Vocal focus from CCMN*
SOUTHERN CA VOCAL EVENTS
Lauri D. Goldenhersh’s Weekly Highlights
Fiiiiii-ga-roooooo!
Even people who have never heard an opera know Figaro’s name, thanks to Bugs Bunny and countless other pop icons. (What would classical music be without its parodies?) For the next couple of months in L.A., we can go way beyond the joke, exploring all aspects of this enigmatic and very entertaining character, as LA OPERA’s Figaro Unbound festival has started, and will soon be in full swing. This weekend, iFigaro (90210) puts Beaumarchais’ fix-it guy in a modern light and looks at immigration reform and other modern muddles, with four performances at the beautiful Barnsdall Art Center, with an Off Grand production featuring several Listers and a crop of lovely voices. The original three performances are sold out, but LAO has added a fourth on Sunday evening — get your tickets while they last!
The festival runs well into spring, with something for everyone, and as you can see, it pays to plan ahead. Learn more about Figaro Unbound and check out all of the exhibits, lectures, operas and more by choosing the “Event List” tab on this page — click here.
Want a little improv (or a lot) in your opera? OPERAWORKS brings back Arias in Motion this Saturday, as the culmination of their winter workshop intensive for professional performers. These performances are always engaging, edgy and will challenge your idea of what opera can be. There are two performances to choose from — 2pm and 7:30pm, both at Cypress Hall on the CSUN campus. Info and tickets.
WESTMINSTER CHOIR COLLEGE is touring their elite choir around the country, and they’ll be at First UMC in Pasadena on Saturday afternoon. This is a free concert, part of the “Third at First” series, which is well worth checking out as a whole. To start with this concert, click here.
Also this week, an annual concert for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in Santa Monica; a lovely program of American Standards at the beautiful Blinn House in Pasadena; RENEE FLEMING as The Merry Widow, broadcast as part of Met Live in HD (various locations); and of course, much more — check the calendar for details, yadda yadda… (You know the drill.)
This is going to be a very exciting year, with plenty to enjoy. As always, thank you for supporting live singing!
