classical

Schumann Symphony Spectacular: Musical Journeys (SSO)
Conducted by Lim Yau with Lim Yan on the piano, the evening’s program will see a performance of Mahler’s Songs of a Wayfarer as well as Schumann’s ode to Spring–Symphony No. 1 in B-flat major, and local composer Kelly Tang’s Concerto for Piano & Orchestra. The concert will also feature mezzo-soprano Rebecca Chellappah. Feb 11, 7:30pm. Esplanade Concert Hall, 1 Esplanade Dr., 6828-8377. $11-75 from Sistic.

An Evening of Bach with Heinrich Walther
The acclaimed German organist will be performing a program of Bach favorites, including Prelude and Fugue in D major, Allein Gott in der Hoh sei Ehr, Prelude and Fugue in E minor and Trio Sonata in C major. There will also be a pre-concert talk at 7:15pm. Feb 23, 8pm. Victoria Concert Hall, 11 Empress Place. $15 from Sistic.

Soiree 2010
Harmonica enthusiasts—don’t miss this joyous concert presented by the NUS Harmonica Orchestra. Highlights from the program include Bacchanale, Voices of Spring, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik and Celebration Dance. Acclaimed Japanese harmonica soloist Yasuo Watani will also be performing as a guest. Feb 26, 7:30pm. Victoria Concert Hall, 11 Empress Place. $12-15.

Konstantin Shamray in Concert
The Russian performer made waves when he became the only pianist to win both the First Prize and People’s Choice award at the 2008 Sydney International Piano Competition. Konstantin will be in town for a one-night only concert and will be performing works by Bach, Beethoven, Scriabin and Prokofiev. For tickets, please call 6516-2492 or visit www.nus.edu.sg/cfa. Feb 28, 8pm. University Cultural Centre Theatre, National University of Singapore, 50 Kent Ridge Crescent, 6516-2492. Free.

concerts

Glenn Fredly Lovevolution—A Musical Journey from the Romantic Singer
The award-winning Indonesian R&B singer-songwriter, famous for hits such as “Cukup Sudah,” “Januari,” “Kasih Putih” and “Happy Sunday,” will be in town to promote his latest album, Lovevolution. Feb 6, 8pm. Esplanade Theatre, 1 Esplanade Dr., 6828-8222. $30-180 from Sistic.

Florence + The Machine + The xx
Double bill featuring the bluesy electro-pop darlings fronted by Florence Welch and hot new Brits on the block, The xx. Tickets are less than a hundred bucks each—better snap them up fast. Feb 7, 8pm. Esplanade Theatre, 1 Esplanade Dr., 6828-8222. $55-80 from Sistic.

Sam Hui CNY Concert Live in Singapore!
Sam Hui puts many people in their 20’s to shame with his boundless energy and enthusiasm. Back in just time for the Lunar New Year, the Hong Kong screen legend will not only be performing all his biggest hits, he’ll also be joined by his brother Ricky on stage. Feb 19, 8pm. Singapore Indoor Stadium, 2 Stadium Walk, 6344-2660. $78-168 from Sistic.

in::music–Sandee Chan
Winner of the Best Female Singer award for her self-produced album What If It Matters at last year’s Golden Melody Awards in Taipei, the popular Taiwanese singer-songwriter will be bringing her infectious brand of folk, pop and electronic music to the Esplanade as part of the 2010 Huayi Chinese Festival of Arts. Feb 20, 7:30pm. Esplanade Concert Hall, 1 Esplanade Dr., 6828-8377. $45-85 from Sistic.

Voices from the Gramaphone
Relive the Golden Gramaphone era of the ‘30s to the ‘60s in this series of live concerts. Featuring a lineup of top musicians and vocalists, the Voices From The Gramaphone 2010 season will feature songs by the “Great Singing Stars”: Bai Guang, Bai Hong, Gong Qiuxia, Li Xiang Lan, Wu Yingyin, Yao Li and Zhou Xuan. Feb 25-27, 7:30pm; Feb 25-27, 9:30pm; Mar 18-20, 7:30pm; Mar 18-20, 9:30pm. The Hall, The Arts House, 2/F, 1 Old Parliament Lane, 6332-6900. $65-70 from The Arts House box office.

Dream of the Red Chamber (Yue Opera in Concert)
It’s going to be a star-studded evening as Yue Opera star Zhao Zhi Gang flies into town to perform arias from the Chinese classic Dream of the Red Chamber. Accompanying him will be the Victoria chorale, opera artists Fang Ya Fen and Sun Yong Qing, as well as the Singapore Chinese Orchestra led by maestro Tsung Yeh. Feb 27, 7:30pm. Esplanade Concert Hall, 1 Esplanade Dr., 6828-8377. $38-68 from Sistic.

Backstreet Boys Live in Singapore
Oh god, was it only yesterday that we were bopping our heads along to “Everybody” and “Larger Than Life”? Nick Carter and his homies are back to remind us all of the importance of picking a band name that allows you to age gracefully. Expect a set list of their past hits as well as songs from their latest album, This Is Us. Feb 28, 8pm. Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre, 1 Raffles Blvd. $68-148 from Sistic.

gigs

+65 Indie Underground Gig
You’ve bought the CD, now here’s your chance to see your favorite songs performed live! Taking to the stage is TypeWriter and the two latest bands to hit the local indie scene–Interlude and Shelves. Feb 5, 7:30pm. Esplanade Outdoor Theatre, 1 Esplanade Dr., 6828-8222. Free.

Black + White
Local band Night Sound will be taking to the stage for a final showcase on a journey that’s spanned 10 years and produced seven albums before it takes a break from the scene. Feb 6, 7pm. Play Den, The Arts House, 1 Parliamnent Lane, 6332-6900. $38 from The Arts House box office.

Birds of Paradise
Featuring South Korean-born soprano Jeong Ae-Ree and local pianist Shane Thio, this recital will see the performance of works such as Kurt Weill’s “Youkali” and “Surabaya Johnny,” Aaron Copland’s “Why Do They Shut Me Out of Heaven?” and Reynaldo Hahn’s “A Chloris.” Feb 12, 7:30pm. Esplanade Recital Studio, 1 Esplanade Dr., 6828-8377. $32 from Sistic.

in::music–cosmos people
You can always count on this cheeky Taiwanese quartet to deliver a fun-filled performance with their irreverent brand of rock, funk, disco and Mandopop numbers. Part of the 2010 Huayi Chinese Festival of Arts. Feb 21, 3pm. Esplanade Recital Studio, 1 Esplanade Dr., 6828-8377. $25 from Sistic.

musicals

Re:Kindle Love
Love is found, lost, regained and destroyed (though not necessarily in that order) in this story about a young man and the three women he meets. But this is no Qiong Yao-inspired weep fest. Rather, it is a celebration of hope and optimism. Re:Kindle Love also has the distinction of being the first Mandarin Dinner Musical theatre experience in Singapore. Cast includes Emma Yong, Darius Tan and Trey Ho. Feb 5-7, 9-11, 8pm; Feb 12-14, 7pm. The Hall, The Arts House, 2/F, 1 Old Parliament Lane, 6332-6900. $48-250 from The Arts House box office.

opera

Peach Blossom Fan 1699
Set during the twilight years of the Ming Dynasty, this famous classic tells the love story of scholar Hou Fangyu and courtesan Li Xiangjun. Performed by the Jiangsu Province Kunqu Opera, this particular form of opera has been recognized by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage treasure. Feb 26-27, 8pm. Esplanade Theatre, 1 Esplanade Dr., 6828-8222. $35-95 from Sistic.

theater

Man and Woman, War and Peace
Featuring a star-studded cast, including Taiwanese idol Ariel Lin, actor David Wang and Cantopop star Denise Ho, Hong Kong director Edward Lam’s latest offering is a sharp, witty comedy about the blurring of gender lines and the love/hate relationship that men and women share. Part of the 2010 Huayi Chinese Festival of Arts. Feb 19-20, 8pm; Feb 20, 2:30pm. Esplanade Theatre, 1 Esplanade Dr., 6828-8222. $38-108 from Sistic.

K
Seven Singaporeans find themselves transformed into bug-like creatures. Inspired by Kafka’s absurdist short stories such as The Metamorphosis, this play explores the theme of dehumanization and promises to be truly bizarre. Directed by Peter Sau. Performed in Mandarin with English subtitles. Feb 20, 8:30pm; Feb 21, 2pm. Esplanade Theatre Studio, 1 Esplanade Dr. $30 from Sistic.

Daisy Pulls It Off
An affectionate look at life in a traditional girls’ boarding school (think pillow fights, girls in gymslips, and hockey matches), this exuberant comedy traces scholarship winner Daisy Meridith’s rite of passage as she overcomes the prejudices of the teachers and students at the posh Grangewood School for Girls. Feb 24-27, 7:30pm. DBS Arts Centre, 20 Merbau Rd. $32-37 from Sistic.