Best bets

Jaap van Zweden & The New York Philharmonic

Date: March 8-9-7:30 pm

Venue: National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA)

Jaap van Zweden has become an international presence on three continents over the last decade. The 2017-2018 season marks a major milestone as he completes his ten-year tenure as music director of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and becomes Music Director Designate of the New York Philharmonic, anticipating his inaugural season, in 2018-2019, when he becomes Music Director. The New York Philharmonic plays a leading cultural role in New York City, the United States, and the world. Each season the New York Philharmonic connects with up to 50 million music lovers through live concerts in New York City and on its worldwide tours and residencies as well as with its digital recording series, international broadcasts, and education programs. In the 2017-2018 season, during which Jaap van Zweden serves as Music Director Designate, the Philharmonic celebrates its greatest strengths and essential commitments while looking to the future as an innovative, global ensemble, spotlighting its musicians and partners, dedication to new music, wide-ranging repertoire, education programs, and accessibility.

From Mozart to Broadway: Danielle de Niese & Lucerne Festival Strings

Date: March 7-7:30 pm

Venue: National Centre for the Per forming Arts

Danielle de Niese has been hailed as "opera's coolest soprano" by New York Times and "not just a superb performer, but a phenomenal one" by Opera News. A multifaceted artist, de Niese has gained wide recognition for her superb stagecraft, assured singing and her ability to communicate on every level. She regularly appears on the world's most prestigious opera and concert stages and is a prolific recording artist, TV personality and philanthropist. Born in Australia to parents of Sri Lankan and Dutch heritage, de Niese became at the age of 18 the youngest ever singer to enter the Metropolitan Opera's prestigious Lindemann Young Artist Development Programme. One year later she made her Metropolitan Opera debut under James Levine, as Barbarina in Jonathan Miller's acclaimed new production of Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro. On the strength of her performance, de Niese went on to make major debuts at the Opera National de Paris, Saito Kinen Festival and Netherlands Opera.