After a week of jazzy contemplation and the never-ending loop of the La La Land soundtrack in my head (see it!), I was looking forward to hearing the Los Angeles Master Chorale perform Beethoven’s substantial Missa Solemnis on Saturday, January 21. When artistic director Grant Gershon programmed and scheduled the work, however, he could not have known what … Read more
Vocal focus from CCMN Southern CA Vocal Events Lauri D. Goldenhersh’s Weekly Highlights Hello, fall! While we don’t have as many trees turning shades of flame in SoCal, this is still my favorite time of year, with all the excitement of new seasons — and this week, new music! With Rosh Hashanah starting Sunday night, the … Read more
by Natalie Mann, Lister reviewer Opera has a long and storied history of exposing society’s darkest secrets and turning the artistic forces of music to recount tales that many fear to whisper. The eye-opening opera Fallujah tells a brilliant story based on the life of US Marine Christian Ellis. The libretto and music blur the … Read more
Long Beach Opera strives to make their seasons accessible and engaging, and the recent production of Leonard Bernstein’s Candide is a shining example of that commitment. Staged in the cozy Center Theater in Long Beach, the show brought out the best of Bernstein’s music and comedic farce. Updating productions can be a tricky proposal. Many shows … Read more
Now in its 17th year, the annual “Opera in the Park” event hosted by the Palm Springs Opera Guild of the Desert comes up this weekend, featuring nine rising stars of opera — you’re sure to recognize at least a face or two: top to bottom above, the featured performers are Lauren … Read more
