Vocal focus from CCMN*
SOUTHERN CA VOCAL EVENTS
Lauri D. Goldenhersh’s Weekly Highlights
Happy New Year!
Things are still pretty quiet, but there are a few events this weekend to take particular notice of:
The LA PHIL brings out the big guns for Beethoven’s ‘Missa Solemnis’ at Disney Hall, conducted by MICHAEL TILSON THOMAS, featuring the LOS ANGELES MASTER CHORALE and the LA CHILDREN’S CHORUS, and vocal soloists JOELLE HARVEY, TAMARA MUMFORD, BRANDON JOVANOVICH and LUCA PISARONI. The staged production is a world premiere, with lighting and video design to make it an all-consuming experience. Three performances, starting Friday night. Learn more and get tickets if you can…
Yet another new opera company starts up in SoCal, but with some significant differences: PASADENA OPERA (not to be confused with Opera Pasadena) launches this weekend with Leonard Bernstein’s ‘Candide’, taking Voltaire’s absurdist classic to very entertaining heights. The show takes place at the A Noise Within Theatre in Pasadena, with two performances and an impressive collection of professional performers, even in the chorus, as the company is taking good advantage of LA Opera’s short rehearsal hiatus. (I’m particularly interested in seeing the wonderful mezzo SUZANNA GUZMAN as the Old Lady.) Get tickets online
If you’re heading further south, catch Boston-based vocal ensemble TAPESTRY as they concertize on Sunday in La Jolla. The program is the Biblically-inspired ‘Song of Songs: Return to the Garden’, and this is a group well worth hearing while they’re in SoCal. Click here
Finally, finish out the holiday season with a beautiful service at Church of the Good Shepherd in Beverly Hills, as ‘Christmas to Candlemas’ makes magic with choral music and soft light. Click here
We’ll have more as the year heats up, and look forward to hearing what you’re all up to. In the meantime, thank you for supporting live singing!
