Loving local: Great vocal events, right here

Vocal focus from CCMN*
Southern CA Vocal Events
Lauri D. Goldenhersh’s Weekly Highlights

One of the best things about classical music in Southern California is the astonishing diversity and constant innovation achieved by so many local presenters. We’re truly blessed, and lest I start sounding like I had brochures touristes à l’orange for dessert last night, let’s show a couple of excellent examples:

JACARANDA, one of the gems in our crown, serves up ‘Expectancy’ on Saturday night, and we can anticipate more of what this series has become known for: music that will challenge preconceptions and get under your skin. The program includes four works by Thomas Adès, one simply titled ‘Bob’ by Gerald Barry, and the mini-opera ‘Miss Donnithorne’s Maggot’ by Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, sung by fearless mezzo-soprano BUFFY BAGGOTT. (No, we don’t think she got the job because of her name.) Ms. Baggott doesn’t get to these parts very often, and she’s a fascinating live performer. Grab your seats if you can

Their mission is to bring opera to kids, but rather than yet another production of Hansel and Gretel, GUILD OPERA COMPANY has been creating original works that explore style and story, including Saturday’s ‘Viva la Zarzuela!’ The show features the voices of DEBORAH MAYHAN, FELIPE PRADO, MICHELLE BOURQUE, CLAUDIA SOBOL and BENITO GALINDO, and the feet of dancer REYES BARRIOS.
–>  Note:  RSVPs must be received by Friday 1/29, so quick, click here

In San Diego on Sunday, the local premiere of Annelies, James Whitbourn’s major choral work based on the diary of Anne Frank, comes to the excellent series at St. James by-the-Sea in La Jolla, with soprano  ARIANNA ZUKERMAN in the lead. The St. James Choir is also joined by THE LINCOLN TRIO, who were Grammy-nom’d, with Zukerman, for the 2014 recording of this work (pictured, clickable).  Get details

Don’t miss out once the weekend is over, either: Wednesday sports at least two great Music at Noon concerts (Pasadena and San Diego); and Thursday is the first of two performances of a new oratorio based on the story of the Triangle Factory Fire, created and performed by students as part of LA MASTER CHORALE’s ongoing educational work. The calendar is also loaded with other goodies, including an evening of Cole Porter with tenor JONATHAN MACK and pianist VICKY RAY; the Verdi Requiem at Disney Hall with LA MASTER CHORALE; a foray into the operatic world with BELLFLOWER SYMPHONY; and…

CONTINUING
Thru 1/30 — Leonard Bernstein’s Candide, Long Beach Opera

COMING UP
2/5 — Frau Schindler an operatic concert reading telling the story of the list-maker’s wife, USC Chamber Opera

… and more Valentine’s Day events than Cupid can shake an arrow at.

It’s still early for that, but let SoCal be your Valentine. (Just don’t try to send chocolate.) As always, thank you for supporting live singing!

Lauri D. Goldenhersh

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*This post echoed from the weekly vocal events column in the Clickable Chamber Music Newsletter, serving nearly seven thousand music fans all over Southern California. The original is a text-based email newsletter, so images, links and details may differ in this enhanced version.

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