Summer Serenades New Yorkers (c) By Polly Guerin

Let there be Chocolate Soldiers, let there be music everywhere. The concrete jungle softens its architectural wonders with musical serenades to give pleasure to native New Yorkers and tourists too. With concerts in gardens and operas, French balladeers breeze in with a bit of fresh air to cool off summer’s sizzling days. Here’s the scoop!!!

THE CHOCOLATE SOLDIER
The 1908 light opera by Oscar Straus based on George Bernard Shaw’s Arms and the Man is a merry romp, a fusion of Viennese operetta and British wit that is sure to charm your creative sensibilities. This comic tale, a boy-meets-girl scenario concerns a handsome deserter who takes refuge in the household of a Bulgarian general and sets all the women aflutter including Nadia the general’s daughter. August 12-14, at 8pm and August 11,14 and 15, at 3 pm. Fisher Center at Bard College www.fishercenter.bard.edu.
WATERLILY CONCERTS
The New York Botanical Garden invites you to listen to the importance of food choices and enjoy after hours viewing of the Edible Garden until 7 pm, followed by a delightful summer concert. Bring a blanket and stretch out under the evening sky. Pack a light repast or purchase a picnic basket complete with beer or wine, crudités, and fruit. Dates: Thursday August 12 and August 29. Adults $10, Seniors/Students $9, children 2-12 $4. Members Free. www.nybg.org.
BRYANT PARK READING ROOM
Step into a tranquil place in the heat of the city, the host site of presentations by authors and poets at 42nd St. Get into the swing Wednesday, August 11th, 12:30 pm. when Word for Word author, Terry Teachout presents his book “Pops: A Life of Louis Armstrong,” a portrait of the man behind the music. Sit back and make yourself at home with the music of this legendary jazz master as told by drama and music critic of the Wall Street Journal. Blog.bryantpark.org.
FRENCH CHANSON
Arnaud Fluerent-Didier, a multi-instrumentalist strums up with a taste for 1970s synthesized sounds, owes much to Michel Legrand and the band AIR. His song “France-Culture,’ from his latest album is a headliner. While the music is solidly anchored in its time, the lyrics are a bridge to pre-1968 preoccupations and are reminiscent of the literary dialogue of early Eric Rohmer movies. In the MOMA sculpture garden. Sets performed 5:30 and 7 pm. Cocktails and wine available as well as ice cream treats. www.moma.org.
Ta Ta darlings!!! The fresh air under the cool summer night is enticing reason to hear glorious music all summer. Email pollytalk@verizon.net.
Blogs: http://www.womendeterminedtosucceed.blogspot.com. Fashion friends go to http://www.thefashionhistorian.blogspot.com.