LA Opera

Review: LAO dances their way into a Bach masterwork

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With the help of the Hamburg Ballet and their venerable US-born choreographer John Neumeier, our own LA Opera opened a run of J.S. Bach’s ‘St. Matthew Passion’ last Saturday, to powerful effect. Background The Bach oratorio is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest masterpieces of Western sacred music, a dramatic Baroque gem that defied … Read more

Loving the mashup

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There’s so much creativity and exuberance happening in the arts as we find our way back into live performance again. This weekend’s opening of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion from LA Opera is an outrageously marvelous example, mixing oratorio, opera, ballet and more to help us think of one of history’s most spectacular sacred masterworks in … Read more

Fresh start for LA Opera with new season announcement

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This annual ritual of fielding one season announcement after another feels different this year, as there are equal parts hopefulness and uncertainty on the agenda. But one thing is clear: opera companies all over the world are aiming to make a splash with their next offerings. LA’s downtown arts scene will be graced with faves, … Read more

Diverse joys

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There never was anything useful or great, about which men have not differed. — Origen of Alexandria Music is one of the most restorative forces in the world, and it’s coming your way. LA Opera launched their production of Tannhäuser this week, and there are beautiful things to come from Jouyssance and Pacific Opera Project … Read more

Big staffing announcements (plural!) at LA Opera

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After 14 years, this is Grant Gershon’s last season at LA Opera. With Conlon’s contract extended and a new baton-wielder from Columbia taking over as Resident Conductor, there are big changes afoot. No announcement yet as to who will take over as chorusmaster, a role which Mr. Gershon also holds through this 2021-22 season. But … Read more

LA Opera announces 2018-19 season

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  LA Opera has announced its lineup for next season, and it looks like a significant upgrade from the relatively safe fare they’ve been offering the last couple of years.  There are some safe bets, with the requisite hefty dose of artistic director Plácido Domingo in two of the six mainstage productions, as well and the … Read more

Dance, opera and seascape: “Beyond the Waterfront” in San Pedro

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by Vivian Buentiempo-Johnson, Lister Reviewer Few things are as inviting as sitting by the water on a cool summer’s evening. You might even call it a siren’s call. In this instance, the siren was Linda Grimes, representing the San Pedro Waterfront Arts District. She reached out to others in the constellation of representatives from the … Read more

Review in a hurry: ‘Thumbprint’ at LA Opera

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We recently got some feedback about LAO’s unusual opera, Thumbprint by Kamala Sankaram, who also stars in the show.  The mini-rave comes from Joanna Cazden, a longtime Lister.  The groundbreaking Off Grand production is playing through this weekend, and we just had to share: Lauri & all: FYI – I saw “Thumbprint” tonight at Redcat & … Read more

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