Tonight marks the latest installment in Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra’s annual “Westside Connections” series of three concerts pairing music with (insert annual topic here) . . . no seriously, the topic changes every year, complete with special guests discussing how the the topic and music mesh. This year, Margaret Batjer (LACO concertmaster and series curator) has … Continue reading
The names on the program — Gustavo Dudamel, Yo-Yo Ma — were impressive, the kind that transcend classical music into the popular consciousness. The musical offering — Cage, Bach, Tchaikovsky, Adès, Mahler, Saint-Saëns — was noteworthy, both for its eclecticism and its ability to offer a diverse showcase for the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Walt … Continue reading
It was not your average Sunday afternoon at Walt Disney Disney Concert Hall. Gustavo Dudamel was still on the podium for the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s unofficial Mozart Month, but that was pretty much where “business as usual” ended. The LA Phil had decided that their first-ever complete performances of Don Giovanni would be full-blown productions, … Continue reading
I’ve been looking forward to attending the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s fully-staged Don Giovanni for a number of reasons: First of all, well, because it’s Don Giovanni and who doesn’t want to see and hear that under pretty much any circumstance? The appearance of Mariusz Kwiecien in the title role. It’s been a very good season for … Continue reading
My guesses on what we’re looking at: The big sketch in the middle has got to be the stage with various characters (I count 5 on the stage). Behind and above them are two more figures, whom I think are some combination of Giovanni, the Commendatore, and/or the conductor. On the bottom right is likely … Continue reading
All is Yar 