If you’re seeking something charming, clever, and radiant, consider attending a production of West Side Story by LA Opera as they launch their 40th anniversary season at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in September.
Music maestro James Conlon starts his 20th and last season in Los Angeles by leading the company’s debut performance of the timeless collaboration between Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim. This production will showcase the original choreography by Jerome Robbins, with Gabriella Reyes portraying Maria and Duke Kim taking on the role of Tony. The opening night is set for September 20th, marking the first of eight performances planned.
Additionally announced for the Chandler on Tuesday are several operas. Starting November 8 is a production of Puccini’s “La Bohème,” led by Lina González-Granados, who is a Colombian American resident conductor. In February 28, there will be a performance of Philip Glass’ opera “Akhnaten” set in ancient Egypt, with Dalia Stasevska, a Ukrainian-born Finnish guest conductor, at the helm and John Holiday as the star countertenor. Two other operas are scheduled for April 18 and May 30, both conducted by Condon. “Falstaff” by Verdi will be performed on April 18 featuring Craig Colclough, while Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” is set for May 30.
The upcoming 2025-26 season offers performances by tenor Juan Diego Flórez on February 10th, Patti LuPone on the 21st (marking her 25th anniversary with a rendition of her acclaimed cabaret show titled “Matters of the Heart”), and soprano Renée Fleming on June 13th. Additionally, there’s a concert scheduled for April 24th, focusing on Mozart, Verdi, and Wagner, as a tribute to Conlon’s two decades as music director.
Conlon, 74, announced in March that he would retire.
He expressed his excitement as he neared the end of his term, having orchestrated three exceptional operas – the last pieces composed by Mozart and Verdi among them. By pairing these two legendary composers with Wagner in a tribute concert, we bring together the three monumental figures of the operatic legacy for one grand farewell performance.
Having spent a lifetime creating music and leading over 900 performances of just those three composers, I am optimistic about LA Opera’s future and my ongoing connection with the organization in my role as Conductor Laureate.
Simultaneously, the collaboration between LA Opera and Beth Morrison Projects persists, marking their 17th joint venture – a world premiere titled “Hildegard” (opening on Nov. 5). This new opera is penned by Sarah Kirkland Snider, inspired by the writings of the German composer and mystic Hildegard von Bingen. The presentation will take place at The Wallis in Beverly Hills.
Additionally, you’ll find a first-time performance of “The Tower of Babel” (May 8) happening. This is a fresh community opera, penned by composer-librettist Carla Lucero. It will be performed for free at the downtown Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, under the direction of Conlon.
Christopher Koelsch, the LA Opera president and CEO, announced that we aim to construct a season focusing on James’ favorite composers in our most memorable productions. Throughout this season, artists and spectators will be given the chance to contemplate his immense influence on our musical legacy and our long-standing dedication to delivering top-tier theatrical performances spanning four decades.
On October 30th and 31st, Los Angeles Opera’s yearly Halloween spectacle at the United Theater on Broadway will showcase the classic silent film “The Phantom of the Opera” (1925), starring Lon Chaney. Remarkably, the LA Opera Orchestra will bring Roy Budd’s soundtrack to life by playing it live during the performances.
Our Off Grand program has lined up three exciting events: Tenor Ben Bliss will perform a recital on December 7 at The Wallis, Soprano Nadine Sierra will take the stage for a recital on March 21 at The Colburn School’s Zipper Hall, and Les Talens Lyriques, led by their conductor and founder Christophe Rousset, are scheduled to appear on May 24, once again at Zipper Hall.
2025-26 season passes can be purchased right now, while tickets for specific shows will be up for grabs starting in June. For further details, kindly check out the LA Opera’s official website.
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2025-02-12 06:25