New West Symphony: Bohemian Rhapsody & Carmen at Bank of America Performing Arts Center

The year 2025 marks many significant musical milestones (including our 30th anniversary.) Bizet’s Carmen is one of the most popular operas ever written. This spurred our Music Director to search out other notable anniversaries, and they’re fun!  J.S. Bach was flourishing during his illustrious tenure in Leipzig (1725), Smetana led us through the picturesque Czech countryside with his Moldau (1875), and some of the most popular rock songs of all time were released in 1975!

Michael Christie, conductor
Laura Zahn, Carmen
Evan K. Brown, Don José
John Allen Nelson, Escamillo
Angels Vocal Art, Kristof Van Grysperre, artistic director
Pepperdine Chamber Choir, Dr. Ryan Board, director
Los Robles Children’s Choir, Emma Roche, director

Bizet: Selections from Carmen (1875)
Smetana: “Moldau” from Ma Vlast (1875)
J.S. Bach: Selections from Cantatas – “Wie schon leuchtet der Morgenstern,” “Jesum lass ich nicht von mir” and “Preis und Dank” (1725) 
Bohemian Rhapsody, Rhinestone Cowboy, Mamma Mia (1975)