LA Chamber Orch GALA Celebrates 50th, Fetes Founding Families, Features Concert & More

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) celebrates its 50th anniversary season and its distinguished roots with "The Golden Gala," a spectacular fundraiser, on Saturday, April 14, 2018, 5 pm, including an historic concert at the Mark Taper Forum, the theatre where LACO began its journey 50 years ago, followed by a sumptuous dinner and after-party at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

The black-tie party honors the families of LACO'S founding members James Arkatov, Joseph Troy, Sir Neville Marriner and Richard D. Colburn, each of whom helped create "America's finest chamber orchestra" (Public Radio International). An elegant cocktail reception with hors d'oeuvres and silent auction launch the evening at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, followed by a musical program at the Mark Taper Forum that includes the world premiere of a new orchestration of former LACO Composer-in-Residence Derek Bermel's Tag Rag and works by Mozart and Prokofiev performed by LACO with special guest clarinetist Andrew Marriner, son of LACO's first music director, Sir Neville Marriner, as well as, in a nod to LACO's roots in the film recording industry, a selection of songs from the Golden Age of Hollywood, featuring actress/vocalist Rumer Willis.

"The Golden Gala," which benefits LACO's artistic and education activities, continues at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion with a sumptuous dinner capped by yet more festivities. Gala tickets (beginning at $750), which include the entire event, and concert-only tickets ($110), which also include a champagne toast, are available. Sandy and Pat Gage co-chair the event; honorary co-chairs are James and Salome Arkatov, Carol Colburn Grigor, Lady Molly Marriner and Brigitta B. Troy.

In addition to Bermel's Tag Rag, described as a "snappy, pop inspired (work)...full of merry percussion effects" (Los Angeles Times), the classic portion of the full-length concert includes the first movement of Mozart's Clarinet Concerto in A major, one of the composer's crowning achievements, featuring Andrew Marriner, and Prokofiev's Symphony No. 1, "Classical," long a beloved staple of LACO's repertoire. For the Hollywood musical segment, Willis performs with both LACO and her own band.

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO), ranked among the world's top musical ensembles, marks its 50th anniversary in the 2017-18 season. Beloved by audiences and praised by critics, the Orchestra is known as a preeminent interpreter of historical masterworks as well as a champion of contemporary composers. Headquartered in the heart of the country's cultural capital, LACO has been proclaimed "America's finest chamber orchestra" (Public Radio International), "LA's most unintimidating chamber music experience" (Los Angeles Magazine), "resplendent" (Los Angeles Times), and "one of the world's great chamber orchestras"(KUSC Classical FM). LACO, which performs throughout greater Los Angeles, has garnered eight ASCAP Awards for Adventurous Programming. Jaime Martín is Music Director Designate.

Tickets are available online at laco.org, or by calling LACO at 213 622 7001.

For information about the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra's 2017-18 season or to order tickets, please call 213 622 7001, or visit www.laco.org.

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