LA Opera Celebrates Verdi with Falstaff, Audra McDonald in Concert, Einstein on the Beach in Review

LA OPERA CELEBRATES VERDI'S 200TH BIRTHDAY WITH FALSTAFF

To honor Verdi's 200th birthday, LA Opera will present a new production of the crowning glory of the composer's magnificent career, his comic masterpiece Falstaff. LA Opera Music Director James Conlon, praised internationally for his mastery of Verdi, conducts this unabashed celebration of Merrie Olde England's lusty days and bawdy nights, starring Italian baritone Roberto Frontali. When Shakespeare's portly knight of Windsor hatches a plot to improve his love life by courting two different married women, he launches a flood of comic chaos and romantic misadventure.

Falstaff opens November 9 for six performances only. Tickets are on sale now.

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AUDRA McDONALD IN CONCERT
OCTOBER 26

Blessed with a luminous soprano and an incomparable gift for dramatic truth-telling, Broadway legend Audra McDonald is unparalleled in the breadth and versatility of her artistry as both a singer and an actress.

On Saturday, October 26, Ms. McDonald joins us for an intimate evening of favorite showtunes, classic songs from the movies, and original pieces written especially for her. Don't miss this exciting evening with an extraordinary artist who is at the height of her expressive powers.

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JAMES CONLON CONDUCTS BRITTEN'S WAR REQUIEM ON NOVEMBER 25

On Monday, November 25, Britten master and LA Opera Music Director James Conlon leads an array of L.A.'s finest youth ensembles in Benjamin Britten's War Requiem - one of music's greatest anti-war statements. The poignant masterpiece combines the moving WWI poetry of Wilfred Owen with the Catholic Mass for the Dead. At the top of his score, Britten inscribed Owen's preface: "My subject is War, and the pity of War. The poetry is in the pity. All a poet can do is warn."

Experience a musically inspired, philosophically probing, intellectually inventive tour de force of the creative spirit, honoring the composer's 100th birthday anniversary.

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AN AMAZING WEEKEND ON EINSTEIN'S BEACH

If you were here, you know what an mind-blowing weekend this was at LA Opera. A who's who of art, film, fashion and music came out to experience the magic of Einstein on the Beachincluding architect Frank Gehry, LACMA's Michael Govan, musicians Rufus Wainwright, Leonard Cohen, Kanye West, and Weezer, plus actors Jack Nicholson, Jane Fonda and Julian Sands among others. But the real stars were all of you - our incredible LA Opera family - who came out en masse (and flew in from around the world) to experience this wonderful, inspiring masterpiece of modern opera. Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for being so supportive!

The reviews are in and by all accounts, Einstein was a huge success. Mark Swed of the LA Times said, "In my long experience with Einstein, it has never looked or sounded this great." The buzz on social media was also incredible. Thanks also to the cast and crew of Einstein on the Beach, our friends at Pomegranate Arts and CAP UCLA for making this weekend one of the most exciting in LA Opera history.

EINSTEIN PHOTOS ON INSTAGRAM
EINSTEIN RECAP ON STORIFY

[The Prospector]

SATURDAY MORNINGS AT THE OPERATICKETS ON SALE OCTOBER 23

Fill your Saturday with music, art and adventure at LA Opera! Join us for Saturday Mornings at the Opera where we present our wildly popular hour-long, interactive performances. We believe you're never too young to enjoy the classics. Delight in familiar arias and wander through enchanting tales of adventure in both original works and beloved favorites adapted for children.

Fun and creative workshops for children before each performance add to the excitement and prepare the audience with art and music-making activities.

Two Performances Only!

The Prospector - February 8, 2014
Mozart Opera Tales - May 10, 2014

Tickets on sale Wednesday, October 23, 2013 at 10am

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LOS ANGELES MAGAZINE'S 8TH ANNUAL FOOD EVENT OCTOBER 20

Attention Foodies: LA Opera sponsor, Los Angeles magazine, will be presenting their 8th Annual Food Event on Sunday, October 20 from 2-5 pm at Saddlerock Ranch in Malibu. The ranch boasts acres of vineyards, rolling hills, exotic animals and space to spread out and relax for a true escape from the city.

The day features renowned chefs, culinary experts, sommeliers, plus food, wine, spirits and other treats -- all for one inclusive price. As an LA Opera supporter Los Angeles magazine is extending an offer of $10 off the ticket price with promotional code OPERA10.

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BRITTEN 100/LA: THE CELEBRATION CONTINUES

OCTOBER 2013 EVENTS
Oct. 19, 2:00pm; Oct. 23, 7:00pm; Oct. 26, 2:00pm

Albert Herring (Op. 39, 1947) presented by Repertory Opera Company, conducted by Brian Farrell and directed by LizBeth Lucca.

Venue: First Christian Church, 1751 N. Park Ave, Pomona, CA 91768
Information: www.RepertoryOperaCompany.org or909.230.4949

October 19, 8:00pm
Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra concert featuring Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge (Op. 10, 1937), as well as music by Haydn, Mozart and Adolphe, conducted by Jeffrey Kahane.

Venue: Ambassador Auditorium, 131 S. Saint John Ave., Pasadena CA 91123
Information: www.LACO.org or 213.622.7001 (ext. 215)

October 20, 7:00pm
Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra concert featuring Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge (Op. 10, 1937), as well as music by Haydn, Mozart and Adolphe, conducted by Jeffrey Kahane.

Venue: Royce Hall, 340 Royce Dr., Westwood CA 90095
Information: www.LACO.org or 213.622.7001 (ext. 215)

October 27, 6:00pm
The University of La Verne presents an all-Britten concert featuring tenor Jonathan Mack, soprano Carol Stephenson and pianist Grace Zhao, including folksong arrangements, an excerpt from the War Requiem (Op. 66, 1962), Canticle II: Abraham and Isaac (Op. 51, 1952) and Canticle III: Still Falls the Rain (Op. 55, 1954). This concert is part of the Peace Out of War series presented by the College of Arts and Sciences.

Venue: Morgan Auditorium, University of La Verne, 1950 Third Street, La Verne CA 91750
Information: www.LaVerne.edu

NOVEMBER EVENTS
November 1, 8:00pm

Neeme Jarvi conducts the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra in a performance that includes Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten by Arvo Part, as well as pieces by Dvorak and Tchaikovsky.

Venue: Valley Performing Arts Center (18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge CA 91330)
Information: www.ValleyPerformingArtsCenter.org or818.677.3076

November 6, 12:10pm
Glendale Noon Concerts presents oboist Catherine Del Russo performing the Phantasy Quartet for Oboe and Strings (Op. 2, 1932), with Jacqueline Suzuki (violin), Victor de Almeida (viola) and Maksim Velichkin (cello). The program also includesGoing Home for oboe quartet by Martin Bresnick. This concert is free and open to the public.

Venue: First Baptist Church of Glendale, 209 N. Louise Street, Glendale CA 91206
Information: GlendaleNoonConcerts.blogspot.com or818.242.2113

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LACO PRESENTS HAYDN'S CELLO CONCERTO IN C MAJOR

Have you been enjoying the Britten100/LA celebrations? Continue the Britten centenary festivities with a personal chamber work that Britten composed in tribute to his former teacher. Music director Jeffrey Kahane leads Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra in Britten's Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge on October 19 and 20.

Mezzo-soprano and 1997 Music Center Spotlight Award-winner Laurie Rubin performs the US premiere of Bruce Adolphe's Do You Dream in Color?, a testament to her experience as a blind artist, and French cellist Jean-Guihen Queyras solos on Haydn's Cello Concerto in C major.

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GIVE THE GIFT OF OPERA TO FUTURE GENERATIONS

Make a gift to future generations by including LA Opera in your estate plan. For more information, contact Sr. Planned Giving Officer Howard Moss at 213.972.3141 or hmoss@laopera.com

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