Argento expert
After a long and fruitful association with Minnesota's Dominick Argento, soprano Maria Jette is a leading exponent of the composer's vocal music. Jette's Schubert Club recital with guitarist Eva Beneke includes three of Argento's "Letters From Composers," a fitting memorial in light of the composer's recent passing. Ever-curious Jette also includes a clutch of little-known songs by Carl Maria von Weber, while Beneke and mandolinist Richard Kriehn contribute solo works by Rodrigo, Bach and Bartók. (Noon Thu., Landmark Center Courtroom 317, St. Paul; free, schubert.org)
Mozart and more
A regular soloist on the international circuit, St. Olaf College violin professor Francesca Anderegg plays Mozart's Fifth Violin Concerto with the Minnesota Sinfonia. Also on the program are symphonies by Schubert and Chevalier de Saint-Georges, plus a new work by Scott Miller. (7 p.m. Fri., Harding High School, St. Paul; 1:30 p.m. Sat., Basilica of St. Mary, Mpls., free, mnsinfonia.org)
'My Soul's Repose'
The latest concert from Twin Cities choir the Singers, "My Soul's Repose" features music about loss, grief and finding the strength to carry on. That includes a secular requiem by Los Angeles composer Dale Trumbore called "How to Go On." Also featured are "And So I Go On" by Minneapolis composer Jake Runestad and Eric Whitacre's "When David Heard." (7:30 p.m. Sat.; Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church, St. Paul; 2 p.m. Sun., Lake Nokomis Lutheran Church, Mpls.; $22-$36, singersmca.org)
Rediscovered genius
How many great female composers have been lost to history? For starters, there's Fanny Mendelssohn, sister of the great 19th-century composer Felix. A brilliant pianist, Fanny was also a gifted composer whose music career was stymied by society's strict expectations. MacPhail Center for Music's Spotlight Series celebrates Fanny's genius with faculty soprano Andrea Leap singing a selection of her songs. The concert also pairs Fanny's Piano Trio with excerpts from one of her brother's String Quartets. (8 p.m. Sat., MacPhail Center, Mpls.; $15-$25, 612-767-5250, macphail.org)
Desolate beauties
Twin Cities mezzo-soprano Adriana Zabala is guest soloist for the Chamber Music Society of Minnesota's "Music of Desolation" recital, featuring Respighi's cantata "Il Tramonto." An enterprising program also includes Schulhoff's String Sextet, Schoenfeld's "Nigun" and the premiere of a Viola Sonata by John Harbison. (4 p.m. Sun., Sundin Music Hall, Hamline University, St. Paul, $20-$25, chambermusicmn.org)
TERRY BLAIN
