I'm playing (in) a concert at the church hall next weekend.

[sitifan]

I'm playing in a concert at the church hall next weekend. (my bold)
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/concert
Is the preposition "in" optional or obligatory in the above sentence?

 

[Rover_KE]

I’d say it’s obligatory.

 

[sitifan]

I’d say it’s obligatory.

At one point, I had the audacity to think I could play a perfect concert. (my bold)
Is there any difference in meaning between "play a concert" and "play in a concert"?

 

[Rover_KE]

Is he a native English-speaker?

I’d say ‘… give a perfect recital.’

 

[sitifan]

Is he a native English-speaker? I’d say ‘… give a perfect recital.’

World-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma's English is as good as anyone's.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yo-Yo_Ma

 

[Rover_KE]

As a solo performer, I'd still say '... give a recital'. As a member of an orchestra, I'd say ' ... play in a concert'.

 

[jutfrank]

Is there any difference in meaning between "play a concert" and "play in a concert"?

There certainly is, yes. Think about it and tell us what you think Yo-Yo Ma means.

 

[sitifan]

There certainly is, yes. Think about it and tell us what you think Yo-Yo Ma means.

As a solo performer, '... play a concert'. As a member of an orchestra, ' ... play in a concert'.

 

[jutfrank]

As a solo performer, '... play a concert'. As a member of an orchestra, ' ... play in a concert'.

Good, though it's not essential that he has to be playing solo. It could mean that he's a leading instrumentalist.

When Yo-Yo says 'play a perfect concert', he's think of the concert as the music itself. He's talking about playing the music perfectly.

 

[sitifan]

When Yo-Yo says 'play a perfect concert', he's think of the concert as the music itself. He's talking about playing the music perfectly.

A typo?

 

[Tarheel]

A typo?

Yes, it should be "he's thinking of ...."