Longtime local and LA Opera VIP Marc Stern should be pleasantly surprised by this season’s upcoming line-up.
The program features a new version of the classic “La Boheme,” plus Aucoin’s “Eurydice” and Du Yun.
Noted music man Barrie Kosky with Komische Oper Berlin will make his way to the swanky Dorothy Chandler Pavilion to kick off the Los Angeles Opera’s 2019-20 season.
Previous performances were lavish and hit a high note for audiences everywhere. He has been hailed by the hardest critics as “one of today’s riotously and imaginative opera directors.” Don’t expect the same old standard. This production will be the first new staging of Puccini’s masterpiece at the LAO in years.
Malibu music lovers are still talking about the last whimsical production of “The Magic Flute” a few years back.
Kosky will return later in the season for a new revival. The visuals, with their cheeky use of projected artwork, are sure to wow the crowds.
The creative production set created by Kosky and the British theater company has been presented in dozens of venues around the world.
In an interview, Kosky described this unique version of “The Magic Flute” as “weird and wonderful.”
As for Aucoin, the young maestro has been compared to Leonard Bernstein and, in 2016, was appointed as the Los Angeles Opera’s first artist-in-residence.
The regular Off Grand performances will continue but will be scaled back a bit to make space for the Grand on Grand programs.
Puccini’s “La Boheme” will be directed by Kosky while James Colon conducts. Six performances will be held from Sept. 14 until Oct. 6.
“The Magic Flute” promises to be a winner. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s most popular opera will be held from Nov. 16 to Dec. 15. The orchestration will be split between James Colon and Grant Gershon. “Eurydice” will hold six performances from Feb. 1-23, 2020. So, kick back and let the music take control.
TOYS R US
A
nd for kids of all ages, local Tom Hanks’ animated “Toy Story 4” was an easy win at the box office, taking in a cool $118 million.
Several new characters have been added, but Woody and Buzz are hanging in there better than ever.
You can’t blame Tom for being a little sentimental about the project. He has warned to expect laughs and more than a few tears, calling the film “profound and a moment in history. If you thought you cried at ‘Toy Story 3,’ just wait. This one’s a doozy.” Go, Woody!