Summer’s here, and most orchestras and classical musical groups are taking a break before the concert season begins again in the fall. Pickings may be a bit slimmer for classical music during the summer, but the Seattle scene features some sizzling events this month. Here’s what’s on our radar for July:

July 2 – 29 — Now in its thirtieth year, the Seattle Chamber Music Society‘s Summer Festival has rightfully earned its place as the classical music event of the season.  The festival brings together world-class musicians and gems of the chamber repertoire for a month of spectacular concerts. This year, the festival returns to Benaroya Hall’s Nordstrom Recital Hall.

July 12 – 14 — The Seattle Symphony performs Holst’s beloved classic The Planets, accompanied by high-definition images of the solar system. Hear the dramatic work that inspired so many modern film scores, including the popular themes from Star Wars and Indiana Jones. Also on the program is Strauss’ ubiquitous Thus Spake Zarathustra and Ligeti’s Atmosphères.

July 28 — Seattle composer Nat Evans presents Blue Hour, a site-specific musical event set to coincide with sunset at Greenlake. To participate, download a pre-recorded piece onto a portable music-playing device of your choice. Then, meet with Evans and other audience members at Greenlake Park to collectively experience the music at sunset.

July 29 — Opera on Tap strikes again! This fun-loving, talented group of singers is gaining quite a reputation for bringing opera to bars around the city. This month, they’re taking over Columbia City Theater for an evening of “Pop Up Opera”.