If SummerPops is open, and it is, pianist Gustavo Romero can’t be far behind.
Raised in San Diego, the acclaimed pianist launches his annual Athenaeum Festival, devoted in this case to the music of Robert Schumann, at 4 p.m. Sunday at The Neurosciences Institute. The festival continues each Sunday of July, same time, same place.
For the past eight years Romero has appeared in the Athenaeum Summer Music Festival, usually devoting each year to a single composer whose works he performs from memory to full houses.
Pianist/composer Schumann (1810-1856) had a regrettably short life, the last part of which was plagued by mental illness brought on by syphilis. A poet and journalist as well, Schumann is noted for his poetic and romantic works, many composed for his wife, pianist Clara Wieck. In his publication, Die Neue Zeitschrift fur Musik, Schumann championed contemporary composers such as Johannes Brahms, Frederic Chopin and Hector Berlioz.
In a year so filled with Mozart, Romero advocates Schumann, which he performs as follows:
Sunday, July 9
Kinderszenen, Opus 15
Fantasie, Opus 17 in C Major
Intermission
“Abegg” Variations, Opus 1
Carnival, Opus 9
Sunday, July 16
Fantasiestãcke, Opus 12
Toccata, Opus 7
Intermission
Sonata, Opus 11, No.1 in F# Minor
Sunday, July 23
Arabeske, Opus 18
Humoreske, Opus 20
Intermission
Papillons, Opus 2
Faschingsschwank aus Wien, Opus 26
Sunday, July 30
Blãmenstãcke, Opus 19
Kreisleriana, Opus 16
Intermission
Symphonic Etudes, Opus 13
Tickets range in price from $24 (members) to $29. The Neurosciences Institute is located at 10640 John Jay Hopkins Drive. For tickets and information, visit www.ljathenaeum or call (858) 454-5872.
Other musical events of note:
“¢ Lamb’s Players Theatre remounts its musical revue “American Rhythm” through Aug. 13 at the Lyceum Theatre, Horton Plaza. www.lambsplayers.org or (619) 437-0600.
“¢ The Tony Award-winning Broadway musical “Rent,” originally staged by then-Playhouse Artistic Director Michael Greif, opens a week’s engagement at the Civic Theatre July 11 (continuing through July 16). www.broadwaysd.com, www.ticketmaster.com or (619) 220-TIXS.
“¢ Starlight Theatre opens a two-week run (July 13-23) of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Jesus Christ Superstar” at Balboa Park’s Starlight Bowl, www.starlighttheatre.org or (619) 544-7827.
“¢ “My Fair Lady” continues at Welk Resort Theatre (8860 Lawrence Welk Drive, Escondido) through Aug. 27. www.welktheatre.com or (888) 802-7469.
“¢ San Diego Symphony SummerPops continues weekly at Embarcadero Marina Park South through Sept. 3. The real Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 7-8. For information on this and other concerts in the series, see www.sandiegosymphony.com or call (619) 235-0804.
