1. 1. “Zaide”

   August 9, 11, and 12

   Mozart’s unfinished opera is rooted in the Ottoman-era Muslim-Christian culture clash; here, Peter Sellars moves it to a sweatshop with a black and Asian cast. Louis Langrée makes his New York opera conducting debut.

2. 2. “Mozart Dances”

   August 17 to 19

   The extraordinary Mark Morris, now the festival’s unofficial choreographer, unveils his latest commission, and brings in piano legend Emanuel Ax to perform the live score.

3. 3. Magnus Lindberg

   August 22 and 23

   The increasingly popular Finnish composer’s first violin concerto, scored for Mozart-era instrumentation, features violinist Lisa Batiashvili, who has debuted with one top-tier orchestra after another this year.

4. 4. “Enlightenment”

   Through August 26

   The OpenEnded Group’s ultrasophisticated digital-art installation runs around the clock, on speakers and screens facing the plaza, as it tries to figure out the conclusion to the “Jupiter” symphony.

Related:

• Articles by Alicia Zuckerman
• Table of Contents: August 14, 2006 issue of New York | Subscribe!