12pm -- Pasadena

Intimate Opera's OperaFusion
 Trial by Jury Matinee  

Here comes trouble 

The rarer side of Bernstein

Music is, by nature, ephemeral -- it exists only as long as it's right in front of us, then it's gone like a wisp of smoke.  'Lenny' has been gone for more than twenty years now, and as is the tendency with public figures, our memory of Leonard Bernstein is less broad than it once was:  he's known primarily as the composer of the now-iconic West Side Story, and perhaps as the former conductor of the New York Philharmonic.  Folks now speak less of his historic television broadcasts, his enormous body of work across several compositional genres, and his astounding charisma.  To be quite backward about it, he was indeed the Dudamel of his time in terms of name-recognition and popularity, and we're still not done with him: Bernstein's works are still performed regularly by major performing organizations and solo artists, and it seems clear that much of his work will endure for quite a while yet.  

So before we lose too much, it's a pleasure to revel in the 'little' works, those that are less ubiquitous, and can, therefore, still feel new to us.  Pacific Opera Project, a new company with energy, vision and a talented troupe, performs this entertaining show four times this weekend, in two locations.  The LA Times recently ran an article in their Culture Monster blog (see link below), exploring why Trouble in Tahiti might not be as famous as some of its siblings.  But the work is well worth preserving, as it serves up tremendous examples of Bernstein's versatility; his ability to leap genre boundaries in a single bound; the way he captured the society's mood in a musical moment fraught with razor-sharp wit; and the infectious nature of his memorable tunes.  (Be warned:  you won't forget the title song quickly.)  He had a genius for so blurring the lines between classical structure and jazz sound (and vice versa) that it's often hard to tell where any single idea started -- he was just making music, bringing together all the elements of his age. The end result is delightful.

 Leonard Bernstein's

Trouble in Tahiti

Friday, July 29, 8pm & 10pm

Santa Monica Playhouse

1211 4th Street, Santa Monica

Map & Directions

Saturday, July 30, 5pm & 8pm
Upstairs at Vitello's

4349 Tujunga, Studio City

Map & Directions

Tickets start at $15 (see below)

Price includes a free pre-show of Bernstein hits

Event listing        Website       More about 'Trouble'

Santa Monica Tickets (7/29)

Tickets $30 at the door, but only $15 in advance

Vitello's Tickets (7/30)

Tickets start at $15 plus $13 food & drink minimum.

Seating starts one hour before showtime.

CCMN goes into reduced production during the summer and is dark this week, but the most recent column covers events into August.  We reprint it here for your convenience.  Enjoy!   

Southern California Vocal Events

LAURI D GOLDENHERSH's Weekly Highlights

Santa Barbara will continue to enjoy the sounds of MUSIC ACADEMY OF THE WEST, while Pasadena is filled with song from INTIMATE OPERA PASADENA's 'Summer Nights OperaFusion'.  This new festival is connected to the company's annual Young Artists' Workshop, and this year, features the teaching and performing talents of SUZANNA GUZMAN, TIM MCDOUGAL, DAVID ANGLIN, DAVID CLEMENSEN and ARAM BARSAMIAN, to name just a few.  Don't miss their 'Opera with Scones' event on the 23rd (get your reservations early!), and the various master classes and recitals offered over the next week.  On the 29th and 30th, the workshop will culminate in performances of Puccini's 'Suor Angelica' and Gilbert & Sullivan's 'Trial by Jury'.  Ticket prices are very modest, so you can even go to two or three events!  For more information, click here.

OPERAWORKS brings their summer intensive to a close with their original'Non-Boring Opera, created from improvisation and pure, unbridled creativity.  Check out this year's production, 'Zombie Apoco-Lips', on the 23rd and 24th in Northridge.  For information, click here. 

Monday the 25th brings the sound of France to Covina, as the CHILDREN'S CHOIR OF GREATER PARIS performs at Sacred Heart Church.  More information can be had by clicking here. 

Soprano JACQUELYNNE FONTAINE performs with pianist PETER WALSH on Wednesday the 27th, bringing a varied program of favorites to California Lutheran University.  Matching classical masters such as Schumann, Debussy and Quilter with American marvels Gershwin, Porter and Sondheim (as well as several other composers), there's sure to be something for everyone.  Learn more by clicking here . 

Bernstein's fun and enigmatic 'Trouble in Tahiti' comes to Los Angeles on the 29th and 30th, in a new production from the PACIFIC OPERA PROJECT. This upstart company takes over the Santa Monica Playhouse on Friday and Saturday, making a name for themselves and delighting new audiences with a show only rarely performed in recent years.  See the show while you can, and get tickets early -- it's just the right show for a steamy summer.  For information, click here . 

Also on the 30th, THE PERFECT GENTLEMEN bring barbershop style and family fun to the Burbank Library.  That evening, musical advocates hold court at Disney Hall with Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, performed by the LOS ANGELES LAWYERS' PHILHARMONIC.  Like jazz?  You'll love KATIE CAMPBELL's show in Pasadena, celebrating the release of her gorgeous and feisty new CD, End of the Beginning.

     See more on The Perfect Gentlemen 

     More on LA Lawyers 

     Learn more about Katie Campbell 

If you like video games or film scores (and who doesn't?), do whatever you can to attend 'Mythos: A Journey through Today's Voices' at First Congregational Church in LA.  An astounding array of talent has been collected for this one concert, conducted by AUSTIN WINTORY and featuring the vocal talents of AYANA HAVIV, ANGIE SOLOMON, and a full chorus of the best singers in the city.  Instrumentalists include THE MIDNIGHT WINDS, pianist ROBERT THIES, cellist STEVE ENDODY, harpist CHARISSA BARGER and SUDNEY HOPSON on percussion.  You won't believe the list of composers represented -- check it out and get more information by clicking here .

What a summer!  Enjoy the season, wear a hat, and thank you for supporting live singing!

Lauri D. Goldenhersh

lauri@laurislist.com  

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