Arts & Culture

Eric Woolsey*Hickordickory*From Tennessee Williams to Shepherd Mead and A.E. Hotchner, Washington University boasts a strong tradition of original drama. This year the Performing Arts Department (PAD) in Arts & Sciences will celebrate that tradition with four original plays by alumni, faculty and students. The series begins Sept. 29 to Oct. 8 with Hickorydickory, a playful, magical-realist-style work by recent alumnae Marisa Wegrzyn.

MacDonaldHugh Macdonald, the Avis H. Blewett Professor of Music in Arts & Sciences at Washington University, will speak on “What Did Bizet Write?” at 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22. Macdonald will serve as general editor for a proposed new edition of the works of Georges Bizet, a joint venture between French and German publishers.

Kellie Wells, Ph.D., and Kerri Webster, both writers-in-residence in the Writing Program in Arts & Sciences, will launch the fall Writing Program Reading Series at 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 7.

Courtesy photoInti-IllimaniInti-Illimani, the groundbreaking, eight-man Chilean ensemble that performs on 30 wind, string and percussion instruments, will make their St. Louis debut at Washington University in St. Louis. The special, one-night-only concert begins at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6, as part of the Edison Theatre OVATIONS! Series.

Mahalia celebrates the life and music of gospel great Mahalia Jackson (1911-72).

The program will focus on the music of two contrasting historical periods — the 18th-century Baroque and the early 20th century — through the work of composers representing the breadth of Europe.

Kellie Wells, Ph.D., and Kerri Webster, both writers-in-residence in the Writing Program in Arts & Sciences, will launch the fall Writing Program Reading Series at 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 7.

The event regularly serves as the unofficial kickoff to St. Louis’ professional dance season.

The Department of Music in Arts & Sciences will open its 2006-07 concert season at 8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 11, with a performance by the Washington University Chamber Orchestra. The program will focus on the music of two contrasting historical periods — the 18th-century Baroque and the early 20th century — through the work of composers representing the breadth of Europe.

MacDonaldHugh Macdonald, the Avis H. Blewett Professor of Music in Arts & Sciences, has prepared a performing edition of Fiesque (1866-68), a previously unperformed opera by French composer Eduardo Lalo (1823-1892). The piece will receive its world première July 27 at Le Festival de Radio France et Montpellier. His newly prepared score will be published later this year by Bärenreiter Editions.