LOS ANGELES NEWS
LOS ANGELES OPERA’S SPECIAL EVENTS
Following up after its recent production of TOSCA, with Sondra Radvanosky dazzling critics and public alike with her memorable performance as Floria Tosca, Los Angeles Opera has scheduled three special events in May and June.
On May 4, ANNA NETREBKO AND YUSIF EYZAZOV will appear in concert at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, with Jader Bignamini conducting the L.A. Opera Orchestra. This will be the only dual concert in the U.S. season for these celebrated and gifted singers (who have been married since 2015).
Part one will consist of duets and arias from several Verdi operas. Part two will feature highlights from various other Italian operas.
Soprano Anna Netrebko, regarded by many as the reigning prima donna of her generation, first appeared with L.A. Opera in 2000 in “Parsifal.” Tenor Yusif Eyzazov debuted locally in 2015 in “Pagliacci.”
For tickets and information call 213-972-8001 or visit laopra.org
NOAH’S FLOOD
On May 6, L.A. Opera will present a free performance of Benjamin Britten’s NOAH’S FLOOD at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels as part of the company’s education and community outreach program. James Conlon will conduct the opera, which retells and sets to music the beloved biblical story of Noah’s Ark.
Photo: Ben Gibbs / LA Opera
Bass-baritone Patrick Blackwell and mezzo-soprano Milena Kitic will perform the lead roles of Noah and Mrs. Noah. Actor Jamieson K. Price will be heard as the Voice of God. Over 500 amateur singers culled from L.A.’s music community will also take part in the production.
Advance reservations are required. Visit laopera.org/noah. There is a $1 handling fee per ticket, with a limit of four tickets per household.
THUMBPRINT
The West Coast premiere of THUMBPRINT will take place June 15-18 at Redcat, presented by LA Opera Off Grand. The opera was inspired by the extraordinary transformation of Mukhtar Mai, a young illiterate peasant whose world was shattered by an act of brutality which could have destroyed her. Instead, she discovers a weapon–her voice–and against all odds, to the astonishment of her country and herself, she seeks justice and finds it.
photo: Noah Stern Weber / Beth Morrison Productions
The opera’s theme is that even in darkest times, a single act of courage can change life for thousands.
Susan Yankowitz
based her libretto on a series of interviews she held with Mai. The opera’s
score is by Kamala Sankaram, who will also sing one of the lead roles.
Rachel Dickstein directs.
THUMBPRINT had its world premiere in NYC in 2014.
Redcat is located in the Walt Disney Concert Hall complex, 631 West 2nd
St. Call 213.237.2800 or visit redcat.org