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
“Three Wishes” — Southern California Vocal Events LAURI D GOLDENHERSH’s Weekly Highlights from theClickable Chamber Music Newsletter Have you taken the deep dive into the new season yet? If not, here are three excuses to leave the house this week: For more vocal goodies, go to laurislist.com/calendar Opera al fresco Saturday evening is a great … Read more
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
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
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
Being a performer comes with a certain amount of uncertainty for the future, and without independent wealth, extremely careful financial planning and a serious portion of luck, many artists can find themselves needing a leg up. For union members, the AGMA Relief Fund is a lifeline that can make an enormous difference, and some of … Read more
In an unusual pairing, LA’s own Heidi Duckler Dance Theatre joins forces with LA Opera in June, to offer a dancing, singing tribute to the great Leonard Bernstein in his centenary year. But they’re not stopping at mere collaboration: they’re bring the historic “tall ships” at San Pedro Harbor into the action, with the … Read more
This is not a review. For the first time in years, I attended an event last Friday with no agenda but to enjoy the spectacle. But after such sights and sounds, the experience is still rolling around in my brain, and there are things to say. LA Opera, and in particular Sondra Radvanovsky, who reprises the … Read more
by Bruce Wright, Lister Reviewer You could tell it was no ordinary opera night, just by looking at the ticket holders drinking, chatting, and waiting for dates outside the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on Saturday night, April 1st. The plaza was packed with a bubbly, ethnically and sartorially diverse crowd, enjoying the fine evening alongside a … Read more
Vocal focus from CCMN Southern CA Vocal Events Lauri D. Goldenhersh’s Weekly Highlights The vocal calendar holds both heralded and out-of-the-box events this week. How about some California history? A dance of veils? A lecherous lush? A little-seen Weill gem? Here’s a list of things that are much better than a couch and burgeoning potatohood: If … Read more
