Danielle Marcelle Bond

From the trenches: A Lister diva on how to learn a lotta music

by

Danielle is a longtime Lister and one of LA’s go-to divas.  The mezzo devours an impressive amount of music each year, with much of it new works and unusual pieces that are definitely not part of the standard repertoire.  With her permission, we share her recent blog post on how she gets it done.  Check … Read more

New chamber opera at UCLA shines light on mental illness

by

The Center Cannot Hold:  A compelling opera about paranoid schizophrenia by Katherine Sullivan, Lister reviewer Whether or not you love opera, whether or not you are familiar with mental disorders, The Center Cannot Hold: A Chamber Opera is a fascinating piece, and an intimate look at a short period in the life of Elyn Saks. … Read more

LBO’s ‘Candide’ ensemble revels in utopian farce

by

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

Music to feast by

by

Vocal focus from CCMN* Southern CA Vocal Events Lauri D. Goldenhersh’s Weekly Highlights Are you ready for some turkey (or Tofurkey, or Turducken… or maybe just pie?) Thanksgiving is looming, which means that this column covers the next two weeks, and the calendar is full to bursting. While pianist YUJA WANG is getting top billing … Read more

Center Stage Opera’s ‘Carmen’ takes Seville… to the Madrid, and with style

by

by Carolyn Val-Schmidt, guest reviewer Olé to the Center Stage Opera’s Carmen, which was magnifíque! The San Fernando Valley’s Madrid Theatre was packed with enthusiastic audience members for the final production of their 2014-2015 season and the culmination of the 10th year for the diverse and growing company. Co-artistic director Dylan Thomas directed and stage managed this snappy presentation, … Read more

Retro fauna drama with Chorale Bel Canto

by

Chorale Bel Canto and Redlands Opera Theatre hit the stage with an unusual program from eras past   Mythical beasts 101: What do a horse with a horn, a snake-haired witch and a human-faced lion with a scorpion’s tail have in common? Why, composer Gian-Carlo Menotti, of course! Catch a selection of classic opera choruses … Read more

Marilyn à deux wows at Long Beach Opera

by
Photo by Keith Ian Polakoff

by Coril Prochnow, Review Coordinator Long Beach Opera delivers memorable musical experiences with every production, and their most recent project is no exception. In Marilyn Forever, LBO invites the audience into an intimate visit with Marilyn Monroe during the last hours of her life. The story of her death is legendary: At the height of her fame and beauty, she … Read more

Living in artistic prosperity

by

Vocal focus from CCMN* SOUTHERN CA VOCAL EVENTS Lauri D. Goldenhersh’s Weekly Highlights “Jefe, what is a plethora?”* The answer is simple: Check the calendar. There’s so much going on this week that it boggles the mind. But here’s a rough sketch: Operas abound, with GAVIN BRYARS’ Marilyn Forever bringing Ms. Monroe to life at … Read more

Sunday Afternoon in Redlands with Shakespeare

by

The Redlands Opera Theatre closed their 2013-2014 season with a charming program entitled “The Bard Meets Opera.” The selections of music were inspired by the works of William Shakespeare. Some of the pieces were directly taken from his writings (Othello, Macbeth) while others were an adaptation and updating of the plots (Kiss Me, Kate!, West Side Story.) By … Read more

%d bloggers like this: