March 22, 2023

With Coach Bowman Returning to the Helm, Stuart Hoops Made Progress in Transition Year

PASSING LANE: Stuart County Day School basketball player Emily Ix passes the ball in a game this winter. Senior star Ix provided production and leadership as Stuart showed progress down the stretch in going 5-6. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

For the Stuart County Day School basketball team, ending the winter with a pair of wins exemplified the progress it made in a season of transition.

With Tony Bowman returning to take the helm of the program after guiding the Tartans from 2003-11 and the roster down to seven players, it took a while for Stuart to get in sync.

“It was challenging in the beginning and then it became fun and we started playing basketball,” said Bowman, whose team topped STEM Civics 57-16 and Hamilton West 40-31 in the last week of the season to end the winter with a record of 5-6. “It was definitely a process. The kids had to get used to me and I had to get used to them. You come into somebody else’s system and then it breaks down from 12 kids to seven. Those are some of the things that you don’t foresee.” more

With Hun Baseball Coming Off Banner Campaign, Raiders Looking to Pick Up Where They Left Off

MIGHTY MIKE: Hun School baseball player Mike Chiaravallo takes a swing in action last season. Senior outfielder Chiaravallo led the Raiders in homers with nine last spring as they won the program’s first-ever Mercer County Tournament crown and cruised to the Mid-Atlantic Prep League (MAPL) title. Hun opens the 2023 season by hosting Lawrenceville on March 23. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

With the Hun School baseball team coming off a banner campaign that saw it win the program’s first-ever Mercer County Tournament crown and cruise to the Mid-Atlantic Prep League (MAPL) title, there is a positive vibe around the squad as it looks ahead to this spring.

“There is lot of confidence and a lot of excitement too, there are some guys who are going to get more opportunities to play than they have in the past that are ready for it,” said Hun head coach Tom Monfiletto who guided the Raiders to a 20-4 record in 2022. “There is also a lot of room to grow too, which is exciting for the coaching staff.” more

March 20, 2023

Controversy Over Dismissed PHS Principal Heats Up; Parents, Students to Rally Today

By Donald Gilpin

Last Friday afternoon’s replacement of the Princeton High School (PHS) principal Frank Chmiel has prompted a strong reaction from students, parents, and other members of the community, with a demonstration planned for 12:30 p.m. today, March 20 at PHS, as well as  the creation of various petitions and online groups in support of Chmiel.

Following up on its March 17 announcement that the assistant principals would be taking over at PHS, the Princeton Public Schools (PPS) Board of Education (BOE) issued another statement on Sunday, March 19 in responding to “numerous inquiries” regarding Chmiel’s status. The email stated that, in accordance with state law and public employee privacy rights, the BOE could not discuss the replacement of Chmiel, but noted, “The Board unanimously supported, and unanimously supports, the superintendent and the difficult decisions that needed to be made.”

The BOE missive continued, “We know that changes in leadership during the school year are difficult, but please know that whenever these occur, the Board and the administration always engage in a lengthy deliberative process, consider the impact of those changes, and discuss those with all affected employees (as well as their legal representatives).”

The Tuesday evening March 21 previously-scheduled BOE meeting, at 6 p.m. via Zoom, will devote the first hour to public comment, with further opportunity for public comment following discussion of other items on the agenda.

The BOE email concluded with a brief appreciation of Chmiel’s contributions to PHS. “We are thankful to Frank Chmiel for his service at Princeton High School and his strong connection with students, which was especially important as the students returned from the isolation of COVID,” it stated. “We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”

Another email, sent out Sunday afternoon to PHS families from PHS Assistant Principals Rashone Johnson and Cecilia Birge, who are temporarily taking on the principal’s responsibilities, promised a smooth transition, with ongoing support for the students.

Opposition groups were not assuaged. A contingent of parents moved ahead with plans for a peaceful demonstration at the flag pole at the main entrance of PHS to demand “transparency and accountability from the superintendent and the BOE.”

One of the online petitions, which calls for the Board to rescind Chmiel’s termination, had collected more than 2,300 signatures by early Monday morning, and a parent-organized GoFundMe site had collected over $8,000 for Chmiel’s possible legal defense. Parents have also created a private Facebook site in support of Chmiel.

PU Women’s Hoops Falls to Utah in Second Round of NCAA Tournament

By Bill Alden

A late rally fell short for the 10th-seeded Princeton University women’s basketball team as it lost 63-56 to second-seeded Utah in the second round of the NCAA tournament Sunday night in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The Tigers trailed 40-30 midway through the third quarter and narrowed the gap to 50-48 with 7:00 left in regulation but could get no closer than that as they ended the season with a 24-6 record. Junior guard Kaitlyn Chen tallied 19 points to lead the Tigers, with senior Grace Stone chipping in 16 points in her final appearance for Princeton.

While the defeat stung, Princeton head coach Carla Berube had no qualms with the effort she got from her scrappy squad.

“We feel like we came up short of our goal, but you know I think we battled from minute one to minute 40, and I couldn’t be prouder of my team and how hard we played,” said Berube, whose team is the first Ivy League women’s program to post NCAA tourney wins in consecutive seasons.

“Some shots just didn’t fall for us,” said Berube. “They fouled a little bit too much. Utah is a very, very good team — very talented, hard to guard. Really great at every position. We had our work cut out for us. But I think we were right there. I’m just so happy that I get to coach them every single day and when I put on my Princeton shirt every day and represent them, it’s such a great gift.”

March 19, 2023

PU Men’s Basketball Team Advances to Sweet 16

By Bill Alden

Advancing to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1967, the 15th-seeded Princeton University men’s basketball team whipped seventh-seeded Missouri 79-63 in a second-round contest Saturday night in Sacramento, Calif.

Senior guard Ryan Langborg scored a game-high 22 points to pace the Tigers, who jumped out to a 33-26 halftime lead and then reeled off a 13-2 run midway through the second half and cruised to victory. Princeton, now 23-8, will head to the South Regional in Louisville, Ken., where they will face the winner of the second-round game between third-seeded Baylor and sixth-seeded Creighton in the Round of 16 on March 24.

For Princeton head coach Mitch Henderson, a former Tiger standout who helped the program win NCAA first round games in 1996 and 1998, making the Sweet 16 is a literally a dream come true.

“I’ve always dreamed of playing deep into the tournament,” said Henderson, who got 17 points off the bench from sophomore Blake Peters with senior star Tosan Evbuomwan contributing nine points, nine rebounds, and five assists. “As a player, I got to the second round a couple times. Never got beyond it. I feel like for these guys, it’s unbelievable.”

Evbuomwan, for his part, shared Henderson’s sentiments.

“I can’t really put the feeling into words right now, to be honest,” said Evbuomwan. “It’s just an unreal feeling to do this with my guys and my teammates, coaching staff. Like coach said, it’s been a few years in the making, I think. We just have such a close group. We love to work with each other. We love to push each other. It’s showing. Just a group of really tough guys. It’s all coming together at the right time I think.”

March 18, 2023

PPS Replaces PHS Principal Frank Chmiel; Asst. Principals Taking Over Temporarily

By Donald Gilpin

Frank Chmiel, Princeton High School (PHS) principal since July 2021, is out, according to a March 17 afternoon announcement from the Princeton Public Schools (PPS) superintendent and the 10 members of the PPS Board of Education.

Chmiel’s employment has apparently been terminated by the BOE, though the announcement sent out to PPS families, students, and staff, did not mention reasons for Chmiel’s departure, and, in accord with New Jersey Public Meeting Laws, school officials did not provide further details on this personnel issue.

The announcement from superintendent and BOE did not mention Chmiel’s name but noted that “Princeton High School assistant principals Rashone Johnson and Cecilia Birge have jointly assumed the responsibilities of the principal of PHS on a temporary basis as Princeton High School undergoes a transition in the school leadership.”

The short email continued, “We anticipate appointing an interim principal who is a veteran educator with many years of experience to take the helm and serve as principal for the remainder of the school year.  We know that change is never easy, but we have a dedicated staff who is committed to the students’ well-being, security, and educational needs. These will remain the top priority for our educators at PHS.”

Chmiel, who was not available for comment, has received widespread support from many members of the school community. A petition “In Support of Principal Chmiel” garnered about 1,200 signers in May of last year when rumors circulated that his contract might not be renewed for the 2022-23 school year.  At that time his contract was renewed through June 30, 2023. He does not have tenure in the PPS.

As rumors emerged on social media earlier this week, Chmiel proponents rallied again. Another petition, initiated by PHS students and titled “Chmiel Has Been Fired. We Demand Transparency and that the Board Rescind His Termination” had more than 1,700 signatures by late Saturday morning.

“We want to highlight how Principal Chmiel has positively impacted our school and how significant of a person he has become in our community,” the petition states.

PU Women’s Hoops Tops NC State 64-63 in First Round of NCAA Tournament

By Bill Alden

Winning a NCAA tournament game for the second straight year, the 10th-seeded Princeton University women’s basketball team rallied to a 64-63 victory over seventh-seeded N.C. State Friday night in Salt Lake City, Utah in a first-round contest.

Senior star Grace Stone drained a three-pointer from the corner with 4.7 seconds left in regulation to provide the margin of victory as the Tigers came back from a 63-55 deficit with 5:44 remaining in the fourth quarter. Princeton, now 24-5, will host face host and second seeded Utah (26-4) in a second-round contest on Sunday night.

The Tigers, who had upset Kentucky in the first round of the 2022 NCAA tourney, made it a historic weekend for Princeton and Ivy League basketball. With the 15th-seeded Tiger men having rallied to shock second-seeded Arizona 59-55 a day earlier in an NCAA opening round game, it marked the first time ever that two Ivy teams have advanced to the second round of the tournament in the same year.

 “I am just so thrilled with that win; I mean, that is what it is about at this time — getting wins,” said Princeton head coach Carla Berube, who got 22 points from both Stone and junior guard Kaitlyn Chen in the win. “We certainly didn’t play a great 40 minutes of basketball, but we made the plays we needed to down the stretch. The defense came up big. We made really big shots when we needed to. We had to grind it out and get gritty and just make the plays and make the shots.”

March 17, 2023

PU Men’s Hoops Stuns Arizona in First Round of NCAA Tournament

By Bill Alden

Rallying from a 10-point deficit with 7:43 left in regulation, the 15th-seeded Princeton University men’s basketball team stunned second-seeded Arizona 59-55 in the first round of the NCAA tournament Thursday in Sacramento, Calif.

Senior forward Tosan Evbuomwan sparked the comeback, tallying 15 points with seven rebounds and four assists as the Tigers improved to 22-8. Princeton, which held the Wildcats scoreless for the last 4:43 of the contest, will now face seventh-seeded Missouri in a second-round contest on Saturday.

The triumph marked the first win for the program in the NCAA tournament since 1998 and came 27 years to the day of Princeton’s historic 43-41 upset of defending NCAA champ UCLA with current Tiger coach Mitch Henderson as the point guard of that squad. more

March 15, 2023

Princeton University Student Charged in January 6 Capitol Riot

By Anne Levin

A student from Princeton University’s class of 2023 has been arrested in connection with the riot at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Larry Fife Giberson, a politics major from Manahawkin, was charged March 14 with civil disorder, a felony, and related misdemeanor offenses, according to a report by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Based on video footage, Giberson was seen “obstructing, impeding, and interfering with law enforcement officers guarding the United States Capitol.” A review of surveillance footage and videos posted on YouTube and other platforms revealed Giberson “engaged in a violent assault against multiple law enforcement officers in the tunnel,” the report reads, identifying the tunnel as a narrow point of entry on the Lower West Terrace of the Capitol.

The report says Giberson was wearing a blue baseball cap with the words “TRUMP Make America Great Again” on it, a black and grey gaiter with the American flag on it, and a Trump flag around his neck. The report is accompanied by numerous images captured from the footage. The footage shows man identified as Giberson and a group of rioters leading the effort to push into the building, and says he started chanting “Drag them out!” and cheering when weapons and pepper spray were used on Capitol police officers in the tunnel.

The report says Giberson confirmed he was the person in the photographs during an interview with the FBI at the Princeton Police Department. He is to make his first appearance in federal court on March 21. Since January 6, 2021, the Department of Justice has charged more than 1,000 people with crimes related to the riot, which disrupted a joint session of Congress that later confirmed Joe Biden as winner of the 2020 election. more

Punching Their Ticket

Members of the Princeton University men’s basketball team celebrate after they defeated Yale 74-65 in the final of the Ivy Madness postseason tournament last Sunday at Jadwin Gym. The win clinched Princeton’s first trip to the NCAA tournament since 2017. The Tigers, now 21-8, are seeded 15th in the NCAA tourney and will face second-seeded Arizona in a first-round contest on March 16 in Sacramento, Calif. The Princeton women’s hoops team also prevailed at Ivy Madness, topping Harvard 54-48 in their final on Saturday. The Tigers, now 23-5, are seeded 10th in the NCAA tourney and will face seventh-seeded N.C. State in a first-round contest on March 17 in Salt Lake City, Utah. For more details on the wins, see pages 23-25. (Photo provided courtesy of Princeton Athletics) 

Council Votes to Introduce $72.46M Budget

By Anne Levin

At its meeting Monday night, Princeton Council voted to introduce a budget of $72.46 million for 2023. The anticipated tax levy is approximately $39.7 million, which is an increase of about $1.27 million over the previous year. A public hearing on the budget is April 10.

Council also voted at the meeting to pay the public relations firm Taft Communications up to $50,250 to redesign and manage the municipality’s newsletter starting April 1. Before voting in favor of the six-month contract, which can be renewed for an additional six months, some members of Council and Mayor Mark Freda commented that the price tag for the contract was high.

“I just think it’s expensive for what we’re going to get,” Freda said. Councilwoman Michelle Pirone Lambros responded that the newsletter will have written stories instead of cut-and-paste items. “It’s a reset,” she said. “So eventually, we’ll have a staff person do this. We need better outreach, and that’s the main focus.” more

Hughes Won’t Run For Another Term As County Executive

By Anne Levin

Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes has decided to end his campaign for an additional term. First elected to the post in 2004, Hughes has opted to step down after losing the endorsements of the Mercer County Democratic Organization and Princeton Community Democratic Organization to Assemblyman Dan Benson (D-Hamilton).

Originally vowing to continue his election campaign, Hughes released a statement on Wednesday, March 8. “I’ve said throughout this campaign that I’ve never run against a fellow Democrat, and despite the fact that I’m being challenged in this race, it has become clear that the best path forward for Mercer Democrats is for me to step aside,” he said. “I do not make this decision lightly, after more than 20 years in public office fighting for this county and every last resident.”

Benson issued a statement thanking Hughes for his public service. “I appreciate his outreach to me and his offer of support and assistance,” he said. “With the path ahead clear, it’s time for our party to come together. I’m excited to work with all of Mercer County to build the next chapter in county government.”

Hughes is the son of former Governor and Supreme Court Chief Justice Richard J. Hughes, and has lived in Mercer County most of his life, both in Trenton and in Princeton. Prior to becoming county executive, he served as deputy executive director of the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse. more

Housing Initiatives of Princeton Embarks On “Ambitious” Plan to Expand Services

By Wendy Greenberg

Even for someone on the verge of homelessness, affordable housing is not just a simple matter of signing up. Qualifying may depend on income level, getting a degree, building a credit score, or obtaining a car to get to a job.

A newly adopted Housing Initiatives of Princeton (HIP) strategic plan charts a three-year path that will enable more clients to navigate the complex process. 

“We have seen the transformational effect we’ve had on families’ lives and most significantly on the futures of the children,” said HIP Board Chair Liz Lempert in a press release. Although HIP has depended on a “scrappy and all-volunteer past,” she said, the organization is “compelled to take our service to a new level in order to respond to the overwhelming need resulting from the current housing crisis and the economic traumatic effect of the pandemic.”  more

Sustainability, Conservation Take the Screen At Library’s Environmental Film Festival

“PATH OF THE PANTHER”: The documentary directed by Eric Bendick is one of 22 films illuminating a range of environmental issues that will be shown at the Princeton Environmental Film Festival March 24 to 31.

By Wendy Greenberg

Outdoor lighting pollution, protecting the elusive Florida panther, and threats to the Amazon ecosystem are subjects of some of the story-driven films that will be part of the 17th annual Princeton Environmental Film Festival (PEFF). The festival, which will be held March 24 to 31, is a signature event of the Princeton Public Library.

The 22 films, including 11 feature-length documentaries and 11 short films (one is a short narrative film), will be screened in person in the library’s Community Room and virtually, with some films available in both formats. Selections being screened virtually will be available to view through April 2. One film will be screened at the Princeton Garden Theatre on March 30.

“The films get better and better,” said Susan Conlon, festival co-director with Kim Dorman, both library staff members. “The public seems more interested in documentary films. The films are stronger and better and the public has an appetite for them.”

The festival also serves to make connections to organizations. “Many times after a film, a viewer will say, ‘What can I do?’ and will try to connect with a nonprofit organization, so they are learning about the topic and making community connections,” said Dorman. more

Busy Beavers Present Challenges Close to Areas with Human Activity

BUSY VOLUNTEERS: A volunteer at Friends of Princeton Open Space (FOPOS) paints a latex paint and sand mixture on trees to prevent damage from beavers’ sharp teeth, at Pettoranello Gardens. The municipality of Princeton and FOPOS have worked together to find a solution to challenges presented by the beaver population felling trees.

By Wendy Greenberg

A robust area beaver population provides an ecological benefit, but also presents challenges to open spaces, as the beavers’ sharp teeth can fell a variety of trees, sometimes causing flooding in urbanized areas.

While damming streams to create ponds for building away from human activity can result in more ecological growth by providing a healthier riparian buffer and bird habitat, chewing on softwood and hardwood tree species where human activity and infrastructure are present has been problematic, according to Friends of Princeton Open Space (FOPOS), a longtime nonprofit group that supports space for preservation and protecting natural resources. This activity has occurred in Pettoranello Gardens, and more recently in adjoining Mountain Lakes Preserve. more

“Seniors for Seniors” Program Pairs Members of Two Generations

By Anne Levin

A program developed during the pandemic targets seniors of two generations — those in their final year of high school, and those who were in high school decades ago.

“Seniors for Seniors” was initiated by students at Corner House, pairing one member of each generation with one from the other. Still going strong in its third year, the program has fostered warm relationships that are valued by both.

“It’s so heartwarming to hear their stories,” said Riva Levy, prevention coordinator at Corner House, which prevents and treats alcohol and drug addiction among teenagers. “It’s amazing how well it works.”

When the pandemic shut down schools and community centers, Teen Leadership students at Corner House were looking for ways to stay connected. Members of the Student Board came up with the idea of pairing students from area high schools with members of the Princeton Senior Resource Center. more

PU to Make Voluntary Contributions to PPS

Princeton University has announced that it will contribute more than $14.6 million to Princeton Public Schools (PPS) over the next five years. The annual voluntary contributions will exceed the amount the schools received from voluntary property tax payments the University made in previous years.

For decades, the University has voluntarily paid taxes on properties that were eligible for exemption from taxes under state law. The University has now claimed, and was granted, tax exemption for certain properties previously left voluntarily on the tax rolls.

To make up the lost property tax revenue, Princeton will contribute $2,250,000 to the Princeton Public Schools this year and intends to increase the amount annually by 4 percent. The contribution will also include an additional $500,000 each year to help fund strategic priorities identified in the district’s strategic plan. For 2023, the total contribution will be $2,750,000.

The timing of the University’s contribution coincides with the finalization of the school district’s strategic planning process. The PPS administration has identified recurring and one-time expenditures that will enable the district to meet goals focusing on mental health, enrichment, high performance systems, and evidence-based staffing.  more

Shakespearean Serendipity On the Ides of March

By Stuart Mitchner

Brutus is Shakespeare’s first intellectual, and the enigmas of his nature are multiform.

—Harold Bloom

Since Bill Nighy’s Oscar-nominated performance in Living is fresh in my mind, I’m beginning with him instead of Julius Caesar, who was assassinated on this day, the Ides of March, 44 BC. Nighy’s one of those actors who is always worth watching and listening to, like James Mason, whose only Best Actor nomination was for his role in A Star Is Born (1955), two years after he played Brutus in MGM’s Julius Caesar. Close your eyes and listen and these are two of the rare actors in film you can hear, so distinctive are their voices and ways of speaking. And in Living, Nighy sings! The film would be worth seeing if only for the moment the terminally ill character he plays comes to life singing the Scottish folk song, “The Rowan Tree.”  more

Princeton Symphony Orchestra Presents Unique World Premiere

By Nancy Plum

This past weekend, Princeton Symphony Orchestra presented the world premiere of a piece featuring instruments rarely heard in orchestral works. Led by guest conductor Sameer Patel, the Orchestra performed American composer and violinist William Harvey’s Seven Decisions of Gandhi with the composer as violin soloist, musical artist Dibyarka Chatterjee playing the Hindustani tabla, with the added orchestral color of the sitar, played by Snehesh Nag. Saturday night’s performance (the concert was repeated Sunday afternoon) teamed Harvey’s work with late 19th-century Russian music of Alexander Borodin and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, taking the audience at Richardson Auditorium on a musical ride of dynamic contrasts and rich orchestral writing.  more

A Teenager Meets a Mysterious Friend at Rehab Camp in “Clean Slate”; Passage Theatre Partners with Rider to Present World Premiere Musical

“CLEAN SLATE”: Rider University and Passage Theatre presented “Clean Slate” March 10-12. Written by Kate Brennan and David Lee White, and directed by Artistic Director C. Ryanne Domingues, the musical will be available to stream March 21-26. Above, rehabilitation camp participant Andi (Ellie Pearlman, left) meets Cassie (Rylee Carpenter) from another time — and the two discover that they share a crucial bond. (Photo by Pete Borg. Courtesy of Rider University)

By Donald H. Sanborn III

Passage Theatre has partnered with Rider University to present a world premiere musical, Clean Slate. The book is by David Lee White; the music and lyrics are by Kate Brennan. Artistic Director C. Ryanne Domingues directs the production, which was staged at Rider University two weeks before its presentation at Passage.

A feisty, embittered thief, 17-year-old Andi (portrayed by Ellie Pearlman) is sent to a rehabilitation camp, Clean Slate, when her overwhelmed foster mothers Sarah (Miriam White) and Gina (Jessy Gruver) no longer know how to discipline her.

Andi is not the character’s real name. Like all participants at Clean Slate, she is assigned a nickname on arrival, to protect her privacy. Per camp tradition, the nicknames are based on Greek mythology.  more

Jupiter Ensemble Performs at Richardson Auditorium

MAKING A LOCAL DEBUT: The Jupiter Ensemble is “All Vivaldi” at a concert presented by Princeton University Concerts March 30. (Photo by Angeline Moizard)

The members of the Jupiter Ensemble make their debut at Princeton University Concerts (PUC) with an “All Vivaldi” concert on Thursday, March 30, at 7:30 p.m. at Richardson Auditorium, Alexander Hall.

Led by Thomas Dunford, alongside mezzo-soprano Lea Desandre, the group reimagines what an early music ensemble can be by bringing together a new generation of soloists to reveal the passionate and cutting-edge side of music written centuries ago. In this upcoming program at Princeton University Concerts, they will guide listeners through an array of Antonio Vivaldi’s baroque innovations, including music that may surprise contemporary audiences with its virtuosity. more

PHS Alumnus Stars In Off-Broadway Play

Rhys Coiro

Hollywood actor and Princeton High School alumnus (’97) Rhys Coiro is in the cast of the off-Broadway play The Coast Starlight, written by Keith Bunin and directed by Tyne Rafaefi, at Lincoln Center through April 16.

Among Coiro’s previous credits are HBO’s Entourage, the movie Hustlers, television’s Law in Order: Special Victims Unit, and the Disney TV series She Hulk: Attorney at Law. more

Jazz in June Lineup Announced by McCarter

JAZZ LEGENDS: Chucho Valdes, left, and Paquito D’Rivera are among the artists coming to McCarter Theatre this season. (Photo by OCP Photography)

McCarter Theatre has released the schedule for the returning 2023 Jazz in June festival, featuring six premiere events over three weekends.

The series begins with the 2023 Grammy Award Winner for Best New Artist, Samara Joy, on Friday, June 2. The full roster includes Chuco Valdes and Paquito D’Rivera on Friday, June 9; 19-year-old piano virtuoso Joey Alexander on Saturday, June 10; Blue Note tenor saxophonist Melissa Aldana on Friday, June 16; and composer Maria Schneider and her 18-member ensemble on Saturday, June 17. Concerts begin at 8 p.m. more

Princeton University Concerts Presents Celebrated Duo

AN ANTICIPATED DEBUT: Delayed by the pandemic, star violinist Alina Ibragimova, left, appears with pianist Cedric Tiberghien at Richardson Auditorium on April 6 at 7:30 p.m.

U.K.-based violinist Alina Ibragimova is one of the few European violin stars to not have appeared on the Princeton University Concerts (PUC) series. Her recital debut, delayed for several years by the pandemic, will finally take place on Thursday, April 6, at 7:30 p.m. at Richardson Auditorium, with pianist Cédric Tiberghien.

The duo has existed since 2005 when they were in their early 20s as BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists. At Princeton, they will perform Robert Schumann’s first two violin sonatas interspersed with Felix Mendelssohn’s Violin Sonata in F Minor, Opus 4, which he wrote when he was just 14; and Anton Webern’s Four Pieces for Violin and Piano, Opus 7. more

Ensemble From Zurich Performs Range of Works

HOPE AND MORE: Violinist Daniel Hope and the Zurich Chamber Orchestra come to State Theatre New Jersey March 21.

State Theatre New Jersey presents Daniel Hope with Zurich Chamber Orchestra on Tuesday, March 21 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $17.50-$70.

Music Director and violinist Hope leads the 76-year-old music institution, Zurich Chamber Orchestra (ZCO). A protégé of violinist/conductor Yehudi Menuhin, Hope is the first instrumentalist to be named music director of the ZCO. Conducting from the violin, Hope leads the orchestra in a program featuring Ralph Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending; “Waltz of Moment” from Silent Music by Ukrainian composer Valentin Silvestrov; as well as Elgar’s Introduction and Allegro and Mendelssohn’s D minor violin concerto. The program ends with Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for String Orchestra.  more