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Southern California Vocal Events
LAURI D GOLDENHERSH's Weekly Highlights
With so many ensembles scrambling to start the season early to honor 9/11, this weekend is comparatively quiet. But look what we have for you!
Friday the 16th marks the opening of a six-week run of Leonard Bernstein's Candide from the KENTWOOD PLAYERS, performing at the Westchester Playhouse. This delightful romp through Voltaire's classic satire features some of Bernstein's most infectious tunes, including one of the most celebrated coloratura arias in the repertoire. Call (310) 645-5256 for tickets (Tues-Sat, 4pm to 7pm), or buy online by clicking here.
One of the many things classical audiences benefit from in this area is the generosity of world-class musicians, performing for their almae matres or in faculty recitals. Friday night also includes at least two such examples of virtuosos giving back: first, tenor JONATHAN MACK performs Vaughn Williams' Blake settings, guesting as part of a faculty recital by oboist buddy PAUL SHERMAN at Chapman University, with tickets only $10 for the general public and discounts available. For information on this recital, click here.
Second, baritone THOMAS HAMPSON offers his 'Song of America' program at Pomona College's beautiful Bridges Hall in Claremont, accompanied by pianist VLAD IFTINCA. This free concert, not surprisingly, is already sold out. (But if you have a friend with Claremont connections, someone might need a concert buddy!) Bravo to Hampson for making this program available. For information, click here.
Friday and Saturday also mark the opening of BACH COLLEGIUM SAN DIEGO's season opener, performing Mozart's Requiem in commemoration of the tenth anniversary of 9/11. If you haven't yet heard this exceptional ensemble, plan a trip south to catch them -- they're just that good, and under the guidance of director RUBEN VALENZUELA, it's clear that although this is their 9th season, they're just getting started. For info, click here.
Busy Friday? Sierra Madre Playhouse's aforementioned 'Yeomen of the Guard' continues this weekend and next, and on Saturday, Biola University hosts 'RealNewMusic 2011' from BCC (The Biola Composers Collective), the LLOYD ROGERS GROUP, EVAN ELIASON and soprano MELODY VERSOZA. The premise for this annual event, devised by a Biola alum, is this: A poetry competition sets the text, and composers are invited to create settings of the same words. After another competition determines the three or four composers to be included in the concert, the works are then performed by the performers and selected guests. Tickets are only $10, with discounts available, and information is available by clicking here.
Sunday, the THIES CONSORT explores 'The Intimate Side of Brahms' in South Pasadena, with leader ROBERT THIES performing one-on-one works for piano and one other instrument. Thies is joined by fellow chamber performers throughout the program, with soprano ELISSA JOHNSTON will perform selected lieder in both halves, and featuring violinist KEVIN KUMAR. violist DALE HIKAWA-SILVERMAN, cellist ARMEN KSAJIKIAN, who join forces to wrap things up nicely with the evocative Piano Quartet in C minor. Tickets are $18, available at the door. For concert information, click here.
Sunday night, pianist MARK ROBSON offers a vocal-related program as part of LACMA's Sundays Live series, with opera transcriptions from Franz Liszt. Robson is a powerful and sensitive performer, and Liszt's notoriously difficult transcriptions are just the thing to show off his skills. The concert is free, but get there early. Get concert info by clicking here.
Next week:
PACIFIC OPERA PROJECT's much-anticipated Don Giovanni bursts onto the stage in clever and very modern treatment. A plethora of recitals and chamber concerts offers everything from 'Chant and Polyphony' to 'Selections from the Armenian Songbook'. Excellent programming is afoot.
Have a wonderful week, and thank you for supporting live singing!
Lauri D. Goldenhersh
lauri@laurislist.com
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