Vocal focus from CCMN*
Southern CA Vocal Events
Lauri D. Goldenhersh’s Weekly Highlights
The SoCal music community was rocked this week by the news that the OC Register has laid off highly respected music critic TIMOTHY MANGAN (right) after nearly twenty years, citing “restructuring”. They gave him no notice: he was on his way to review LA Opera when he got the call. They also reportedly gave him a mere two weeks’ severance, which The New Yorker’s Alex Ross has dubbed “vicious”, and readers, critics, musicians and performers all over the world have been chiming in with support for Mangan.
What can you do? Please do send your protest to the Register’s editors, and be sure to follow Tim online: after previous resistance, he’s finally set up an account on Twitter (@TimothyMangan1), and is building followers rapidly. You can also follow his new journey on his own blog, Classical Life, which has email subscriptions available.
With so much opera-sized drama happening locally in real life, it’s only fitting that there should be plenty on stage this week, as two of our larger companies wrap up their seasons with particularly challenging works, and smaller companies stick to the classics (see CONTINUING, below), offering big emotions for everyone’s taste.
LONG BEACH OPERA brings a new arrival to Santa Monica on Saturday. The title is a little ambiguous, and the composer’s name sounds like an emcee, but he’s much more than that. JACOB TV (the “TV” is for Ter Veldhuis, his last name) is an avant-pop composer who hails from Amsterdam, is unabashedly modern, and has been called “the Andy Warhol of new music”. Granted, that moniker may not be an enticement for some, but never has an opera claimed to be “ripped from the headlines” and been able to back it up so well. The News is quite literally built from recent top stories, lambasting the infotainment culture that has taken over the planet. This work may be especially apt in this crazy election year, which has even further blurred lines between staying up-to-date and watching a rather bitter circus. This could be just the antidote we need, with three performances between 6/19 and 6/26. Get details and tickets
Downtown, LA OPERA is making waves with the world premiere of DAVID LANG’s Anatomy Theater, which opens Thurs 6/16, and gets four more performances through Monday. This discomfiting show is already making people uncomfortable… and it hasn’t even opened yet. That means tickets will sell out (and are well on their way), and a little reading ahead is strongly advised. (We’ll have more in Friday morning’s Next 7, as well.) Click here
The summer programs at OPERAWORKS have begun, and that means that we the public can enjoy some very creative, always surprising improvisational opera with just a little trip to Northridge. The first batch offers us”Performance Reimagined“, and every show is a wild ride for performers and audience members alike. Be sure to add their July opera to your calendar, as well. Read more about both
As we head into next week, mark Wed 6/22 on your calendar, for two special opportunities for midweek fun:
Soprano ERIN WOOD (pictured right) performs at El Camino College in Torrance, with a recital about being a woman, with Schumann’s exquisite Frauenlieben und Leben as the centerpiece. Wood will be collaborating with pianist KENNER BAILEY at the Campus Theater, and ticket prices are very reasonable. Get details
Then, PITTANCE CHAMBER MUSIC serves up a Showcase Concert at the Pasadena Conservatory, featuring members of LA Opera’s Orchestra and Chorus, performing works by Beethoven, Piazzola and local composer GERNOT WOLFGANG, as well as vocal works by Schubert (Lieder selections) and Brahms (the captivating Liebeslieder Walzer). Read more, get tickets, and get on this upstart ensemble’s mailing list
Your homework this week: Do something to support your favorite arts writer. Sit in a hammock and listen to something beautiful. And remember that we thank you, always, for supporting live singing!
Schedule note
After 6/23, Lauri’s List will be publishing annual newsletters and vocal round-ups approximately every two weeks through the summer, instead of each week. Get the schedule, including submission deadlines
Continuing
Thru 6/17 — Carmen, CELESTIAL OPERA COMPANY
Thru 6/18 — Idomeneo, LA MET
Coming up
unSUNg starts a little later this year, with concerts July 10, July 31 and August 21, all starting at 4pm. (Note the earlier time.) Our fourth season is as diverse and fascinating as the last, and we’re very excited about the programs we have planned for you. Stay tuned for details, and learn more by clicking:
www.laurislist.com/unsung
Check out the Lister Calendar: http://www.laurislist.com/calendar
Send us your event info: events.la@laurislist.com
Subscribe to e-news from the List: http://www.laurislist.com/enews
For the latest issue of Next 7, click: http://www.laurislist.com/Next7
Singerpreneur blog: https://www.singerpreneur.com
Featured images: Michel Meynsbrughen / Free Images
*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.
