Listening Post: Critic's Picks for June, 2025

Each month, critic Doug DeLoach surveys a selection of performances that reflect the breadth of Atlanta’s contemporary classical and experimental music scene. June’s picks move between Baroque repertoire, modern chamber works and more exploratory sounds.

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CRITIC'S PICK: Echoes of Italy

Sun., Jun. 1
Ayres and Graces
St. Paul's Episcopal Church

Ahoy, classical Baroque and early music fans. On Sunday afternoon at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Newnan, Ayres and Graces, an ensemble led by harpsichordist Cole Hankins and soprano Maria Margiolakou, presents ""Echoes of Italy."" The program showcases operatic works that exerted a profound impact on the musical scene of continental Europe during the first half of the 1700s.

Featured works include excerpts from operas by Alessandro Scarlatti and Antonio Vivaldi, the cantatille 'Le Printems (The Spring)' by Julie Pinel, and Bach's “Ich habe genug (I have enough)."" The latter, a solo cantata for soprano, is an exquisitely beautiful rumination on the grace that comes with acceptance of life’s beginnings and ends. The concert is free with registration. — Doug DeLoach
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CRITIC'S PICK: Michael Farris in conversation with Thomas Mullen

Wed., Jun. 4
Michael Farris in conversation with Thomas Mullen
Wrecking Bar Brewpub

The June edition of Writers at the Wrecking Bar features Michael Farris, author the newly released novel 'Lay Your Armor Down,' in conversation with Atlanta's Thomas Mullen, author of 'The Rumor Game.' The A Cappella Books-sponsored event will be hosted by Chuck Reece, editor of Salvation South. According to press notes, "In spare, imagistic prose, 'Lay Your Armor Down' reduces the epic to its most elemental.

It charts the course of several broken people, all outrunning danger’s dark fingers, and all brought together for one last chance at redemption." Based in Oxford, Miss., Smith is an award-winning writer whose novels have appeared on Best of the Year lists in Esquire, NPR, Southern Living, Garden & Gun, Oprah Magazine and Book Riot. As a screenwriter, he scripted the feature-film adaptations of his novels 'Desperation Road' and 'The Fighter.' — Doug DeLoach
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CRITIC'S PICK: Dilon Bryan

Sat., Jun. 7
Dilon Bryan
Morningside Presbyterian Church

French horn specialist Dilon Bryan is the featured guest of The Nancy Frampton Rising Artists Series, which is dedicated to showcasing the next generation of classical music stars. The British-born hornist from Birmingham, United Kingdom, currently resides in Atlanta. He recently held the horn chair of Ensemble Flatirons, a chamber group comprised of University of Colorado Boulder's top-performing brass musicians.

Bryan has appeared on stage with orchestras and ensembles including the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Central City Opera, Augusta Symphony and Atlanta Pops Orchestra, as well as guest principal horn with the Atlanta Symphony. Bryan's highly eclectic program at Morningside Presbyterian Church will include works by Still, Buyanovsky, Wilder, Saglietti, Alder, Bryan, Glière, Piazzolla and Bissill. — Doug DeLoach
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CRITIC'S PICK: 'Semele’ The Atlanta Opera

Sat., Jun. 7-15
'Semele’ The Atlanta Opera
Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre

Be careful what you wish for. For example, let's say you ask a god with whom you are illicitly consorting to reveal himself in all his immortal glory to prove that he is truly a god, a questionable doubt seeded in your mind by the god's wife. What could go wrong? The characters, motivations and consequences of such circumstances constitute the tragic love triangle drawn from Greek mythology, processed through the genius of 18th century Baroque composer George Frideric Händel, and staged by The Atlanta Opera in a new production of 'Semele' by Tomer Zvulun.

'Semele' is Handel at his most richly dramatic, sensually endowed and brilliantly Baroque best. The opera's arias and choruses are among the most powerfully expressive in the repertoire. In this premiere production by The Atlanta Opera, according to the press notes, "in gorgeous detail, design elements of architecture, fashion, and even dreams are elevated into a modern mythology where gods walk among us and mortals yearn for love and immortality." What more to ask for? — Doug DeLoach
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CRITIC'S PICK: Joseph Allred, Shane Parish, In a Kythe, and John Fernandez

Sun., Jun. 8
Joseph Allred, Shane Parish, In a Kythe, and John Fernandez
Bolo Bolo in Athens

As recently witnessed, there are drones and then there are drones. Numerous types of drone, ambience and wonderfully weird sonic adventuring are on tap for this concert at Bolo Bolo in Athens. Joseph Allred is one of the most gifted and creative guitarpickers in the land.

Shane Parish recently released ‘On Solo at Cafe OTO’ featuring the Athens-based guitarist performing six ballads reimagined for solo electric guitar. In A Kythe (Lydian Brambila) is a veteran soundscaper from beyond the range. John Kiran Fernandes blows blissful, meditative circles around the sun. – Doug DeLoach
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CRITIC'S PICK: Bela Fleck

Wed., Jun. 11
Bela Fleck
Symphony Hall

One of the most prolifically creative banjoists on the planet, Bela Fleck brings his latest large-scale project, which explores and dissects George Gershwin’s ‘Rhapsody in Blue,’ in concert with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra at Symphony Hall. Fleck’s specially arranged version of the hugely influential concerto was captured for posterity on a 2024 release by the banjoist and cohorts in celebration of the century-old music's premiere.

In it, Fleck expands the music's scope and renews appreciation for Gershwin’s genius. – Doug DeLoach
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CRITIC'S PICK: David J Haskins with The Hot Place

Thu., Jun. 12
David J Haskins with The Hot Place
Electron Gardens Studio

In a special studio presentation, The Hot Place, featuring Lisa King (vocals, hand percussion), Jeff Calder (guitar) and Mike Lynn (guitar), will open for former singer-bassist for Bauhaus and Love and Rockets David J Haskins at Electron Gardens Studio in Avondale Estates. The Hot Place Band will perform acoustic arrangements from their 2023 self-titled album. Haskins is releasing 'The Mother Tree,' along with a companion book of poetry titled 'Rhapsody, Threnody and Prayer.' Both works are partly tributes to his mother, the late Joan Nancy Haskins, as well as other figures in Haskins' life including Ian Curtis, Kurt Cobain, Jeff Buckley, Jack Kerouac and Mark Linkous.

David will be performing both spoken word and music, and special guests are expected. Very limited seating. — Doug DeLoach
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CRITIC'S PICK: Summer Global Music Festival

Thu., Jun. 19, Fri., Jun. 20 & Sat., Jun. 21
Summer Global Music Festival
Spivey Hall

Seven ensembles, seven different cultures/traditions. Sounds like a worthy lineup for the Summer Global Music Festival at Spivey Hall. Celebrate the African diaspora in the Americas on Juneteenth with Apu Inka and Manga African Dance. The Hot Tropics are the focus for India’s Kuchipudi Dance troupe and Latitude Adjustment Steel on Jun.

20. On Jun. 21, Dance around the World with Atlanta Chinese Dance Company, Georgia Polka Connection (led by Atlanta Braves organist Matthew Kaminski), and Irish band Ah, Surely! The festival also features arts, crafts and an “instrument petting zoo” where children can get up close and personal with a variety of musical instruments. – Doug DeLoach
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For more critic-recommended concerts, performances and cultural events, explore CL Recommends.

Explore more:
• Music Critic’s Picks
• More from Doug DeLoach
• All CL Recommends