Music

BEETHOVEN’S FIDELIO

• By J. COOK

Back in the day, composing an opera was a musician’s highest honor (it was also good money). Beethoven did it exactly once. Afterwards, he said thanks but no thanks to more opportunities. Why was this? Why did one of the world’s greatest composers not pursue theater? Some might say because he was smart. They wouldn’t be wrong.

Part of the explanation belongs to his initial collaboration with the infamous librettist for Mozart’s Magic flute, German impresario Emanuel Schikaneder. He offered Beet’s room and board in his beautiful new theater, so long as he wrote music for his passion project called Vestar Feuer (The Vestal Flame). This didn’t pan out (for reasons too long to get into at present) and the theater was sold. But Beet’s did say, “He is undeniably good at creating stage effects, I hoped that he would produce something even more clever.” So a visual effects extravaganza… sound familiar? So, once under new management, Beets was able to take a few pieces he’d written and fold them into a patriotic concept more to his liking: Leonore… which got reworked a few more times (all while his hearing was going mind you) and eventually emerged in 1814 as Fidelio.

This May, the production returns to the LA Phil, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel and performed by the Def West Theater, with actors both singing and signing. The performance itself explores the search for communication—both primal and sublime—which was at the heart of Beethoven’s single contribution to the pantheon of Opera. The LA Times called it an “outright breakthrough.” Don’t miss it.

For tickets, click here.

CULTURE CLASH

• By J. COOK

After eight years Culture Clash, the iconic Chicano performance group, returns to The Soraya with a new show entitled “May the 40th Be With You.” The comedy troupe was founded in 1984 in San Francisco’s MIssion District. At the time, they were one of only a few Chicano comedy’s troupes in the country. Since then, they became the most produced Latin group in the country.

Founding member Ric Salinas says, “Our big 4-0 will have our special guest stand-up comic friends who will complement our point of view as Chicano/Latino satirists and social commentators. We will have musical guests – we will perform comedic sketches – and we will offer individual testimonies of four decades touring the U.S. with our specific brand of comedy/satire. Music-rap-spoken word-a song and dance.”

Guest performers include: Kirk Ward, who in addition to his acting career is the show runner for the John Wick series Continental. Sabina Zúñiga Varela, who has starred in production at most of the major theaters in Los Angeles. Stand up comedian Marcella Arguello who loves talking about short men, being most of them are shorter than her being that she is 6’2″. Rudy Moreno, who has hosted at the Ice House Comedy Club in Pasadena for twenty years, and gives back through his foundation Komics for Kids — which provides toys and monetary gifts to underprivileged children and their families. And finally, Cholo comedian Frankie Quiñones, who has recently gone viral with his CHOLOFIT exercise routines. ¡Te veo en el teatro!

May the 40th Be With You at The Soraya (Saturday, May 4, 2024).

For tickets, click here.

UNDER THE OAKS

• By ARLENE WINNICK

Theatricum Botanicum is one of LA’s most treasured and delightful outdoor theatrical experiences where you can dine picnic-style and then enjoy a performance in an outdoor amphitheater set on a treed hillside in Topanga Canyon. Though known for their popular Shakespeare and other critically acclaimed theatrical and musical performance done in repertory over the summer months, May brings something very special and unique to the stage, the salon series – Under the Oaks.  This year they will present Hills Like White Elephants, an interdisciplinary adaption of the short story by Ernest Hemingway. The musical/drama features a string quartet, acting, singing, spoken words with gripping music by renowned composers Caroline Shaw, Philip Glass, Louis Andriessen and more. Adapted for the stage by Kellen McDaniel & Berber Heerema.

The story focuses on a conversation between an American man and a young girl at a Spanish train station. The girl says the hills look like white elephants for a couple of reasons. First, it breaks the ice on an awkward conversation; but mostly they symbolize an object or problem that’s tough to get rid of (you quickly learn exactly what that is).

Theatricum was founded in the 1950’s by actor Will Geer as a haven for out-of-work performers during the Hollywood Blacklist. His family continues his legacy as a means to shine a light on current social issues. Don’t miss this truly unique theatrical experience.

For tickets, click here.

Elīna Garanča

• By Arlene Winnick

Broadstage’s Celebrity Opera Recital series continues to bring the best and brightest stars to their main stage.  This month mezzo-soprano Elïna Garanča returns in a special concert featuring an orchestra led by esteemed British conductor Karel Mark Chichon. 

Hailed by New York Classical Review as “one of the most sought-after singers on Earth; among mezzo-sopranos (Garanča) has few peers, vocally, musically or dramatically.”  Her voice and compelling stage portrayals have captured the attention of audiences around the world.  She appears regularly at the Metropolitan Opera, ROH Covent Garden, Salzburg Festival, Carnegie Hall and other prestigious venues.  Garaca has received numerous prestigious awards for her performances and recordings including two Grammy® nominations.

Chichon is also an international favorite described by The New York Times as “a conductor of genius,” known for captivating audiences with his unwavering passion and overall musicianship.

The evening’s extensive program includes: Four selections by Giuseppe Verdi – Overture to Luisa Miller (orchestra); Net giardin del hello and O don fatale (from Don Carlo), Overture to La forza el destino (orchestra); Francesco Cilea’s Io son l’unile ancella (from Adriana Lecouvreur); Pietro Mascagni’s Intermezzo (from Cavalleria Rusticana/orchestra); three Neapolitan Songs arranged by Chichon (Non t’amo piu and Marechiare /Paolo Toasti and Musica Proibita/Stanislao Gastaldon); Ruperto Chapi Romanza de Socorroplus from El haquillero  plus additional selections.

Together, Garanča and Chichon create an unforgettable evening of operatic and musical talent.

For tickets, click here.