PORTLAND – The University of Southern Maine School of Music will present a special encore performance of soprano Judith James and pianist Edward Reichert performing their “Weill Things Are Happening!” Thursday, Feb. 26, at the Portland Museum of Art.

This concert was first presented in November as part of the faculty concert series at the University of Southern Maine School of Music. It was scheduled to be repeated at the Chocolate Church in Bath in January, but had to be postponed.

Kurt Weill was a 20th century composer. Well-known as a collaborator of Bertoldt Brecht and husband of singer Lotte Lenya, Weill fled the Nazis in 1933 and, after a two-year stay in Paris, traveled to the United States to write for the New York stage. He and his many lyricists responded to war, destruction of the environment, racism and poverty – and also to courage and love.

The two musicians will perform his songs in German and English from the 1920s and in French from the 1930s including “Pirate Jenny” from “Three Penny Opera” and “Alabama Song” from “The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny.” Songs on the second half include those written for the New York stage, including “The Saga of Jenny” and “This is New” from the “Lady in the Dark” (1941) and four songs from “One Touch of Venus” (1944).

Tickets are $12 for the general public, $9 for seniors and alumni, and $7 for students. People can call the box office at 780-5555.

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