A TOUCH OF GLASS
From the LA Opera to the Philharmonic, Ginny Mancini seems to be everywhere these days. Most recently, Malibu’s music maven headed for Disney Hall, and the occasion was something to sing about. Marvelous Ms. M was on hand to help the Los Angeles Master Chorale celebrate its 43rd season.
Well-clad music lovers came in their black-tie best for the opening night performance and post concert gala. As usual, Music Director Grant Gershon put on quite a show, offering two impressive, but very different, takes on creation.
The program kicked off with Haydn’s “Creation Mass,” which featured 61 members of the Master Chorale giving it their all. The monumental piece was composed in 1801 and marks the first of six presentations from the choir’s three-year “Homage to Haydn.” Like the LA Phil, the Chorale takes full advantage of Walt Disney Concert Hall’s magnificent acoustics, and the result is always impressive.
The performers switched gears for the second part of the program with 112 soprano, alto, bass and tenor voices belting out Philip Glass’ “Itaipu,” an epic piece inspired by the primal sounds of the Amazon. The performance was so rich and electrifying, it almost made the mass seem like a joyful little ditty by comparison. “That was absolutely amazing,” raved culture vulture Thomas Kranz, “But then again, I am a huge Phillip Glass fan.”
After a standing ovation, gala guests made their way to BP Hall, which was transformed into a jungle paradise. In keeping with the South American theme, the hall was dressed up with splashy water fountains, rugged rock walls, hundreds of white orchids, dozens of tropical bromeliads and a smattering of silk butterflies.
After the traditional “surround-sing” by a room full of Chorale performers, guests tucked into a savory tower of crab meat, avocado and tomato confit, roasted veal tenderloin with coconut rice and plantains topped off by a decadent Madagascar vanilla and pomelo tart.
The exotic evening ended on a high note, raising more than 300K for the Chorale’s artistic and educational programs.
LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL
The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California will be pulling out all the stops at this year’s Bill of Rights Awards. The dinner gala takes place on Dec. 11 at the Beverly Wilshire with political wit Bill Maher serving as master of ceremonies, “Volver” beauty Penelope Cruz presenting the plaques and pop princess Jewel providing the evening’s entertainment.
This year’s honoree is Paul Haggis, the Academy Award winning filmmaker who wrote back-to-back best picture winners “Crash” and “Million Dollar Baby” as well as the recent wartime drama “Flags of Our Fathers” and the latest Bond blockbuster, “Casino Royale.”
Other recipients include Lt. Cmdr. Charles Swift, music man Kevin Weaver and those freedom-loving femmes of the First Amendment, The Dixie Chicks.