The St. Paul-based Schubert Club has once more signed up top musical talent for its International Artist Series at the Ordway Center.

Anthony Ross, the fearless principal cellist with the Minnesota Orchestra, gets to show off his considerable skill on Prokofiev's Sinfonia concertante for Cello and Orchestra.

The Minot Public Schools will present the Magic City Jazz Festival beginning at 7 p.m. Friday in Minot State University's Ann Nicole Nelson Hall.

The Overture to Richard Strauss ' final opera, "Capriccio," is a string sextet being performed for the opera's characters in the setting of an elegant salon.

Three species of Russian-ness are on offer at this week's concerts by the Minnesota Orchestra and rising conductor James Gaffigan .

There's just not enough laughter in classical concert halls. That's one reason the whole concert experience has long been a prime target for silly satire, with everyone from the Marx Brothers to Victor Borge to Anna Russell to P.D.Q. Bach taking aim at the formality onstage and the haughtiness in the house.

The Minnesota Orchestra has announced a 2012-13 season that will be held largely in the auditorium of the Minneapolis Convention Center, while Orchestra Hall is renovated and expanded.

Photo: # Maiya Papach, Steve Copes and Ron Thomas; Tony Ross, Ruggero Allifranchini of the chamber group Accordo.

Ellen Dinwiddie Smith has always reveled in the joy of making music. "Great art and beauty, that's what we all strive for," the Edina resident said.

Let's put this right up front: numerical ratings of record reviews are specious at best.