SOMETHING TO SING ABOUT!
It’s a big milestone for the Los Angeles Master Chorale, as Grant Gershon celebrates his tenth year as music director. To mark the occasion, the company will be pulling out all the stops for its 2010-2011 season.
Highlights will include a performance of Rachmaninoff’s “All Night Vigil,” a 70-minute cappella work that was composed in 1915, an all French-program and the world premiere of a work by Mark Grey.
“French Connections” features pieces by French composers from the Renaissance to the 20th Century, including Maurice Durufle’s “4 Motets on Gregorian Themes,” Ravel’s “Trois Chansons” and songs by Clement Janequin.
The popular Messiah Sing-Along concerts will return this year, as well as longtime favorites like “Holiday Wonders.”
The new season is sure to strike a chord with music lovers everywhere.
THE TALENTED MR. DAMON
The Beverly Hilton Hotel will be all-star central on March 27 when Matt Damon receives this year’s prestigious American Cinematheque Award. Damon joins an impressive roster of previous honorees including Martin Scorsese, Sean Connery, Tom Cruise, Arnold Schwarzenegger, George Clooney, Nicole Kidman, Al Pacino, as well as locals Mel Gibson, Steven Spielberg and Bruce Willis.
American Cinematheque Chairman Rick Nicita says Damon was a natural choice for the gong, calling him “one of our greatest young stars” and “the epitome of an American Cinematheque honoree.”
Since Damon may be a little young for a lifetime achievement honor, the award is being described as a “mid-career recognition.” The American Cinematheque Chairman is quick to point out that the “Good Will Hunting” star has an amazing body of work, which he has cranked out in short order. “He has already garnered an Academy Award for screenwriting as well as leading roles in two major movie franchises with the ‘Bourne’ and ‘Oceans’ series,” he said. “His choice of projects ranges from daring independents to commercial mega-hits, which have been received with both public and critical acclaim. But his career best may be yet to come.”
At 39, Damon is credited with an amazing 51 movie and 12 producer titles, including the critically acclaimed “Invictus,” “The Informant,” “Syriana,” “Saving Private Ryan” and “Oceans Eleven.”
The talented actor is currently at work on several upcoming projects including “Rounders 2,” “True Grit” and “Hereafter.”
You might say he’s come a long way since his one-line part in “Mystic Pizza.” That deserves a big round of applause for one of the world’s brightest stars.
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