In 1913, the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées was the scene of one of the most infamous theatrical riots of the 20th Century. The cause? A revolution in music, namely the premiere of Igor Stravinsky’s primal “Le sacre du printemps,” or, “The Rite of Spring.” The work will be given something of a rewrite when pianists Sarah Rothenberg and Marilyn Nonken present the Stravinsky classic for two pianos in a program entitled “The Grand Gesture” on April 13 at 8pm at the Alexander Kasser Theater in Montclair, NJ. The concert, which also includes Olivier Messiaen’s equally uproarious “Visions de l’Amen” (1946), is a Peak Performances presentation.

Where To Go

The Alexander Kasser Theater at Montclair State University is located at 1 Normal Avenue, Montclair, New Jersey 07043. Tickets are $15, and are available at the box office, www.peakperfs.org, or by calling 973-655-5112. Charter bus service is provided from New York City’s Port Authority Bus Terminal – arcade on 41st Street between 8th and 9th Avenues – to the Alexander Kasser Theater ($10 per person, roundtrip) for all Saturday and Sunday performances. Bus reservations may be made by calling 973-655- 5112 or by visiting www.peakperfs.org. For train service, available only on weekdays, go online to www.njtransit.com or call 973-275-5555. For restaurants close to the Alexander Kasser Theater, visit www.destinationmontclair.com.

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The 2012/13 season is made possible in part by funds from: Association of Performing Arts Presenters; the National Endowment for the Arts; the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts; Discover Jersey Arts; the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation; Alison and James T. Cirenza; and The Honorable Mary Mochary.
Photo of Marilyn Nonnken (l) and Sarah Rothenberg (r) by Tina Psoinos.