The Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts has something for everyone this holiday season, starting with a family show by former rock ‘n’ roller Dan Zanes, making a return appearance to ٺƵ.
The center’s holiday schedule also comprises Handel’s Messiah, a flamenco company’s Navidad program and one of the great Herculean challenges of the piano repertory: Olivier Messiaen's Vingt Regards sur l’Enfant-Jésus.
Zanes, formerly of the Del Fuegos, plans a presentation of his Holiday House Party—featuring disco Hanukkah rave-ups, raucous Arabic worship songs, a Korean new year’s anthem, high-octane Mexican fiddling, tap dancing, shadow puppetry, snow, laughter and the occasional Christmas carol.
Next comes Christopher Taylor’s performance of Vingt Regards sur l’Enfant-Jésus (roughly translated, “20 gazes or contemplations on the infant Jesus”). This is the first installment in the Mondavi Center’s new Tour de Force series, this year focusing on piano.
Don Roth, the Mondavi Center’s executive director, described Vingt Regards as “one of the most complex pieces ever written for the piano.”
“Messiaen’s music is not comfort food—it is dense, difficult and deep—but I don’t think you can come away from Taylor’s performance of Vingt Regards ܲԳDZ.”
Besides performing, Taylor is scheduled to participate in a free Forum@MC, joining Laurie San Martin, associate professor of music, for a discussion titled “Mastering Messiaen.”
Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana, a Spanish dance company based in New York City, is due at ٺƵ to present a rare look at holiday fiestas, flamenco style.
Finally, the American Bach Soloists—led by ٺƵ music professor Jeffrey Thomas—once again grace the Mondavi Center with their rendition of Messiah.
AT A GLANCE
• Dan Zanes’ Holiday House Party, 7 p.m. Dec. 2, Jackson Hall.
• Christopher Taylor, piano: Olivier Messiaen’s Vingt Regards sur l’Enfant-Jésus, 8 p.m. Dec. 6 and 2 p.m. Dec. 7, Studio Theatre. Question-and-answer session after each performance.
• Forum@MC: “Mastering Messiaen,” 5 p.m. Dec. 8, Studio Theatre. Free.
• Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana: Navidad Flamenca, in celebration of Christmas, 3 p.m. Dec. 14, Jackson Hall.
• American Bach Soloists: Messiah, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20, Jackson Hall.
Tickets: (530) 754-2787 or (866) 754-2787, or .
Media Resources
Dave Jones, Dateline, 530-752-6556, dljones@ucdavis.edu