OPERA - LOS ANGELES

LA Opera's HANSEL AND GRETEL Features 39 Members Of LA Children's Chorus
by A.A. Cristi - November 9, 2018

Some 39 members of Los Angeles Children's Chorus (LACC), one of the world's leading children's choirs, are featured in LA Opera's production of Humperdinck's enchanting Hansel and Gretel conducted by James Conlon and starring mezzo-soprano Susan Graham (The Witch), mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke (Hansel) and soprano Liv Redpath (Gretel). The production runs for six performances from November 17 to December 15, 2018, at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. LACC's new Artistic Director, Fernando Malvar-Ruiz, prepared the young choristers for their roles as the gingerbread children, noted for the purity of their sound and intricate four-part harmony. A perennial favorite, Hansel and Gretel, based on the beloved Brothers Grimm tale and sung in English, features a magical score and plot and is considered to be the composer's best-known work. 

BWW Interview: Julie Makerov and the Fine Art of Balancing Music and Life
by Ellen Dostal - November 5, 2018

How does a busy soprano balance career, family, motherhood, and art? If that soprano is Julie Makerov, it's all about scheduling and planning ahead of time. Makerov, who will be appearing as one of four soloists with LA's Verdi Chorus this weekend at First United Methodist Church in Santa Monica, says that's the key to managing all of her commitments.

BWW Review: LA TRAVIATA at Thorne Hall Occidental College
by Maria Nockin - October 29, 2018

On Sunday October 28, 2018, Pacific Opera Project (POP) presented Giuseppe Verdi's well-loved opera, LA TRAVIATA to a full house at Occidental College's Thorne Hall in Pasadena. Director and Designer Josh Shaw presented a traditional production with a unit set that spoke of flowers and the beauty of the earth despite the terrors of disease in the 19th century.

Long Beach Opera's Three Tales At The Ernest Borgnine Theater
by A.A. Cristi - October 8, 2018

Three Tales by Steve Reich, with visuals by Beryl Korot, will open the Long Beach Opera's 40th Anniversary Season, for two performances Saturday, November 3 at 6pm and Sunday, November 4 at 2:30pm at the Ernest Borgnine Theater, Scottish Rite Event Center, in Long Beach, CA.  The production is sung in English, and is conducted by Andreas Mitisek. Three Tales will serve as the centerpiece to Long Beach Opera's 40th anniversary Gala, which will take place following the performance on November 3rd.      

BWW Review: DON CARLO at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
by Maria Nockin - September 23, 2018

Los Angeles Opera assembled an all-star cast for its opening night revival of Verdi's DON CARLO on September 22, 2018. James Conlon led approximately 75 musicians as they embarked on another excursion into the dark world of sixteenth century Spain and the Inquisition. Verdi's DON CARLO tells a fascinating tale that is not quite historically accurate but makes good drama.

The Verdi Chorus 35th Anniversary Season Ends with PASSIONE! OPERA!
by A.A. Cristi - September 21, 2018

The Verdi Chorus 35th anniversary season culminates with its Fall 2018 concert Passione! Opera! for two performances only at the First United Methodist Church in Santa Monica on November 10 and 11 led by Founding Artistic Director Anne Marie Ketchum.   As the only choral group in Southern California that focuses primarily on the dramatic and diverse music for opera chorus, this program, which marks the end of a landmark year for the company, will feature selections from three Verdi operas - Aida, Don Carlo, and the famed chorus 'Va, pensiero,' from Nabucco, as well as operatic sequences from Boito's Mefistofele, Saint-Saens' Samson and Delilah, Catalani's La Wally and Offenbach's The Tales of Hoffmann.

Sonya Yoncheva Kicks Off Celebrity Opera Series At The Broad Stage
by A.A. Cristi - September 6, 2018

The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage's 2018-19 Celebrity Opera Series opens with one of the most acclaimed sopranos in the world, Sonya Yoncheva, with Domingo Hindoyan, conductor, on Wednesday, November 7 at 7:30pm.  Zachary Woolfe said in The New York Times, "Yoncheva is a performer that I'd seek out, no matter what she does."  Tickets for members are now on sale.  Tickets for the general public will go on sale on Wednesday, September 12.

LA Opera Presents DON CARLO Starring Placido Domingo
by A.A. Cristi - August 27, 2018

Placido Domingo, LA Opera's Eli and Edythe Broad General Director, has announced final details about the company's season-opening presentation of Giuseppe Verdi's monumental Don Carlo.

Overtone Presents New Ritualistic Opera CYNOSEMMA
by Stephi Wild - August 3, 2018

Overtone Industries, in collaboration with By The Souls of Our Feet (BTSOOF), is proud to present Part I of their epic tale, Cynosemma: A Dirge from the Dog's Tomb, running for four performances over the weekend of Friday, August 17th through Sunday, August 19, 2018. Co-Directed by Nathan Singh and Sabina Zuniga Varela with music by O-Lan Jones and libretto by Megan Breen, Cynosemma is a ritualistic opera ripped from the myth of Hecuba. Part I is a ceremonial exploration of the ancient but immediate clash between possession and liberation. The infamous Queen of Troy (played by Jones), along with her daughters and a tribe of women face off with the men responsible for the fall of their city. The limited engagement will take place at Son of Semele (3301 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90004). Audience members are invited to stay afterwards for refreshments and a post-show symposium. For additional information, please visit http://www.overtoneindustries.org/current_productions.

LA Opera Presents Free Live Simulcast Of DON CARLO In Two Locations
by Stephi Wild - August 1, 2018

Back by popular demand, LA Opera's fifth season of annual live simulcasts-Opera in the Park and Opera at the Beach-will continue at two locations this year. At 6pm on September 22, 2018, LA Opera's season-opening performance of Giuseppe Verdi's Don Carlo will be transmitted live in high-definition video from nine cameras at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion to large LED screens at El Cariso Community Regional Park (13100 Hubbard Street, Sylmar CA 91342) and at Santa Monica Pier (200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, 90401). The performance stars Placido Domingo, the company's Eli and Edythe Broad General Director, as Rodrigo, and will be conducted by James Conlon, LA Opera's Richard Seaver Music Director.

Audra McDonald Returns to LA Opera May 20
by Julie Musbach - May 9, 2018

The multitalented Audra McDonald, winner of a record six Tony Awards, will return to Los Angeles in concert with the LA Opera Orchestra. The concert will take place at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion (135 North Grand Avenue, Los Angeles CA 90012) on Sunday, May 20, at 3pm.

BWW Interview: THE VERDI CHORUS, A Musical Family Related by the Love of Opera
by Ellen Dostal - April 18, 2018

For the past 35 years, members of The Verdi Chorus have celebrated their shared love of music, and their ability to raise those goosebumps, by lifting their voices in song. This spring, they will mark their milestone anniversary with two special concerts on April 28th and 29th at the First United Methodist Church in Santa Monica. On the program: nothing less than four passion-filled scenes by Verdi from La Forza del Destino, Nabucco, and La Traviata, plus a big finish from Johann Strauss' effervescent operetta, Die Fledermaus.

LA Opera Announces Casting Updates For RIGOLETTO
by Julie Musbach - March 16, 2018

LA Opera has announced two cast changes for its upcoming production of Rigoletto (May 12 through June 3, 2018).

LA Opera Presents New Production Of ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE Featuring The Joffrey Ballet
by Julie Musbach - February 20, 2018

Plácido Domingo, LA Opera's Eli and Edythe Broad General Director, has announced final details about the company's spring presentation of Christoph Willibald Gluck's landmark masterpiece, Orpheus and Eurydice, which will be conducted by James Conlon, the company's Richard Seaver Music Director. The new production, created by LA Opera in collaboration with Lyric Opera of Chicago and the Hamburg Staatsoper, is directed, choreographed and designed by John Neumeier and will feature the entire company of the Joffrey Ballet, one of the world's great dance companies.

LA Opera Adds Matinee Performance of CANDIDE
by Julie Musbach - January 29, 2018

Due to ticket demand, LA Opera has scheduled an additional matinee performance of Candide, Leonard Bernstein's 1956 Broadway classic. The added performance will take place on Saturday, February 17, at 2pm.

BWW Review: CANDIDE at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
by Maria Nockin - January 29, 2018

On January 27, 2018, Los Angeles Opera presented the Bernstein work at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion with a cast that included Emmy-winning television star Kelsey Grammer. He is best remembered for his two-decade-long portrayal of psychiatrist Dr. Frasier Crane on the situation comedies Cheers, Wings, and Frasier. As Voltaire and Pangloss, Grammer had a huge speaking role that he acquitted with a commanding personality and considerable wit. Surprisingly, he sang quite well, too.

Renee Fleming Returns to LA Opera in Recital
by Julie Musbach - January 24, 2018

LA Opera will present one of the most acclaimed singers of our time, superstar soprano Ren e Fleming, who will return to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion for a recital with pianist Hartmut H ll at 7:30pm on Tuesday, February 6, 2018. In addition, on February 5, Ms. Fleming will help launch LA Opera's Music and the Mind/LA, a program that explores and educates people about the benefits of music to one's health.

Full Cast and Creative Announced for CANDIDE Starring Grammer and Ebersole
by Julie Musbach - January 9, 2018

General Director Pl cido Domingo has announced final details about LA Opera's company premiere of Candide, Leonard Bernstein's 1956 musical comedy classic. Music Director James Conlon will conduct a cast led by Emmy winner Kelsey Grammer and Tony winner Christine Ebersole, both making their company debuts. Performances take place at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion (135 North Grand Avenue, Los Angeles CA 90012).

Christine Ebersole Joins Kelsey Grammer and More in CANDIDE at LA Opera
by BWW News Desk - October 26, 2017

Broadway legend Christine Ebersole will make her LA Opera debut in the company's 2018 production of Candide, composer Leonard Bernstein's 1956 Broadway classic.

LA Opera Off Grand to Present LA BELLE ET LA BETE with Live Performance of Philip Glass Score
by BWW News Desk - October 16, 2017

From October 28 through 31, LA Opera presents a special Halloween treat for cinephiles and opera lovers alike: a screening of Jean Cocteau's ravishingly beautiful 1946 cinematic masterpiece La Belle et la B te ('Beauty and the Beast'), with an enchanting Philip Glass score performed live by the Philip Glass Ensemble and four vocal soloists at the spectacular Theatre at Ace Hotel.

BWW Review: NABUCCO at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
by Maria Nockin - October 15, 2017

On Oct 14, 2017, Los Angeles Opera presented Giuseppe Verdi's third opera, NABUCCO in a new and extremely well detailed production by Thaddeus Strassberger.

BWW Review: THE PEARL FISHERS at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
by Maria Nockin - October 8, 2017

On October 7, 2017, Los Angeles Opera presented Georges Bizet's THE PEARL FISHERS starring sweet-voiced Mexican star tenor Javier Camarena as Nadir. Steel-voiced Mexican baritone Alfredo Daza, was Zurga, his rival for the hand of Leila, a beautiful priestess who had taken a vow of chastity.

BWW Review: CARMEN at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
by Maria Nockin - September 10, 2017

CARMEN, the title character in Georges Bizet's opera, is a young woman who wants the social freedoms nineteenth century men simply took for granted. Sung magnificently by Ana Maria Martinez, Carmen is suave and self-confident, but enroute to certain destruction. Currently, L A Opera is offering an excellent performance of this beloved opera that Angelinos should not miss.

L.A. Opera Opens 2017/18 Season with CARMEN
by A.A. Cristi - August 22, 2017

General Director Placido Domingo has announced that due to overwhelming ticket demand, LA Opera has added a seventh performance of the company's season-opening production of Carmen, conducted by Music Director James Conlon and starring company favorite Ana Maria Martinez. Tickets for this newly scheduled performance on September 28 are on sale as of today.

Superstar Ren e Fleming Returns to LA Opera in February
by BWW News Desk - August 11, 2017

General Director Placido Domingo announced that soprano Renee Fleming, one of the most beloved and celebrated singers of her generation, will return to LA Opera for a recital on Tuesday, February 6, 2018, joined by her frequent collaborator, pianist Hartmut Holl.


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