L.A. OPERA'S 2008/2009 SEASON CONTINUES
LOS ANGELES -- Los Angeles Opera's keenly-awaited winter offerings, a continuation of its 2008/2009 season, will commence on Jan. 10-25 with a revival of THE MAGIC FLUTE by Wolfgang Mozart. Stanley M. Garner directs two alternating casts headed by Marie Arnet, Erin Wall, L'Ubica Vargicova, Albina Shagimuratova and Matthew Polenzani, among others. Gerald Scarfe designed the fantastical sets and costumes for the Peter Hall production. James Conlon conducts the opera for the first time in L.A. Grant Gershon is the associate conductor/choral master.
Thanks to generous grants from the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation and
the Andrew Mellon Foundation, L.A. Opera will be able to launch its ground-breaking
production of THE RING CYCLE by Richard Wagner, the first ever to be designed
and directed by Achim Freyer, who has long been regarded as one of the
most important figures in European theatre, opera and the visual arts.
Freyer has directed two previous operas in L.A., Berlioz's The Damnation
of Faust and Bach's Mass in B Minor.
Scheduled first (Feb. 21-March 15) is Wagner's mammoth music drama, DAS
RHEINGOLD, starring Vitalij Kowaljow (as Votan), Arnold Bezuyen (Loge)
and Gordon Hawkins (Alberich). The latter two are making their company
debuts.
DIE WALKURE follows April 4-25 with Placido Domingo reprising his world-famous
role as Siegmund. Anja Kampe is Sieglinde; Linda Watson, Brunhilde; Michelle
de Young, Fricka; Eric Halfvarson, Hunding.
Music Director James Conlon, who has previously directed The Ring in Europe,
will unveil his first USA Ring. Freyer has not only directed and designed
both Wagner productions but collaborated with Amanda Freyer on the costumes.
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave. Call 213-972-8001 or visit
laopera.com