LACO Announces 'LACO à la Carte' Series

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) presents the third of five elegant and intimate "LACO à la carte" fundraising events pairing delectable international cuisine and exclusive musical performances in the spectacular private homes of members of the region's international community.

"BELGIUM à la carte" takes place at the Hancock Park residence of The Honorable Greet Criel, Consul General of Belgium, and his wife, Elisabetta, on Friday, October 28, 2011, 7 pm. The evening features an all-Baroque program by LACO members Julie Gigante, violin, Trevor Handy, cello, and Patricia Mabee, harpsichord, celebrating their 25th, 10th and 35th LACO anniversaries, respectively. Belgian beer and chocolate will add a flavorful dimension to the evening's sumptuous buffet dinner, reflecting Belgium's status as the capital of chocolate and its unparalleled reputation for specialty beers of which the country produces over 450 different varieties.

Other "LACO à la carte" events this season are being held in the homes of the consuls general of Australia, Azerbaijan and Austria as well as LACO board member Ahmad Gramian and his wife, Haleh. Adding a special flourish, each event features a different style of cuisine complimented by a salon performance by LACO members and guest artists. "LACO à la Carte" is chaired by LACO board member Mahnaz Newman and this season celebrates, among numerous musician milestone anniversaries, Music Director Jeffrey Kahane's 15th with the Orchestra.

"LACO à la Carte" is generously sponsored by LACO president K. Eugene Shutler and board members Ahmad and Haleh Gramian, Ann Moore Mulally, Mahnaz and David Newman; and Ned and Dana Newman.

Tickets are $200 per person. "LACO à la Carte" events are on sale now and may be purchased by calling Maya at 213 622 7001 x 3. Details are available at www.laco.org/events.

LOS ANGELES CHAMBER ORCHESTRA (LACO), proclaimed "America's finest chamber orchestra" by Public Radio International, has established itself among the world's top musical ensembles. Since 1997, LACO has performed under the baton of acclaimed conductor and pianist Jeffrey Kahane, hailed by critics as "visionary" and "a conductor of uncommon intellect, insight and musical integrity" with "undeniable charisma." Under Kahane's leadership, the Orchestra maintains its status as a preeminent interpreter of historical masterworks and a champion of contemporary composers.

During its 43-year history, the Orchestra has made 30 recordings, toured Europe, South America and Japan, performed across North America, earning adulation from audiences and critics alike, and garnered seven ASCAP Awards for Adventurous Programming. Headquartered in downtown Los Angeles, LACO presents seven Orchestral Series concerts at both Glendale's Alex Theatre and UCLA's Royce Hall, five Baroque Conversations concerts at downtown Los Angeles' Zipper Concert Hall, three Westside Connections chamber music concerts at The Broad Stage in Santa Monica, three Family Concerts at the Alex Theatre and an annual Discover concert at Pasadena's Ambassador Auditorium. In addition, LACO presents a Concert Gala, an annual Silent Film screening at Royce Hall and several fundraising salons each year.