Justin Austin, baritone; Howard Watkins, piano
Justin Austin, a baritone praised for his powerful, nuanced voice and charismatic stage presence, makes his Philadelphia Chamber Music Society debut with Howard Watkins, a distinguished pianist, vocal collaborator, and assistant conductor at the Metropolitan Opera. Their recital centers on music from Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht’s *The Threepenny Opera*, the 1928 satirical, jazz-influenced work that critiques unchecked capitalism.
The program also ranges across several genres, including a Walt Whitman poem set by Weill after his emigration to the United States and two songs by Ricky Ian Gordon, one reflecting on the tragic death of singer Marvin Gaye. The performance is presented under the title *Don’t Be Angry!* and includes music by Weill and Brecht, Ravel, Wolf, Bienert, Ricky Ian Gordon, and Owens.
When: Friday, November 6, 2026
Showtime: 7:30 p.m.
Venue: Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center, 300 South Broad Street, Philadelphia
Performers: Justin Austin, baritone; Howard Watkins, piano
Program: Selections from *The Threepenny Opera* by Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht, a Weill setting of a Walt Whitman poem, and two songs by Ricky Ian Gordon. The announced program also includes works by Ravel, Wolf, Bienert, and Owens.
Run time: Approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes, including intermission
Pre-Concert Talk: Michael Bolton leads a talk on Friday, November 6, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in Comcast Circle.
Masterclass: Justin Austin presents a career discussion at the Academy of Vocal Arts on Friday, November 6, 2026, at 2:30 p.m.
Justin Austin: Austin is a Drama Desk Award-nominated baritone, a 2024 International Opera Awards Rising Star of the Year, and recipient of the 2024 Marian Anderson Vocal Award. His recent and upcoming work includes appearances with San Francisco Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Washington National Opera, New York Festival of Song, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, the Metropolitan Opera, LA Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and Carnegie Hall. His repertoire spans opera, oratorio, musical theater, jazz, R&B, and new music. He has also collaborated with artists including Ricky Ian Gordon, Wynton Marsalis, Mary J. Blige, Elton John, Lauryn Hill, The Roots, and Aretha Franklin. Born in Stuttgart, Germany, Austin studied at the Choir Academy of Harlem, LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, Heidelberg Lied Akademie, and Manhattan School of Music. He is mentored by Catherine Malfitano.
Howard Watkins: Watkins is an American pianist who regularly collaborates with leading singers and serves as an assistant conductor at the Metropolitan Opera. His international appearances have included work with Renée Fleming, Joyce DiDonato, Diana Damrau, Thomas Hampson, Kathleen Battle, Grace Bumbry, Anna Netrebko, and Matthew Polenzani. He has performed at venues including Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, the Kennedy Center, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Elbphilharmonie, and the Bolshoi Theater. Watkins has held teaching and coaching affiliations with Juilliard, the Bard College Conservatory of Music, the Yale School of Music, the Merola program of San Francisco Opera, the Santa Fe Opera Apprentice Program, and other vocal and opera training programs. He earned a doctorate in accompanying and chamber music from the University of Michigan and received the 2019 Lift Every Voice Legacy Award from the National Opera Association.
Ages: No age restriction is stated.
Accessibility: For questions about seating or accessibility, contact the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society Box Office at (215) 569-8080.
Tickets: Price not available