There are many reasons why Giacomo Puccini’s La bohème is among the most popular works in the operatic repertoire. Its beautiful, romantic score, full of soaring melodies, boasts of several hit tunes, like “Che gelida manina”, “Quando men vo’”, and what fellow singers affectionately refer to as “The Bass National Anthem” – “Vecchia zimarra”. Based … Read more
by Bryan Dahl, Guest Contributor ¡Figaro! (90210) was on many levels a glorious and incomparable triumph. Though it sold out each of its four shows, and the fourth a late addition, don’t fret too much if you couldn’t get tickets in time. There will very likely be an opportunity to see it again. Superbly conceived … Read more
Saturday night’s performance of Mozart’s legendary Requiem was well attended, and thoroughly enjoyable. Presented by ArteMusica, founded in 2011, making them one of the newer kids on a very busy SoCal concert block. The masterwork was performed with choir, orchestra and soloists, all led by Maestro Ermanno Zotti, to a very enthusiastic crowd who arrived … Read more
Vocal focus from CCMN* SOUTHERN CA VOCAL EVENTS Lauri D. Goldenhersh’s Weekly Highlights Viva l’opera! This week is overflowing with opera, and not the same old thing: Starting Friday night, COPOLA (Chamber Opera Players of Los Angeles) turns an eye to murder with two free performances of a dark double bill, including Ned Rorem’s … Read more
LA Bach Fest finale in Pasadena An annual tradition in Los Angeles for eighty years, the Bach fest isn’t exactly hidden. But with the appointment of new artistic director James Walker, it has moved to Pasadena, where the festival has found a new home at All Saints Episcopal Church, a major local center of arts … Read more
Community review by Arthur Freeman Pacific Opera Project’s new production of Puccini’s Tosca, running through Sept 28 at St. James’ Church in Pasadena, is billed as “a moving production”, which is meant both literally and in terms of emotional impact. The production’s most unusual element involves the audience moving from location to location as the … Read more
Chamber Opera Players of Los Angeles (COPOLA) brought a polished pair of comedic one-act operas to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church’s Parish Hall in Glendale, CA, on Friday, May 23rd and Saturday, May 24th, 2014. Sunday Excursion was the hors d’oeuvres of the evening. Written by Alec Wilder in 1953, it is set in the early … Read more
Review by Coril Prochnow: As a revival of Cavalli’s La Calisto is being seen in Europe and the United States, Pacific Opera Project launched their own version of the complex and bawdy comedy in Highland Park during the merry month of May, executing what is quite possibly a premiere of the work in Southern California. The entertainment started as soon … Read more
The Redlands Opera Theatre event, entitled “Mozart Vignettes and Arias,” was a truly enjoyable experience on Sunday, February 23. Held in the sanctuary of the Redlands First United Methodist Church, the space features brick walls and high ceilings, yet attendees were still fairly close to the musicians, allowing the audience to feel the music on an … Read more
COPOLA’s mission: Mining indie opera for new ears With so many opera companies, big and small, spending the bulk of their resources on tried-and-true repertoire that puts butts in seats, it’s especially exciting to see a new troupe of excellent performers placing their focus on underappreciated chamber operas — and their seats are plenty full. … Read more
