Music
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BIG IMAGINATION The Chelsea Opera and the Chelsea Opera Chamber Orchestra present Gian Carlo Menotti’s “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” an opera originally commissioned by NBC in 1951. The story follows a physically challenged boy as he creates incredible fantasies about ordinary life. Tonight, 8 p.m., St. Peter’s Church, 346 W. 20th St., between Eighth and Ninth avenues, 866-811-4111, $20 general, $15 students and seniors.
SEPHARDIC SOUNDS Congregation Shearith Israel, a Spanish and Portuguese synagogue, presents a concert for the Sephardic Music Festival, featuring performances by the Afro-Semitic Experience and the Sarah Aroeste Band. The two groups perform Middle Eastern and African melodies in the traditional language of Ladino. Tonight, 7:30 p.m., Congregation Shearith Israel, 2 W. 70th St. at Central Park West, 212-873-0300 ext. 209, $12 in advance, $15 at the doors.
CAPTAIN CORELLI’S VIOLIN As part of its “Corelli’s Christmas Concerto and Handel’s Water Music” program, the New York Philharmonic performs Corelli’s Christmas Concerto and Handel’s “Water Music” and Organ Concerto No. 10 in D. Conductor Bernard Labadie leads the orchestra and organist Richard Paré is a featured performer. Tonight, 7:30 p.m., tomorrow, 2 p.m., Saturday, 8 p.m., Avery Fisher Hall, 10 Lincoln Center Plaza, Broadway and 65th Street, 212-875-5900, $29–$94.
HOUSE OF DAVID Jazz at Lincoln Center presents a former member of Ray Charles’s band, David “Fathead” Newman. The tenor saxophonist performs with the Dr. Lonnie Smith Trio and guitarist Peter Bernstein. Tonight, 7:30, 9:30, and 11 p.m., tomorrow and Saturday, 7:30, 9:30, and 11:30 p.m., Sunday, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m., JALC, Frederick P. Rose Hall, Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, 33 W. 60th St. at Broadway, 212-258-9800, $10 table minimum, $5 bar. For complete information, go to jalc.org.
THE RULER’S BACK The Metropolitan Opera House and the Los Angeles Opera present the opening of Tan Dun’s “The First Emperor,” an epic new opera set in the ancient court of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huangdi, who united the nation and built the Great Wall. Spanish tenor Placido Domingo sings the lead role and mezzo soprano Susanne Mentzer and coloratura soprano Elizabeth Futral are featured performers. A leading film director, Zhang Yimou, is a member of the elaborate opera’s production team. Tonight, 8 p.m., through Thursday, January 25, dates and times vary, Metropolitan Opera House, Lincoln Center, Columbus Avenue at 64th Street, 212-362-6000, $50-$350 for tonight’s performance, $15-$295 afterward. For complete information, go to metoperafamily.org.
AFRO-CUBAN ROOTS Carnegie Hall presents “Tania León: A Celebration and a Tribute,” a concert to honor the Afro-Cuban composer and pianist, featuring an all-León program. Ms. León receives the 2006 Ignacio Cervantes Lifetime Achievement Medal. Featured performers include a jazz saxophonist, Paquito D’Rivera, and pianists Chiemi Nakai and Adam Kent. Tomorrow, 8 p.m., Carnegie Hall, Weill Recital Hall, 54 W. 57th St. at Seventh Avenue, 212-247-7800, $40.