Priority list includes Mahavishnu Orchestra’s John McLaughlin, baritone Gregory Porter, more

“La Traviata”

Fresh off appearances with the Boston Lyric Opera (in “Le Nozze de Figaro”) and concerts with the Melbourne Symphony and Chicago Philharmonic, soprano Emily Birsan takes on the coveted title role in Verdi’s opera, one of the most performed in the world. She’s joined in this Indianapolis Opera production by Gregory Turay, who originated the role of Rodolpho in Bolcom’s “A View from the Bridge.”  Nov. 17-19  The Tarkington  Details

John McLaughlin/Jimmy Herring: “Meeting of the Spirits”

Not to be confused with local favorite Jon McLaughlin, Mahavishnu Orchestra’s John McLaughlin is joined on tour by his guitarist compatriot Herring, who has played with the Allman Brothers, Widespread Panic and others. Here, they’ll each play a set, then join forces on Mahavishnu Orchestra material. The 4th Dimension backs them up. Nov. 19 Clowes Memorial Hall  Details

Gregory Porter
A tender baritone combined with accomplished original songs led Porter to the 2014 Grammy win for Best Jazz Vocal Album after a string of nominations for earlier recordings. Nov. 18  The Palladium  Details

Also this week

The Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra performs Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony at the Schrott Center Nov. 18.

The Indianapolis Museum of Art offers its holiday extravaganza Winterlights Nov. 19-Jan. 4.

Scotty McCreery, Lindsay Eli, and Michael Tyler are all part of Hankfest, Sept. 19 at Indiana Farmers Coliseum.

Novelist T.C. Boyle speaks at the Schrott Center Nov. 14.

The Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site hosts a Civil War Dinner Nov. 15.

Pianist Sean Chen performs at the Indiana Landmarks Center Nov. 19.