The Los Angeles Opera kicked off its new season with a lavish production of “Carmen.” The 2013-2014 season will feature seven productions at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.
Season-opener “Carmen” is a forever favorite, bringing the sights and sounds of Seville to life with alluring melodies and captivating dances. The story of love and jealousy stars Patricia Bardon as Carmen and Brandon Jovanovich as Don Jose, with Placido Domingo and Grant Gershon conducting.
Also on tap is the Philip Glass/Robert Wilson collaboration of “Einstein on the Beach,” followed by “Falstaff.” The opera will commemorate the 200th birthday of composer Giuseppe Verdi with his final comic masterpiece.
There are plenty of other firsts for local fans, like Malibu board chairman Marc Stern and his wife Eva, to enjoy.
The opera will also present a full slate of programs devoted to the often overlooked composer Benjamin Britten on his centenary. “Britten 100/LA: A Celebration” will commemorate the late composer’s 100th birthday and include what promises to be a memorable production of “Billy Budd.”
Baritone Liam Bonner will appear in the title role. He takes on the heavy lifting in a festival honoring the late composer, including “The War Requiem,” with Britten devotee James Conlon at the helm.
Placido Domingo returns in 2014 to perform “Thais,” featuring soprano Nino Machaidze. The opera also has big plans for productions of “Lucia di Lammermoor” and “The Magic Flute.”
The opera will be expanding its boundaries as well. It will present a commissioned work of “Jonah and the Whale” by composer Alexander Prior at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in March.
Marc Stern, for one, couldn’t be happier with the start of the season.
“As we move into the new year, the Los Angeles Opera has much to celebrate,” he said. “Our audience members and donors have supported our artistic initiatives with overwhelming enthusiasm and we are determined to reward their commitment to us by remaining strong both artistically and fiscally.”
Conductor James Conlon echoed those sentiments as well.
“The opera has a big job in 2013 celebrating the works of three geniuses—Richard Wagner, Giuseppe Verdi and Benjamin Britten. Each of them represents the zenith of operatic art in their respective cultures,” he said. “I am happy that the Los Angeles Opera has been able to recognize all three in the context of these productions over two seasons. It gives me particular pleasure that we will be the catalyst behind a countrywide celebration.”
Bravo!