Classical picks: Kaufmann as 'Otello'; Phila. Young Pianists' Academy opens

Jonas Kaufmann sings Otello. The world's most charismatic tenor goes to the summit of Italian opera tenor roles - Verdi's Otello - and, luckily, a transatlantic plane ticket isn't necessary if you want to see him. His first outing with the role at London's Royal Opera House will be beamed out at 7 p.m. Tuesday to the Landmark Ritz Five theater (214 Walnut St.) in the manner of Metropolitan Opera simulcasts, though the performance was shot weeks back.

A sneak peek indicates the new production by Keith Warner is clean and simple, with handsome variations on midnight blue. Maria Agresta is anything but demure as Desdemona, and Marco Vratogna is a super-evil Iago without getting too gothic. And Jonas? Well, considering how often he cancels on the Met, this is going to be a treat for opera fans in any case. And I'll leave them to decide for themselves his merits without any influence from me. He looks great, but you could have predicted that. Information: www.landmarktheatres.com

- David Patrick Stearns
Keyboard artistry in the dead of summer. The nine-day, seven-concert Philadelphia Young Pianists' Academy opens at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Field Concert Hall (in the Curtis Institute) with a Rachmaninoff program by its founder, Taiwanese pianist Ching-Yun Hu. She's known to have the kind of virtuosic technique needed for an all-Rachmaninoff program, but this one takes some chances. Though the familiar Piano Sonata No. 2 is on the first half, the second half is occupied by Études Tableaux, played complete. Also included: Rachmaninoff's transcription of Bach's Partita No. 3 for Violin. Tickets: $12.50-$25. Information: pypa.info. - D.P.S.