Previews

How often does our City’s Symphony turn 100 years old, and how often can we exult classical music en masse? Here’s the chance to celebrate the longevity and essence of the San Francisco Symphony, with a free, live concert carnival in the Civic Center Plaza.

Le Jazz Hot Quartet plays French Gypsy Jazz, naming themselves after (and playing some of the repertoire of) the pioneering French combo of guitarist Django Reinhardt and violinist Stéphane Grappelli and their Quintette du Hot Club du France. The string ensemble (Hot Club of San Francisco is their touring name) has been playing these tunes for 11 years, and they make a pair of appearances at Yoshi's San Francisco in October, among other gigs. But on August 18, they bring Paris to Palo Alto, playing a set for free at the Stanford Shopping Center. Sure, there's an American swing to this group, but that's all to the good. Bring your dancing shoes.

And this Sunday Dolora Zajick sings for free as part of the San Francisco Opera's performance at Stern Grove. That's right: $100 a ticket to see her in the opera house, free at Stern Grove. And then there's this: even if you arrive late – heck, even if you picnic in the parking lot – you'll still hear her loud and clear.

Philip Glass has got a pick-up band of all stars ready for his inaugural Days and Nights Festival in Carmel Valley. The first weekend features Glass' compositions paired with works by Franz Schubert and Dmitri Shostakovich. Personally, if forced to pick one, I'd opt for Saturday night at Hidden Valley, with Glass' String Quartet No. 5 paired with Schubert's evergreen Piano Trio in B-Flat, D. 898.

Launching its 35th season, the S.F. Early Music Society celebrates passionate, accessible German cantatas from the 17th century.

At Clos Pegase Winery in Calistoga, the Music in the Vineyards husband-and-wife team of Michael and Daria Adams have put together quite a program.

The Music@Menlo festival brings its survey of Brahms to a brilliant close with clarinetist David Shifrin, Paul Neubauer, Gilbert Kalish, and cellist Paul Watkins.

The multitalented Russian-Israeli-American guitarist Yuri Liberzon promises a varied and accessible program for his upcoming recital.

Turtle Island Quartet has been touring the U.S. for the past several months playing selections from their Jimi Hendrix album Have You Ever Been...? This weekend they return to California with a set at Yoshi's S.F.

The Merola Opera Program steps out with Rossini's oft-played masterpiece The Barber of Seville, an easy recommendation, and an all-star cast: The Merolini are singers you will soon be seeing in major opera houses around the globe.