Bell is back

Just weeks after marrying Puerto Rican soprano Larisa Martinez, American violinist Joshua Bell is hitting the road again with his pianist, Alessio Bax. The sweepingly romantic Sonata of César Franck is front and center at their Schubert Club recital, alongside shorter works by Bach and Schubert. Interestingly, Bell also includes Belgian composer Eugène Ysaÿe's unaccompanied Third Sonata. Ysaÿe was one of the greatest violinists of the 20th century, and the tricks and turns that he put into his music make it irresistible to virtuosos of Bell's caliber. (3 p.m. Sun., Ordway Music Theater, St. Paul; $51-$95, 651-292-3268 or schubert.org)

Sinfonia turns 30

The Minnesota Sinfonia celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, and its combination of extensive educational outreach with professional music-making has won it a unique position in the state's classical ecosystem. Its season kickoff concert is a typically varied mix of tried and trusted repertoire — Elgar's Introduction and Allegro, Bruch's First Violin Concerto and Bach's Third Brandenburg Concerto are featured — with the world premiere of a new work by American composer Kirsten Broberg. Jay Fishman, the Sinfonia's founder and artistic director, conducts. (7 p.m. Fri., Founders Hall, Metropolitan State University, St. Paul; 2 p.m. Sun., Basilica of St. Mary, Mpls. Free. mnsinfonia.org)

Chamber of delights

The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra is packed with outstanding solo players, and a group of them is banding together for the latest in the orchestra's popular Chamber Music Series. Dvořák's Bass Quintet and Saint-Saëns' Septet feature, plus a flute and piano work by Valerie Coleman based on Maya Angelou's poetry. (7 p.m. Fri., Sanctuary Covenant Church, Mpls.; 8 p.m. Sat. & 2 p.m. Sun., Sundin Music Hall, Hamline University, St. Paul; $15, 651-291-1144 or thespco.org)

Martial music

Out of the Box Opera continues to explore the unlikely interface between opera and boxing in its third annual "Diva Cage Match," where six pairs of opera singers slug it out vocally in a series of "tag team duets." Dessa, Jevetta Steele and former Minnesota Opera music director Michael Christie are among the judges. (7 p.m. Sat., Minneapolis Cider Co., Mpls.; $40-$70, outoftheboxopera.com)

Family fright night

Halloween is coming, and the Copper Street Brass celebrates in "Nightmare on Copper Street," a program running the full gamut "from Bach to Batman." Pieces by Saint-Saëns and Grieg rub shoulders with spooky movie music in a family-friendly show where tricks, treats and costumes are encouraged. (7:30 p.m. Thu. & Fri., Sundin Music Hall, Hamline University, St. Paul; $10-$20, copperstreetbrass.org)

TERRY BLAIN