Great big orgs like the Los Angeles Philharmonic cover a lot of bases each year, and planting great big red flags by the vocal works isn’t always a priority which is certainly understandable. But for those of us who are focused on the singing stuff, here’s a breakdown of the classical vocal-related programs and artists that leapt off the calendar in this season’s announcement:
Renée Fleming • Jean-Yves Thibaudet
Colburn Celebrity Recital
Sun / Oct 16, 2022 – 7:30PM
Two of the leading stars of the music world collaborate for a magical evening.
Green Umbrella
Rock My Soul Festival
Tue / Nov 8, 2022 – 8:00PM
Julia Bullock curates a program of music by today’s most galvanizing female composers.
A Musical Portrait: Price and Bonds
Rock My Soul Festival
Sat / Nov 5, 2022 – 8:00PM
Sun / Nov 6, 2022 – 2:00PM
Explore the musical voices of and relationship between Florence Price and Margaret Bonds. Featuring Julia Bullock, curator; Michelle Bradley, soprano; Jasmin White, mezzo-soprano.
Rhiannon Giddens
Rock My Soul Festival
Sat / Nov 12, 2022 – 8:00PM
The Grammy Award winning singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist performs with the LA Phil.
Holiday Sing-Along
Sat / Dec 3, 2022 – 11:30AM & 2:30PM
Raise your voice and your spirit in this annual holiday tradition that offers fun, cheer, and a whole lot of music for the entire family.
Dudamel Leads the Tristan Project: Act I
Fri / Dec 9, 2022 – 8:00PM
Thu / Dec 15, 2022 – 8:00PM
Gustavo leads the exciting first act of Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde. Production directed by Peter Sellars and designed by Bill Viola, with the Los Angeles Master Chorale and featuring soloists Michael Weinius (Tristan), Miina-Liisa Värelä (Isolde), Eric Owens (Marke), Okka von der Damerau (Brangäne), Ryan Speedo Green (Kurwenal), and Robert Stahley (Melot) in the principal roles.
Dudamel Conducts The Nutcracker
Symphonies for Youth
Sat / Dec 10, 2022 – 11:00AM
A timeless Christmas favorite that offers drama and memorable melodies. This performances features the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus.
Dudamel Leads the Tristan Project: Act II
Sat / Dec 10, 2022 – 8:00PM
Fri / Dec 16, 2022 – 8:00PM
The dramatic love story unfolds in the second act of Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde. Production directed by Peter Sellars and designed by Bill Viola, with the Los Angeles Master Chorale and featuring soloists Michael Weinius (Tristan), Miina-Liisa Värelä (Isolde), Eric Owens (Marke), Okka von der Damerau (Brangäne), Ryan Speedo Green (Kurwenal), and Robert Stahley (Melot) in the principal roles.
Dudamel Leads the Tristan Project: Act III
Sun / Dec 11, 2022 – 2:00PM
Sat / Dec 17, 2022 – 8:00PM
Gustavo leads the climactic final act of Wagner’s revolutionary opera. Production directed by Peter Sellars and designed by Bill Viola, with the Los Angeles Master Chorale and featuring soloists Michael Weinius (Tristan), Miina-Liisa Värelä (Isolde), Eric Owens (Marke), Okka von der Damerau (Brangäne), Ryan Speedo Green (Kurwenal), and Robert Stahley (Melot) in the principal roles.
A Chanticleer Christmas
Tue / Dec 13, 2022 – 8:00PM
The beloved Grammy®-winning “orchestra of voices” returns with its signature holiday performance.
Debussy and Messiaen with MTT
Fri / Jan 6, 2023 – 8:00PM
Sat / Jan 7, 2023 – 8:00PM
Sun / Jan 8, 2023 – 2:00PM
Much-loved Michael Tilson Thomas returns with captivating French music, plus vivid Villa-Lobos. Featuring the Los Angeles Master Chorale.
John Adams’ Girls of the Golden West
Fri / Jan 27, 2023 – 8:00PM
Sun / Jan 29, 2023 – 2:00PM
The true stories of the California Gold Rush come to life in John Adams’ recent opera. With soloists Julia Bullock (Dame Shirley), Davóne Tines (Ned Peters), Paul Appleby (Joe Cannon), Hye Jung Lee (Ah Sing), Elliot Madore (Ramón), Daniela Mack (Josefa Segovia) and Ryan McKinny (Clarence) in the principal roles, and featuring the Los Angeles Master Chorale.
Yuja Wang & Dudamel: Rachmaninoff Concerto 3
Thu / Feb 16, 2023 – 8:00PM
Fri / Feb 17, 2023 – 8:00PM
Rachmaninoff’s virtuosic Third Concerto and haunting choral symphony, The Bells. With soloists Mané Galoyan, soprano; Simon Bode, tenor; Alfred Walker, bass-baritone; and the Los Angeles Master Chorale.
Yuja Wang & Dudamel: Rachmaninoff Concerto 4
Sat / Feb 18, 2023 – 2:00PM
Sun / Feb 19, 2023 – 2:00PM
Rachmaninoff’s rare and dazzling Fourth Piano Concerto and The Bells. With soloists Mané Galoyan, soprano; Simon Bode, tenor; Alfred Walker, bass-baritone; and the Los Angeles Master Chorale.
Mehta Conducts Mahler 3
Thu / Mar 2, 2023 – 8:00PM
Fri / Mar 3, 2023 – 11:00AM
Sat / Mar 4, 2023 – 8:00PM
Sun / Mar 5, 2023 – 2:00PM
The LA Phil’s Conductor Emeritus leads the assembled forces in Mahler’s vast tribute to nature and love. With soloist Gerhild Romberger; the Women of the Los Angeles Master Chorale; and the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus.
Symphonie fantastique with Mehta
Fri / Mar 10, 2023 – 8:00PM
Sat / Mar 11, 2023 – 8:00PM
Sun / Mar 12, 2023 – 2:00PM
Mehta returns for one of George Crumb’s most important pieces and Berlioz’ timeless fantasy. With soprano soloist Nadine Sierra.
Payare conducts Brahms
Thu / Apr 13, 2023 – 8:00PM
Fri / Apr 14, 2023 – 8:00PM
Sat / Apr 15, 2023 – 2:00PM
Payare leads Brahms powerful First Symphony; Dorothea Röschmann, one of the world’s leading sopranos, sings Wagner’s Wesendonck Lieder.
Our focus on the singing stuff isn’t meant as any disrespect to the many other amazing artists on these programs — this is intended purely as a hyperfocused guide for our particuar readers. Do check out the other events, too, including the rich array of instrumental offerings and those where the singers are more firmly rooted in jazz, world music and other genres. This fall alone, whether you’re relishing the legend that is Chaka Khan, a spooky organ-and-film epic for Halloween, taking a kiddo to one of the Symphonies of Youth days, or diving into any of the chamber-scaled, collaborative and cross-genre events scheduled throughout the year, we firmly support the basic truth that all musicians should be supporting each other’s work, and we must attend events beyond our own scope whenever we have the chance. Take advantage of subscription opps and various discounts available here and elsewhere, and make sure you’re attending events at least several times a year, in addition to what you’re involved in yourself. It will inform your work, expand your sphere and bring inspiration that might surprise you.
For full details, go to laphil.com
Note that some programs have yet to be announced. As always, be sure to keep an eye on organization websites for the latest news and final details.
