Malibu’s LA Phil fans got a sweet treat with an opening night opening night which made you feel—at least musically—like you were in Austria.
The Phil is always out to amaze and surprise its local supporters like Carla Sands, Eli and Edy Broad, and Julie Andrews with something unique.
The grand event on Grand Street featured “Mozart: The Early Years.”
Gussied up guests made their way up the red carpet to BP Hall for some mixing and mingling along with chardonnay and canapés. After a few quick “hellos,” it was show time, and if you love Mozart, you were in for something special.
It began with a symphony from an ultra-talented eight-year-old. The newly shorn Gustavo Dudamel, who recently lost his long locks (sigh!), took the stage to great applause. It was, to be sure, an intriguing way to start the season.
Since Dudamel is devoting the first two weeks of the season to Mozart’s later compositions, this would be a glimpse into where his legendary talent began. From the early works, the nights progress into “The Magic Flute,” his final piano concerto and clarinet concerto, to name a few. But this night was saved for early days.
Pianist Yuja Wang, known for her sparkling minis, performed alongside Jean-Yves Thibaudet, who made his own fashion statement. Following a two-piano encore, the performance ended in traditional fashion with a shower of golden confetti and another twist—bags of Mozartkugeln, a creamy concoction of sweet chocolate and marzipan, sold all over the composer’s hometown of Salzburg.
From there, guests like actor Don Johnson and wife Kelly Phleger made their way down to a party palace for a gourmet feast.
There they found another surprise—not roses and candelabras but a quirky neon ceiling, perhaps paying homage to young Mozart’s vigor.
Celeb chefs served up a delicious chilled corn bisque with Channel Islands lobster, dill and fennel pollen, followed by The Bunker Hill Trio-prime tenderloin, braised shortrib, brisket bacon, charmoula spiced chickpeas and cumin-scented au jus, topped off by tasty morsels from the Grand Central Sweet Station.
Bravi!
BOO WHO?
Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum transforms into the haunted BOO-tanicum with the company’s seventh annual Halloween extravaganza, highlighted by its unique and infamous haunted house. Enjoy the tricks and treats of the season on the wooded grounds with a host of enticements, including ghost stories, game booths, festive food and libations, performances by Creative PlayGround, Peter Alsop, comedy improv group Off the Grid, and more. Beware of zombie thespians! Come on down … if you dare? The spooky shindig takes place Saturday, Oct. 28, from 4-10 p.m.