Malibu’s Los Angeles Opera Chairman of the Board Marc Stern was proud to announce the line up for the 2016-17 season. The line up includes an updated version of “Macbeth” by Giuseppe Verdi starring Plácido Domingo, and Philip Glass’ “Akhnaten.”
Marc said, “I can’t wait to see what the next 30 years have in store for us.” He also thanked all the members on board, adding that the repertoire and artist roster for the company’s 2016-17 season was created by Mr. Domingo in collaboration with Los Angeles Music Director James Conlon and President and CEO Christopher Koelsch. The season will include six main stage productions, and as well as lots of classical music, presented at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. A total of 40 performances will take place in that venue, while an additional 13 performances will be presented elsewhere through the company’s Off Grand initiative.
The season will open in September and will run through June 18, 2017.
“L.A. Opera’s 31st season emphasizes operas that have long been absent from our stage,” said Plácido Domingo, who will open the season in the title role of “Macbeth” and later will conduct a revival of “The Tales of Hoffmann,” starring soprano Diana Damrau in her company debut. “It includes four foundational works that haven’t been presented here in 13 years or longer, as well as the company premiere of ‘Akhnaten’ — a major 20th century work by Philip Glass … In addition to our main stage programming, ‘Wonderful Town’ will inaugurate a three-season celebration of Leonard Bernstein, perhaps the most influential American composer of his generation. We expect our tribute to encompass four different Bernstein works by the time we reach his centenary in 2018.”
“The coming season affords me the opportunity to conduct four important operas that I haven’t yet conducted in Los Angeles,” said James Conlon. “The German operatic repertoire is an artistic legacy that is very important for the company and to me personally … I’m especially looking forward to ‘Salome,’ the first Strauss opera I will conduct at L.A. Opera, as well as ‘The Abduction from the Seraglio,’ last performed here in 1995. Above all, I am thrilled to continue my ongoing collaboration with Plácido in our season opening ‘Macbeth,’ our offering to the international recognition of the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death. The diversity of the season’s repertoire affords ample opportunity for the L.A. Opera Orchestra and Chorus to display their extraordinary talents.”
If you are a lover of Jacques Offenbach, it will be a spring fling as superstar soprano Diana Damrau makes her L.A. Opera debut as all four heroines opposite tenor Vittorio Grigolo as Hoffmann. Plácido Domingo conducts Marta Domingo’s production, last presented in 2002.
There’s more in store, so what could you ask for? So settle in and listen to the music.