‘Daniel’ reaches out to community
By Juliet Schoen / Theater Critic
Dozens of children were in the audience on Saturday as Los Angeles Opera presented “The Festival Play of Daniel,” at the downtown Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.
Not a peep was heard as the youngsters were enthralled by the music and pageantry. The cathedral became a stage and what seemed like a cast of thousands performed what was called by James Conlon, Los Angeles Opera orchestra director, “the first opera.” A passion play, with music, it was written in the 13th century by an unknown author. It was translated from Latin into English for this performance.
Although the set was simple, the costumes were gorgeous, most echoing the purple shades of the royal robes. The singers were all excellent, including three members of the Domingo/Thornton Young Artist Program. Starring along with Daniel and the two kings were three voracious lions beautifully “acted” by youngsters with attached leonine heads.
The orchestra was made up of members of the Los Angeles Opera orchestra, members of the Hamilton High School Academy of Music Symphony Orchestra and the Colburn School String Orchestras. The chorus consisted of singers from the choirs of several churches.
Among the cast members were Caleb Barnes as Angel; Yohan Yi as King Belshazzar; Danielle Walker as Queen; Robert MacNeil as King Darius; Greg Fedderly as Habakkuk; and Hak Soo Kim as Daniel.
This was Los Angeles Opera’s fourth free production at the church, as part of a community outreach program. Msgr. Kevin Kostelnik welcomed the hundreds of people who weathered the rain to enjoy a special musical treat.