Vocal focus from CCMN*
Southern CA Vocal Events
Lauri D. Goldenhersh’s Weekly Highlights
Who’s your mama?
With dozens and dozens of operas in Donizetti’s legacy, it’s actually surprising that so few of them are regularly performed. Tonight!, PACIFIC OPERA PROJECT brings us the comic gem, Viva la mamma!, which is actually the common nickname of the opera officially entitled Le convenienza ed inconvenienze teatrali (which translates as “the conveniences and inconveniences of the theater”). Whether the title moves you or causes understandable questions about the work’s relative obscurity, the buzz has it that POP has a new take on a show that is well worth a look. The très meta opera-within-an-opera gimmick is usually good for plenty of insider chuckles, but this company has already proven themselves to fans and newbies as well — read more and get tickets (quick!)
Also opening this week is the ever-devilish Faust at REDLANDS OPERA THEATRE and a free event by LA METROPOLITAN OPERA, exploring the wonders of coloratura. (Don’t forget to see the “Continuing” section below, as SoCal is chock full of opera right now!)
Saturday night includes special visit to San Diego by opera superstar PATRICIA RACETTE, as she continues her Diva on Detour cabaret appearances with pianist CRAIG TERRY across the country. After previous outings, the show (and subsequent live CD) has been called “sizzling” and was praised by the NY Times for drawing insightful parallels between operatic emotion and classic torch songs. It’s a brave endeavor, to be sure, as no opera singer can venture into this territory without taking a few hits from the critics. But so much good has been said of Racette’s cabaret project that there is no doubt she brings plenty of oomph to this smaller stage. Get details
The choral world brings us a gaggle of local composers with LA MASTER CHORALE’s Made in LA on Sunday night, and the season launch from VOX FEMINA earlier that afternoon. Vox’s Sonic Awakening is just that: an exploration of sound, and particular the sound of the female voice. The group is performing this time at First Congregational Church of LA (aka “First Congo”), and few choral ensembles have a devoted following like this one. The seating for this concert (unlike their appearances at Zipper) is general admission, so get there nice and early so you can pick your seat. Read more and get your tix
There are plenty more events on the calendar to choose from — click here
Have a wonderful week, and thank you, as always, for supporting live singing!
Continuing
Thru 11/8 — Mozart’s Magic Flute — Opera Pasadena
Thru 11/14 — Die Fledermaus, Repertory Opera Company (Pomona)
EXTENDED
Thru 11/22 — Hopscotch, The Industry (LA)
Thru 11/28 — Jake Heggie’s Moby-Dick, LA Opera (LA)
