January's showing some snap, even in Southern California: it's cold enough that indoor activities are just what we need!
This week holds a few extra opportunities for musical contemplation, as special religious services place their focus on song and sound: If you've never experienced a
Taizé service, there are two to choose from this week. Based on the practices developed at the abbey at Taizé, France, this community-focused worship style centers around simple, engaging melodies, and congregational singing is encouraged. (But singing is not required, if you're less vocally inclined!)
All Saints' in Beverly Hills will host one such service on Friday night, and
St. Francis' in Palos Verdes offers something similar on Tuesday the 24th. Of course, the monthly
Compline service at
St. James' in the City is always an evocative refuge, as well.
Opera leans toward the less familiar (but no less enchanting), as LYRIC OPERA LOS ANGELES continues their run of Menotti's '
The Telephone' and Poulenc's '
The Human Voice' in South Pasadena. Conductor JAMES CONLON delves into the rarer works as well, leading LA OPERA's DOMINGO-THORNTON YOUNG ARTISTS and the COLBURN ORCHESTRA in three performances of Ullman's '
The Emperor of Atlantis' and Krenek's '
The Secret Kingdom' at Zipper Hall. The appearance is inspired by the opera company's erstwhile Recovered Voices series, and offers some hope that the program might eventually return to the Music Center. For more information on these performances,
click here.For the
LA Times article on the Recovered Voices program and information on DVD of previous productions, click
here.
But the big trend this week (can a week have a trend?) is the plethora of concerts and recitals all over SoCal, by big names (e.g. KATHLEEN BATTLE at Royce Hall), emerging talent, and performers at every stage in between. JACARANDA features sopranos ELISSA JOHNSTON and KATHLEEN ROLAND in their Saturday night concert, entitled '
Ring Around the Moon' in Santa Monica. THE MALKIN-TRYBECK DUO appears at two different locations this week, mezzo VIVICA GENEAUX sings at Disney Hall, and
Claremont School of Theology (with a surprisingly active and interesting arts scene) hosts a lovely concert for soprano and guitar: 'Love Songs, Dances and Lullabies', sure to serve as a nice warm-up for Valentine's Day.
If your tastes run toward the French style, a Sunday afternoon concert from the folks at LE SALON DE MUSIQUES features mezzo MONIKA BRUCKNER in a program including works by Marie-Antoinette, Rameau, Lully and more. Don't let Ms. Bruckner's Bavarian roots fool you: her years in Paris have left her with a deep understanding of the repertoire, and this insight, combined with her lush voice may transform the way you see (and hear) French song. A reception with bubbly beverages and conversation follows. For details,
click here.
Have a wonderful week -- as always, thank you for supporting live singing!
