Maybe it's the aftermath of the leap year. Can an extra day conjure bonus creative energy? Although favorites such as Durufle's
Requiem and Verdi's '
La Traviata' are certainly tempting, this week is full to the eyebrows with rare opportunities and special presentations. There are also, due to some stroke of good luck, a rash of
dual performances of the same programs this week, so there are plenty of scheduling options.
As LA OPERA continues its excellent runs of '
Simon Boccanegra' and '
Albert Herring', PACIFIC SYMPHONY gears up for a delightful collaboration with CENTER STAGE OPERA regulars for family-friendly shows of '
Hansel and Gretel' on Saturday. But don't fill your calendar with the big stuff: make time for Scandanavian synergy with TRIO MEDIÆVAL from Oslo, performing twice on Saturday at downtown LA's Bradbury Building, as part of Da Camera Society's '
Chamber Music in Historic Sites' series. Melding English music from the 13th century with traditional folk songs and modern sacred works by Gavin Bryars, this ethereal program promises a touch of the surreal in a beautiful space. For details,
click here.
Saturday night, TIMOTHY HOWARD leads Pasadena Presby's PASADENA SINGERS in a secular concert featuring exceptional musicians and '
Choral Favorites from Two Continents'. Brahms' luscious '
Liebeslieder Waltzes' are joined by the very American '
Tender Land' by Aaron Copland, featuring soprano JUDITH SIIRILA PASKOWITZ. The Brits finish up the program with Vaughan Williams'
Shakespeare Songs and the
world premiere of three newly commissioned works by Philip Lawson, all performed in the church's striking and acoustically splendid space. Free admission. For details,
click here.
The MERITAGE VOCAL ARTS ENSEMBLE comes to the
Nixon Library on Sunday, and the historic Pratt House in Sierra Madre hosts 16th century '
Selections from the chambers of Pope Leo X' from the unique ENSEMBLE LA MORRA, with performances at 2pm and 4pm. Want something more informal? Experience the burgeoning trend of classical music a la saloon, with OPERA ON TAP's '
Dueling Divas'.
LOOKING FURTHER AHEAD: Be sure to look ahead to the weeknight concerts through next Thursday -- no excuses for pizza delivery! Also, do you have your tickets for LONG BEACH OPERA yet? Their
double bill from Poulenc and Martinu starts next weekend, with only two performances: one on the 11th, the other on the 17th. Be prepared...
As tempting as it may be to stay indoors with the snoring pug (or maybe that's just me?), you'll regret missing these fascinating programs if you do. Get out there, enjoy yourselves, and support these creative artists in the meantime. Always, always, thank you for supporting live singing!
