Vocal focus from CCMN*
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA VOCAL EVENTS
Lauri D. Goldenhersh’s Weekly Highlights
Fancy a day trip or a little weekend away? If ever there was a week to spend a little artsy time in San Diego, this may be it. While the next two weeks will keep you plenty busy right here, you might consider heading south for now, for any of these three reasons:
First, BACH COLLEGIUM SAN DIEGO visits the year 1618, with a selection of motets from a collection called Florilegium Portense. With works by J.S. Bach, Schelle, Lasso, Gabrieli, Hassler, Handl, Viadana, and both Hieronymous and Michael Praetorius. Two performances, Friday 2/7 and Saturday 2/8, at two venues in San Diego. Get tickets and details
Second, SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY offers up three concerts entitled “Mendelssohn’s ‘Hymn of Praise‘”, including two very special, very different works: our friend Felix’s ‘Lobgesang’ Symphony, for which the program is named, and a new commission from composer ZHAO JIPING, pairing the orchestra with acclaimed pipa player WU MAN. If you’re not yet familiar with the Chinese pipa, an instrument with a history of nearly two millennia and rapidly gaining a following in the US, this would be the perfect opportunity to check it out. The ‘Lobgesang’ features soprano HEIDI GRANT MURPHY and tenor COLIN BALZER, joined by the SAN DIEGO MASTER CHORALE and all led by conductor JAHJA LING. Learn more and get tickets
Finally, and a little further north, the LA JOLLA SYMPHONY & CHORUS presents the piano concerto by LOU HARRISON, California’s bearded compositional legend, adding this rarely-performed work to a program of Brahms and Berlioz, all conducted by STEVEN SCHICK and featuring SARAH CAHILL at the piano. Clearly, the San Diegans are collectively bucking for a creative programming award or two, bringing us good stuff in abundance. (Good news for us concert junkies!) For info on these events on Saturday and Sunday, click for the calendar listing.
Prefer to stay in LA & OC? Choose THREE MO TENORS at the Cerritos Center; the romantic ‘Serenades of Love‘ from REPERTORY OPERA COMPANY; or the touring production of ‘Rigoletto‘ from TEOTRO LIRICO D’EUROPA. You can even catch the first of LA PHIL’s Valentine’s concerts, including Berg’s unforgettable ‘Seven Early Songs‘ sung by the ethereal Swedish soprano CAMILLA TILILNG. Details for all of these events are on the calendar.
Wherever you go, do have a great week, and thank you for supporting live singing!
Lauri D. Goldenhersh
lauri@laurislist.com
