Celebrating 25 Years of LA Opera
Los Angeles Opera celebrates its 25th anniversary with its first ever Open House which takes place at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Music Center of Los Angeles County, from 9:30am to 5pm on Saturday, November 5, 2011.
The day-long affair is open to people of all ages, with some events designed specifically for families with young children. All events are FREE, but because of seating limitations, some activities require tickets or reservations (first-come, first served basis / see below for specifics).
“We are thrilled to throw open our doors to welcome our community into our home for a daylong celebration of our 25-year history,” said LA Opera General Director, famed tenor Placido Domingo. “Our first Open House will be our largest ever community event, featuring a series of exciting performances, behind-the-scenes tours and activities taking place throughout the theater. It is so important for parents to share the classical arts with their children, and I encourage families to come together to experience the magic of opera. Our Open House will be a wonderful opportunity to introduce new friends to our work and also to welcome returning friends into the opera house for a closer look at all of the elements that combine to create world-class opera.”
The Open House celebration is timely, taking place on the final weekend of OPERA America’s National Opera Week (October 28 through November 6), in which opera companies throughout the nation will host a variety of fun, free activities to showcase the fascinating world of opera.
Open House highlights include two concerts jointly conducted by Mr. Domingo and James Conlon, the Company’s Music Director. The shows feature soloists from the Company’s Domingo-Thornton Young Artist Program performing with the LA Opera Orchestra.
Scheduled Open House events:
The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion will be open to everyone and all events are offered free of charge, although selected events will require a ticket for entry due to limited availability. Tickets are general admission, with seating on a first-come, first-served basis. Advance tickets to the two concerts, the family program Sing Out Loud, and to the backstage tours are available now and can be reserved online at www.laopera.com or by phone at (213) 972-8001. There will be a $1 per order handling fee and a four-ticket limit per household.
Art Workshops for Children
9:30am to 2:45pm, Eva and Marc Stern Grand Hall, Hope Street side
Two different hands-on art workshops will be offered throughout the day to children ages 4 to 10. Using opera as inspiration, children can make their own opera-themed finger puppets or decorate a postcard to send to a loved one.
The Prospector
10am and 3pm, Eva and Marc Stern Grand Hall
Two performances of the 30-minute children’s opera by composer Lee Holdridge and librettist Richard Sparks, inspired by Puccini’s The Girl of the Golden West. The opera is geared toward children aged 4 to 10 and their families.
Scenic and Costume Presentations
10:30am and 3:30pm, 3rd Floor Lobby
Get a 20-minute, up-close look at the elaborate costumes and scenic elements that transform the stage into a magical world.
Young Artist Concerts Conducted by Plácido Domingo and James Conlon
11am and 12:45pm, Main Auditorium, ticket required
Conductors Plácido Domingo and James Conlon share the podium for two concerts with the LA Opera Orchestra, featuring soloists from the Domingo-Thornton Young Artist Program in excerpts from favorite operas. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to anticipated demand, advance passes (free) should be reserved to insure admission into the auditorium. There will be a live simulcast in the downstairs Green Room for overflow audiences.
Post-Concert Q&A
11:45am and 1:30pm, Main Auditorium, packaged with Young Artist Concert ticket
What is it like to perform in the world’s great opera houses? Find out in two post-concert roundtable discussions with Plácido Domingo and James Conlon.
Sing Out Loud
11:45am and 1:30pm, Founders Room, ticket required
Sing Out Loud is a 30-minute, interactive introduction to opera for children and their families, featuring some of opera’s “greatest hits.” The performance is geared toward children aged 4 to 10 and their families. The Founders Room is located on the Hope Street side of the theater, one floor above the main level. Seating is limited; passes (free) should be reserved in advance.
Screening: La Damnation de Faust
1:30pm, Downstairs Green Room
LA Opera’s 2003 production of Berlioz’s grand-scaled masterpiece, featuring Paul Groves, Samuel Ramey and Denyce Graves, in a one-of-a-kind staging by director Achim Freyer.
Meet the Artists
2pm, South Lobby (Grand Avenue side)
Plácido Domingo and James Conlon will be available to autograph programs, CDs and DVDs. Items will be available for purchase in the main lobby’s Opera Shop.
Backstage Tours
2pm and 3:30pm, tickets required
Take a closer look at the sets and costumes for Roméo et Juliette with 45-minute guided backstage tours.
Screening: La Traviata
4pm, Downstairs Green Room
LA Opera’s 2006 production of Verdi’s beloved tragedy, starring Renée Fleming and Rolando Villazón, in a sumptuous production by Marta Domingo.
Scenery and Prop Display
All day, 3rd Floor Lobby (Grand Avenue side)
See how the designer’s vision makes it to the stage through set models, designers’ renderings and photos.
Costume and Wig Displays
All day, 3rd Floor Lobby (Hope Street side)
Regular clothes may make the man, but highly detailed costumes and wigs help singers make magic. Some of our best will be on display throughout the day.
LA Opera History Project
All day, 4th Floor Lobby
Share your LA Opera story. What was your first opera? Who are your favorite performers? Your reminiscences will be filmed as part of the permanent history of LA Opera.
Welcome Booths
All day, Main Lobby
Hosted by the Opera League of Los Angeles and Hispanics for Los Angeles Opera
