Sept. 11 tribute, operatic works on the calendar.
by John Cain

South Shore Arts will commemorate the 10th anniversary of the events of Sept. 11, 2001, with “New York, September 11th by Magnum Photographers,” an exhibition of 42 color and black-and-white photographs, photo tapestries, light boxes and a large-scale, freestanding photo triptych, which will be presented in the gallery at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts, Munster, from Aug. 7 through Sept. 18. A special commemorative event, including music and spoken word, will be presented on Sunday, Sept. 11, from 1 to 3 p.m.

By now, the story of Sept. 11, 2001, has been burned into our collective memory, but few have seen New York from the perspective of Magnum photographers. On that tragic morning, 11 members of the legendary photo agency immediately dispersed from their monthly meeting in New York to document the events as they unfolded, risking their own lives to record the incomprehensible. Their photographs, by turns haunting, surreal and breathtaking, are collected together in “New York, September 11th by Magnum Photographers.”

From the photographers' various vantage points, viewers will be transported to Ground Zero to witness the destruction of the World Trade Center and the buildings' implosion that sent thousands fleeing from debris through the streets and their exodus out of lower Manhattan. Documented also is the photographers' return to the scene and their quiet observation and respect for the rescue workers, whose jobs had only just begun, and for the mourners who had been gathering, struck with grief. As a tribute to the World Trade Center's noted place in history, “New York, September 11th” also includes some of the most beloved photographs of the Twin Towers taken by Magnum over the last quarter century.

Magnum Photos is a photographic cooperative of diversity and distinction owned by its photographer-members. www.southshoreartsonline.org

Opera At the Acorn
Opera at the Acorn in Three Oaks, Mich., continues its summer season with Metropolitan Opera mezzo-soprano Isola Jones, reprising her role as Maddalena in Giuseppe Verdi's “Rigoletto.”

Jones has performed this role a myriad of times at the Met with the likes of Luciano Pavarotti and Placido Domingo. On Aug. 20, she will perform at the Acorn with tenor Isaac Hurtado, a brilliant new voice on the American scene, making his Opera at the Acorn debut.

Singing the title role will be the amazing baritone John Payonk, and his Gilda will be soprano Sarah Hibbard. Soprano Amy Fuller will return as Countess Ceprano, and Opera at the Acorn founder Robert Swan will sing the role of the killer, Sparafucile. This performance will be accompanied by members of the LaPorte Symphony Orchestra in an Opera at the Acorn first. Conducting will be Music Director Philip Bauman, the symphony's longtime leader.

Opera at the Acorn will bring back “Jacques Brel and Kurt Weill are Back in Town,” its most popular show ever, on Saturday, Sept. 17, at 8 p.m. Formerly known as “Jacques Brel and Kurt Weill are Alive and Well and Living in Three Oaks,” the show features soprano Martha Cares, singing the classic songs that brought audiences to their feet, along with founder, bass Robert Swan. Don Stille will again accompany on the accordion with Eliott Delman on the guitar. Jorge Niedas and Karen Ma will dance the tango. Tickets will go fast for this show, so if you don't want to be disappointed, book early! www.acorntheater.com

Find out more about area arts activities and events by watching John Cain on Lakeshore Public Television's “Eye on the Arts,” every Thursday evening at 9 p.m. on Lakeshore News Tonight.