The year was 1967. LBJ was prez, the cost of a new house was $14,250 and the price of a gallon of gas was 33 cents. It was the time of Twiggy and miniskirts while Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band hit the turntables.
That same year, a young tenor on tour with the New York City Opera took the stage of the (new!) Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. In the years since, Plácido Domingo has taken the city by storm and has made a profound impact on the Los Angeles-area cultural life. Together with Malibu’s Marc Stern they have taken a struggling company and turned it into a world-class arts institution, leaving many a memorable performance in their wake.
What better time than Nov. 17, 2017, to mark his 50th anniversary. The 50th anniversary gala began with a round of Laetitia wines and tasty bites like celery root chips with pomegranate and salmon with cream cheese.
The room was filled with classic tuxes while ladies seemed to favor a 1920s-inspired theme.
Dame Helen Mirren took a bit of a fashion risk on this one. “I am so glad you chose Asian attire,” she whispered. “I was worried I would be underdressed.” Happy to oblige Helen, and besides, how does one say “no” to the queen?
Not to worry, this 72-year-old star looked like a million bucks with her highly toned legs and fantastic figure.
Soon it was show time, featuring superb performances by conductor James Conlon, Uzo Aduba, Arturo Chaco Cruz, Michael Fabiano, Mario Chang, Nino Machaidze, Ana María Martínez, Liudmyla Monastyrska and Janai Brugger —heck, even country crooner Garth Brooks was there.
The performances were transcending, guaranteed to turn even the most hardened opera critic into a fan. LAO Chairman Marc Stern and wife Eva couldn’t have seemed to be more pleased.
“This is going to be an amazing season,” he told Malibu Seen, and just look at how far we have come.
He gives a lot of his praise to Plácido Domingo, whom he calls “a living legend.” For Plácido, the evening was filled with praise and good wishes.
“It’s difficult to express in just a few words, how much Plácido has meant to me, the Los Angeles Opera, the greater Los Angeles community and, frankly, the world over the past five decades,” Stern said. “Tonight’s gala can’t begin to convey the immense gratitude and affection that the LA Opera family holds for him. Nor does it reflect the magnitude of the impact he has had on the cultural life of Los Angeles.”
ENCORE!