Experience the vibrant and diverse cultural programming of the Lemann Center for Brazilian Studies! We are proud to curate a rich array of events that celebrate the arts and showcase the beauty and richness of Brazilian culture. Our past cultural programming has featured captivating opera performances that transport audiences to the world of melodious storytelling. We have also delighted music enthusiasts with mesmerizing jazz concerts that highlight the rhythmic fusion and improvisation of this beloved genre. These are just a glimpse of the diverse offerings we have presented. Stay tuned for our upcoming cultural events, as we continue to bring you unforgettable experiences that embody the essence of Brazil's artistic heritage.

Past Cultural Programming

Spring 23

Opera Scenes – Including Candinho – a children’s opera by João Ripper about the boyhood of the great Brazilian artist Candido Portinari

May 2, 7:30 PM – Free

Krannert Center for the Performing Arts

Candinho

 

Lyric Theatre is committed to fostering creativity in our students and community by the production of new and never-performed works in various stages of development. We are very excited to share six new works with our audiences: three by established composers and three by School of Music composition students Victor Rangel, Caleb Liddell, and Jiwon Hahn.

Venetian Cycle, songs from the medieval Jewish ghetto, by Ilya Demutsky with poetry by Olga Maslova

Candinho, a children’s opera by João Ripper about the boyhood of the great Brazilian artist Candido Portinari 

Rusalka, the popular tale of mermaids set by Ukrainian composer Mikhail Leontovych

The Sentinel, set in a post-apocalyptic US Capitol building, with words and music by Caleb Liddell 

A Painful Case, based on the short story by James Joyce, with music by Victor Rangel and libretto by Kathleen McGowan

The Sneeze, based on “The Death of the Government Clerk” by Anton Chekhov, with music by Jiwon Hahn and words by Jolie O’Dell

This is a collaboration with Lemann Center for Brazilian Studies, Russian Eurasian East European Center, the Illinois Modern Ensemble, and the Central Illinois Youth Chorus.

Click here for more information.

Fall 22

Adriana Calcanhotto

September 7th, 7:30 PM

Smith Memorial Hall

Adriana Calcanhotto
Adriana Calcanhotto
Foto: Leo Aversa

Acclaimed by fans and critics alike and hailed as one of the great Brazilian singer songwriters of the last 30 years, Adriana Calcanhotto is a musical chameleon who navigates from bossa nova, to samba, avant-garde, pop, MPB and beyond. A 2X Latin GRAMMY winner, Calcanhotto began her career in the mid 1980’s and has released over 20 albums reaching multiplatinum sales. Over the past three decades her songs have become the soundtrack for millions of fans through radio airplay, mesmerizing music videos, and as themes for major TV shows. With astonishing versatility and captivating poetry, Calcanhotto is able to compose popular ballads as well as conceptual pieces inspired by the literary greats. A published author with immense knowledge of the Portuguese language, Calcanhotto was invited by Coimbra University in Lisbon to teach a special class on poetry and music composition. She was extremely creative during the pandemic, releasing a live album, and new music inspired by the realities of Brazil.

Co-sponsored by Robert E. Brown Center for World Music, School of Music, Women and Gender in Global Perspectives Program