." (7:30 p.m. Tue., Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Apple Valley; 11 a.m. & 8 p.m. Fri., Wooddale Church, Eden Prairie; 8 p.m. Sat., St. Paul's United Church of Christ, St. Paul; 3 p.m. Sun., St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, Mahtomedi, $11-$26, 651-291-1144, thespco.org) While he's in town, Kuusisto also squeezes in a recital at the Turf Club, playing duets with SPCO bassist Zachary Cohen. (7:30 p.m. Wed., Turf Club, St. Paul, $20, etix.com)
'Basically Beethoven'
St. Paul's Artaria String Quartet continues its Basically Beethoven series exploring the composer's string quartets. The concert pairs Beethoven's Third "Razumovsky" Quartet with the last of Haydn's 67 completed string quartets. (3 p.m. Sun., 7:30 p.m. next Mon., Sundin Music Hall, Hamline University, St. Paul, $20, artariaquartet.com)
Chamber music by the Isles
The Isles Ensemble launches its new season with Beethoven's evergreen "Archduke" trio, led by Minnesota Orchestra violinist Joanne Opgenorth. The chamber group also features Rachmaninoff's rhapsodic Cello Sonata, with Laura Sewell as soloist, and Three Madrigals for Violin and Viola by Czech composer Bohuslav Martinů. (2 p.m. Sun., Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church, Mpls.; suggested donation $10-$20, islesensemble.org)
Microbrews, micro-recital
The Minnesota Orchestra's thirst-quenching Pint of Music initiative sends a quintet of brass players to the Able Seedhouse + Brewery for a cozy concert. (7:30 p.m. Thu., Able Seedhouse + Brewery, Mpls.; free, minnesotaorchestra.org)
TERRY BLAIN
