CONTENTS
8 A WELCOME FROM PRESIDENT AND CEO CHRISTOPHER KOELSCH
10 THE 2024/25 SEASON
Highlights include four productions completely new to Los Angeles (including the company premiere of a modern-day classic), along with the return of an iconic favorite and a series of concerts starring four of today’s greatest leading ladies.
18 Y OUR CHANCE TO SHINE
A number of Connects initiatives give performers of all ages the opportunity to take the stage in LA Opera presentations.
P1 T ODAY'S PERFORMANCE
P4
FR OM OBSCENE TRIVIALITÀ TO TR AVIATA
Verdi master James Conlon explores the composer’s compassionate portrayals of society's outcasts.
Kerry
Dawn
Audrey
LA Opera’s productions from the Italian repertoire are made possible in part by an extraordinary leadership gift in memory of Luciano Pavarotti and in honor of his remarkable contributions to the world of opera.
Welcome to LA Opera
Dear friends:
For 120 years, La Traviata has reigned as a supreme expression of the heightened emotions that can only be fully experienced in the opera house. The story it tells is so grandly “operatic” that it’s sometimes hard to remember that it’s based on the life of a real woman, Marie Duplessis, who rose from poverty to become one of 19th-century Paris’s most celebrated courtesans before dying at the age of 23 from tuberculosis. Her tragically short life has inspired countless artists, beginning with writer Alexandre Dumas fils (one of her many lovers). His romantic novel La Dame aux Camélias, based on their all too brief fling, was published just a year after Marie’s death. In our own time, the stage musical Moulin Rouge!, a current Broadway smash hit, also takes inspiration from her life story.
The gorgeous production you are about to see, with Verdi master James Conlon in the pit and Rachel Willis-Sørensen in the leading role of Violetta, provides opera newcomers and seasoned aficionados alike with the perfect opportunity to see why Verdi’s masterpiece has held its place as one of the most beloved of all operas. Our cast also includes tenor Liparit Avetisyan in his company debut as Alfredo, and baritone Kihun Yoon, a distinguished alumnus of the Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program, in a most welcome return as Germont, his fourth leading role on our stage. We also welcome stage director Shawna Lucey for her debut production with our company.
We would not be able to present large-scale productions like La Traviata without the generous support of a number of our most dedicated friends: Andrea and Janie Pessino; the Jane and Peter Hemmings Production Fund, a gift from the Flora L. Thornton Trust; and The Emanuel Treitel Senior Citizen Fund. I am also honored to recognize special additional support from the Armenian Consortium; the Family of Ginger Conrad; The Norman and Sadie Lee Foundation; and the Orden Family in memory of their beloved patriarch and matriarch, Ted and Hedy. Rachel Willis-Sørensen’s return to us, after her sensational company debut in Otello last season, is made possible by generous support from The Eva and Marc Stern Principal Artists Fund. My deepest gratitude goes to all of these incredibly generous supporters.
Sincerely,
Christopher Koelsch SEBASTIAN PAUL AND MARYBELLE MUSCO PRESIDENT AND CEOLA OPERA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Marc Stern* HONORARY CHAIRMAN
Keith R. Leonard, Jr.* CHAIRMAN
Carol F. Henry* CHAIRMAN, EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Leslie A. Dorman* Robert Ronus* Eugene P. Stein* Régina Weingarten* Marilyn Ziering* VICE CHAIRMEN
Penelope D. Foley* TREASURER
Paul D. Tosetti* SECRETARY
Bernard A. Greenberg* VICE CHAIRMAN EMERITUS AND FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER
Ahsan Aijaz
Patricia Artigas
James R. Asperger
Haig S. Bagerdjian
Paul Bloch
Lisa Bratkovich
Iman H. Brivanlou, Ph.D.
Brian P. Brooks
Barbara Burtin
Marlene Schall Chávez, Ph.D.
Janet J. Ciriello, Ed.D.
James Conlon†
Robert Cook
Alexis Deutsch-Adler
Kathleen Kane Eberhardt
Chaz Hammel-Smith Ebert
Geoff Emery
Dr. Annette Ermshar
Michael A. Friedman, M.D.
Gordon P. Getty**
Ambassador Frank E.
Baxter
Alicia Garcia Clark
Alice Steere Coulombe
Juan Carlos Gonzalez
Thomas Gottschalk
Diane Gray
Mónica Gutiérrez Roper
Cornelia Haag-Molkenteller, M.D.
Nicolas Hamatake
Mary Hayley
Catherine H. Helm
William Chase
Hodge-Brokenburr
Tim C. Johnson*
Janet Jones
Richard Jones
Monique Regine Kagan
Lawrence A. Kern
Christopher Koelsch†*
Thomas F. Kranz
Scott R. Lord
Hon. Nora M. Manella
Don Franzen
Alexander Furlotti
Joan Hotchkis
Sherry Lansing
Claude Mann
Jennifer McCormick
Patricia McKenna*
Bryan Moeller
James Mulally
Gary W. Murphy
Gregory Nava
Leslie A. Pam, Ph.D.
Linda Pascotto*
Andrea Pessino*
Linda Pierce
Ceil Pulitzer**
Barry A. Sanders*
Lionel M. Sauvage*
Heinrich Schelbert, M.D., Ph.D.
R. Carlton Seaver*
Lisa See*
Tina L. Segel
Joan Seidel
LIFE TRUSTEES
Harold B. Ray
Mrs. Joseph A. Saunders‡
Marvin S. Shapiro
Mrs. Dennis Stanfill
Linda Shaheen*
Marilyn Shapiro
Susan Shapiro*
Eric L. Small
Dr. Vina Spiehler
Janet Stanford
Deanie Stein
Dr. Ellen G. Strauss
Mimi Won Techentin
Barbara Augusta Teichert
Sandra W. Terner‡
Brigitta B. Troy
Gillian Wagner
Christopher V. Walker*
Geoffrey P. Wharton
Andrew Xu
Zev Yaroslavsky
Ellen Zetcher
Joakim Zetterberg
Ann Ziff
Richard E. Troop
Alyce Williamson
Dr. A.M. Zarem‡
PRESIDENTS / CHAIRMEN OF LA OPERA SINCE ITS INCEPTION
Stephen D. Gavin
John A. McCone
Lawrence Deutsch
Bernard I. Forester
Kyhl Smeby
Edward W. Carter
Thomas Wachtell
Roy L. Ash
Bernard A. Greenberg
Richard Seaver
Leonard I. Green
Marc Stern
Frank E. Baxter
Carol F. Henry
Keith R. Leonard, Jr.
The 2024/25 Season
LA Opera’s 39th season embraces opera’s unparalleled sweep, grandeur and enchantment, with repertory spanning from the 17th century through works being written right now. For details, head to LAOpera.org
Madame Butterfly
SEP 21 – OCT 13, 2024
James Conlon begins his 19th season as music director with Puccini’s tearjerker, starring Karah Son and Jonathan Tetelman, in a cinematic new-to-Los Angeles production from Madrid by director Mario Gas.
Romeo and Juliet
NOV 2 – 23, 2024
Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers return in a revival of LA Opera’s popular staging of Gounod’s French operatic adaptation, with performances conducted by Domingo Hindoyan and Lina González-Granados.
Così fan tutte
MARCH 8 – 30, 2025
James Conlon will conduct Mozart’s classic comedy battle of the sexes, with a cast led by longtime company favorites Ana María Martínez and Rod Gilfry, in a delightful staging set in a swanky 1930s country club.
Ainadamar
APR 26 – MAY 18, 2025
Lina González-Granados conducts this flamenco-inspired opera by Argentine composer Osvaldo Golijov about the final days of poet/ playwright Federico García Lorca, starring Ana María Martínez, Daniela Mack and Vanessa Becerra.
Rigoletto
MAY 31 – JUNE 21, 2025
James Conlon conducts one of the most heartbreaking operas of them all. Quinn Kelsey, the premier Verdi baritone of his generation, sings the title role in a stunning production updated to Mussolini’s Italy.
Off Grand
This initiative explores a range of musical expression in different venues across the city. Upcoming highlights include a live performance of Gustavo Santaolalla’s new score for a Spanish-language film version of Dracula at the Ace, a musical journey to the Court of Versailles with baroque ensemble Les Talens Lyriques at Zipper Hall, and a new opera based on Atom Egoyan’s film Adoration at REDCAT. Learn more at LAOpera.org/OffGrand.
Dracula
Ainadamar
Rigoletto
Concerts at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
LA Opera's 2024/25 season will include concerts headlined by four of today's greatest star sopranos in appearances with the LA Opera Orchestra. First up is a holiday concert starring Kristin Chenoweth (December 14, 2024) followed by the first LAO appearance by Kelli O'Hara (February 1, 2025). Last seen at LAO as Tosca in 2022, Angel Blue (March 15, 2025) returns for a concert under the baton of Lina González-Granados. Finally, the iconic Renée Fleming (June 14, 2025) and special guests will take us on a sensational journey through your favorite musical showstoppers.
Recitals at The Wallis
LA Opera partners with The Wallis to present a trio of intimate recitals at that venue in Beverly Hills. Perhaps the greatest French lyric tenor of his generation, Benjamin Bernheim (November 9, 2024) makes his Los Angeles debut with pianist Carrie-Ann Matheson. After his recent Wotan in Das Rheingold with the LA Philharmonic, bassbaritone Ryan Speedo Green (January 19, 2025) returns to Los Angeles with pianist Adam Nielsen. Joshua Guerrero (June 7, 2025), who started his career at LAO and is now one of the most in-demand tenors in the world, returns in recital with pianist Peter Walsh.
Janie and Andrea Pessino
LA Opera is honored to thank Janie and Andrea Pessino for their underwriting support of this production of La Traviata. While fairly new to the LA Opera family, Mr. and Mrs. Pessino have already had an instrumental impact on the company. In 2022, Mr. Pessino joined the board of directors, and last season, he and Mrs. Pessino became members of the 30th Anniversary Angels—LA Opera’s premier support circle, demonstrating their deep commitment to the company. The couple made their underwriting debut this fall with the company’s production of The Barber of Seville. Mr. Pessino also serves on several board committees, including as a vice-chair of the marketing committee.
Mr. Pessino co-founded the video game development studio Ready At Dawn® in 2003 and, until 2020, was the company’s chief technical officer, producing technology for all of Ready At Dawn’s games to date— from Daxter to The Order 1886 and Lone Echo. He now serves as head of research, pursuing special R&D
projects. From 1998 to 2003, he was a senior software engineer with Blizzard Entertainment® where he authored core technologies for several blockbusters in the WarCraft® video game franchise.
A native of Italy, Mr. Pessino has lived and worked in California since 1990. He is a classically trained musician and an accomplished pianist and composer, having studied composition, harmony, and music theory. His orchestration work on the cinematics for Blizzard’s Diablo II® earned him the 2001 IGDA Game Developers Choice Award for “Excellence in Audio.”
LA Opera is most grateful to be among the recipients of the Pessinos’ generosity and dedication to this beautiful art form.
The Jane and Peter Hemmings Production Fund, a gift from the Flora L. Thornton Trust
When Peter Hemmings took the helm of a fledgling opera company in 1984, the prospects for success were doubtful at best. What started that year on a shoestring budget is now known as Los Angeles Opera. That it so quickly grew to become one of the world’s most important opera companies is a testament to Hemmings’ tenacity, intellect and vision as founding general director.
“I have always believed that opera is a vibrant, living art form with an exciting future, not simply a museum art,” said Hemmings. His drive to affirm opera’s place in Los Angeles, and to ensure its continued relevance, set the course for LA Opera to carve a niche as a place for innovation as well as tradition.
Hemming’s contributions are so interwoven into the fabric of LA Opera that the late Flora Laney
PHOTO BY KEN HOWARDThornton established the Jane and Peter Hemmings Production Fund in 2001 as a permanent memorial. A Founding Board Member and devoted benefactor of LA Opera, Mrs. Thornton noted that Peter Hemmings “triumphed as a steadfast and passionate leader, nurturing LA Opera and directing it toward its place in the spotlight.”
Mrs. Thornton was elected a Life Trustee in 1989. Her generosity to the company led to the establishment of one of the nation’s premier artist training programs. Now called the Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program, her legacy is carried on by other generous donors.
LA Opera is grateful for Mrs. Thornton’s continued endowment support in recognition of Jane and Peter Hemmings, which is providing generous support for this season’s production of La Traviata.
Emanuel Treitel Senior Citizen Fund
For many years, hundreds of senior citizens from every part of Los Angeles have had the opportunity to be captivated by the enthralling stories and soul-stirring music of great opera performances. These experiences have been made possible thanks to Emanuel Treitel, whose passion for opera and devotion to LA Opera led him to include a significant gift to the company in his estate.
Following his passing, his legacy ensures that LA Opera will continue to produce world class opera on its stage and provide Los Angeles seniors with access to the beauty and drama of opera in perpetuity, through the Emanuel Treitel Senior Citizen Fund.
Mr. Treitel was a subscriber and supporter of LA Opera from the company’s earliest seasons. He could frequently be found in the Founders Circle on opening nights and loved celebrating with the artists at seasonopening galas. As the years passed, he had to overcome physical challenges to attend performances at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, and he noticed that he wasn’t
alone in this. Beginning in 2015, Mr. Treitel made generous gifts to help senior citizens attend mainstage productions as well as to bring opera to local seniors through recitals in senior community centers, residences and care facilities. His legacy gift will support these programs for years to come.
Marc Stern, Honorary Chairman of the LA Opera board of directors, expressed his deep gratitude: “Manny’s commitment is so meaningful because it speaks to his deep love of opera and of this company. His gift continues to make a huge difference in the lives of many, many underserved seniors.”
With heartfelt thanks, LA Opera dedicates our yearround programs for seniors, and this run of La Traviata, to Mr. Treitel for sharing his love of opera with seniors, and all of us, across Los Angeles.
The Armenian Consortium
LA Opera is the grateful beneficiary of the steadfast generosity of the Armenian Consortium, a dedicated group of opera lovers who enjoy coming to the opera with their friends, children and grandchildren.
Since Joyce and Joseph Stein conceived of this initiative in 2019, two dozen community members have joined the Consortium to support the company and share a special evening. La Traviata is the fifth project to benefit from their passion and philanthropy.
The Consortium previously provided underwriting support for Roberto Devereux (2020), Aida (2022) , Tosca (2022) and Otello (2023) Additionally, the group donated to the LA Opera Relief Fund at the height of the COVID-19 crisis, and to the 2023 Opera Ball. We thank the individual members (and their families) listed below for supporting La Traviata and look forward to celebrating with them on opening night!
Linda Kay and John Abdulian
Any Yakoub Barr and Michael Barr
Ani and Nazareth Darakjian
Stephanie and Michael Landes
Margaret and David Mgrublian
Cheryl and Harry Nadjarian
Arsine and Gary Phillips
Sonia Randazzo
Tina Segel
Joyce and Joseph Stein
Hayde and Andy Torosyan
The Family of Ginger Conrad
LA Opera is honored to thank the family of Ginger Conrad for their special underwriting support of this production of La Traviata, made in celebration of their beloved matriarch’s 90th birthday. Ginger Conrad has been a devoted member of the LA Opera family for decades. As an Opera Council member, she travels often with the company to indulge her love of opera and has enjoyed many wonderful performances and opera gatherings with singers and friends at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.
Ginger has always had a passion for the arts, which led her to earn a degree in theater from Valparaiso University. While raising four children as a single mother, she built a career in publishing and went on to start her own magazine, Minority Business Entrepreneur (MBE) in 1984. MBE promotes business ownership and entrepreneurship for underrepresented founders and women as a means to building wealth, creating jobs and strengthening communities. In 1994, she wrote in her Publisher’s Page, which appeared in every issue: “We will achieve our goal when economic parity is a reality, when every individual, regardless of
race or sex, will be judged solely on his or her merit.”
Among her many accolades during her 27 years as MBE’s publisher, Ginger was named Media Advocate of the Year by the Small Business Administration - Los Angeles. She appeared on nationally syndicated television and radio programs and has been a featured speaker at major business and industry events.
Ginger retired at the age of 78. MBE continues to be published today.
In the ensuing years, Ginger has enjoyed her many pursuits. An avid traveler to numerous countries, she is also a voracious reader, loyal Pilates practicer, lover of live theater, and a beloved grandmother to her ten grandchildren.
LA Opera is delighted that Ginger has shared her lifelong passion for this enduring, ageless art form with her family and that they have chosen to honor her by supporting this exciting production of La Traviata.
Norman and Sadie Lee Foundation
Norman and Sadie Lee exemplified a couple who were committed to classical music in Los Angeles and to LA Opera since the company’s founding in 1986. Following their passings in 2005 and 2009, their legacy of dedication has continued through the Norman and Sadie Lee Foundation, led by their nephew Paul James, building an endowment that is generously supporting this production of La Traviata.
Norman and Sadie Lee, both British citizens, lived a life of generous philanthropy and community involvement. Norman was born in 1916 and was an engineer and industrialist in refrigerator manufacturing and property development. Sadie, born in 1911, was a schoolteacher. Both had a love of the arts, including music, dance and theater. Upon their retirements, they became active in the community in Los Angeles and throughout the world. Supporting the newly established LA Opera in 1986, they became subscribers and
donors. Mr. Lee became a board member and officer, serving until the 2001/02 season when he became a Life Trustee.
During that time, the Lees began their commitment to the future of LA Opera by establishing an endowment that they would enhance with annual contributions. The Norman and Sadie Lee Foundation has further supported LA Opera since their passing, contributing to their endowment and the company’s annual fund. They have built a legacy that now provides underwriting support for LA Opera’s productions annually, helping the company to continue to bring the beauty of the arts to generations to come.
The Orden Family
Special additional support for this production of La Traviata is given by the Orden family in loving memory of their beloved patriarch and matriarch, Ted and Hedy. Opera served as the main form of entertainment in their native Romania and La Traviata was among their favorites. This generous gift continues the family’s tradition of philanthropy at LA Opera, having underwritten the company’s productions of Madame Butterfly in 2016, Ted’s favorite, and Il Trovatore in 2021.
Ted and Hedy’s lives exemplified the American dream. Survivors of the Holocaust who also lived through the scourge of communism, they immigrated to the U.S. in 1959 with their two young daughters. Ted was a visionary entrepreneur who founded Thrifty Oil Co. In 1960, the year their third daughter was born, they opened their first service station. They rapidly expanded their business to become the largest independent owner and operator of service stations on the West Coast.
Ted and Hedy’s proudest accomplishment was in reuniting their extended family and bringing them to America. They never failed to express gratitude for
the opportunities their new nation provided for them. They were both born in Romania to prominent Jewish families. During World War II, Ted was sent to a forced labor camp and Hedy was sent to Auschwitz. They met after the war, and within 30 minutes Ted proposed marriage. They were the loves of each other’s lives and were happily married for 69 years. Their family misses the unconditional love, strength, determination and courage of their beloved parents. They will forever be grateful for the life and opportunities that they created for them.
LA Opera is grateful to the Orden family for their devotion to the company and for honoring Ted and Hedy by supporting this production of La Traviata.
The Eva and Marc Stern Principal Artists Fund
Soprano Rachel Willis-Sørensen’s appearance in the role of Violetta has been made possible thanks to generous support from The Eva and Marc Stern Principal Artists Fund. Through this leadership initiative, the Sterns underwrite the LA Opera appearances of the opera world’s most extraordinary artists each season. It is with great admiration that they have selected to underwrite the appearance of Ms. Willis-Sørensen, who returns to LA Opera this season following a remarkable debut as Desdemona in the company’s 2023 production of Otello.
Chairman of the company’s board of directors from 2002 to 2021, and now serving as Honorary Chairman, Marc Stern has been the driving force in bringing many of the world’s most influential artists to Los Angeles. The Sterns have been involved in nearly every aspect of LA Opera, championing more than 15 ambitious projects. Since the establishment of The Eva and Marc Stern Principal Artists Fund, they have underwritten the performances of major stars including Plácido Domingo, Susan Graham, Audra McDonald, Renée Fleming, Angel Blue, Ana María Martínez and Isabel Leonard. The Sterns were also the underwriters for Mr. Domingo’s 50th Anniversary Celebration at the Met. In recognition of their extraordinary commitment to LA Opera and The Music Center, the Eva and Marc Stern Grand Hall in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion was named in their honor in 2010. In 2021, the Sterns established the Eva and Marc Stern Artist Award to celebrate and support extraordinarily gifted artists in opera who have a particular connection to LA Opera. In 2022, an onstage gala was held to honor Mr. and Mrs. Stern and to celebrate Mr. Stern’s 20 years as chairman of LA Opera. The celebration was the most successful fundraising event in LA Opera history, the proceeds of which Mr. and Mrs. Stern generously matched.
Marc Stern is Chairman of The TCW Group, Inc., a Los Angeles-based asset management firm. He was elected to LA Opera’s board in 1992 and is involved in numerous other philanthropic activities, including serving on the boards of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Metropolitan Opera, the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Committee and the
California Institute of Technology. He is also a minority owner of the Milwaukee Brewers.
Eva Stern is a clinical social worker and philanthropist, supporting Southern California youth through the combination of education and the arts. A board member of the Alliance for College-Ready Public Schools, in 2006 she led the effort to establish the Marc and Eva Stern Math and Science School. Inspired by her work with the high school, she established AMP, a special mentoring program for first-year college students. She also serves on the President’s Council at California State University, Los Angeles, on the board of The Blue Ribbon, and is a past chair of InsideOUT Writers, a creative writing program for youth in juvenile hall.
With deepest gratitude, LA Opera acknowledges Mr. and Mrs. Stern for their decades of committed leadership and extraordinary generosity.
LA OPERA CONNECTS
Your Chance to Shine
Have you ever dreamed of performing on stage with a professional opera company? LA Opera Connects is committed to making sure everyone has a chance to experience opera. Whether you’re seated in the audience or on stage as a performer, there’s always an opportunity to join us throughout the year.
This spring, our annual Community Opera returns with volunteer singers, instrumentalists, actors and dancers of all ages and experience levels joining LAO professionals at the stunning Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. Music lovers just like you will bring Benjamin Britten’s family favorite Noah’s Flood to life with stunning sets, colorful costumes and the expert musical direction of James Conlon. Interested in joining our cast next year? Reserve your tickets now for a performance on May 3 or 4 and see what the excitement is all about. Learn more at LAOpera.org/Noah
For young performers eager to continue learning and growing over the summer months, look no further than Opera Camp. This enriching program is designed just for students ages 9-17, who will receive extensive musical, dramatic and movement coaching daily with Connects teaching artists. After two weeks, we’ll perform a fully staged opera, right here at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion (and have a blast doing it). One recent camper told us:
“I enjoyed absolutely everything about Opera Camp! From the fun movement exercises to the music and staging rehearsals to playing character roles to making friends, this Opera Camp could not have been more perfect for me! ... I have become tremendously more confident performing, both in terms of musical technique and interpretation.”
Many Opera Camp alums have gone on to sing professionally, and students can take this unique experience and the skills they build with them to careers in any field. Applications are open now at LAOpera.org/OperaCamp, and scholarships are available. Give your aspiring artist a summer they’ll never forget.
As our campers go back to school, the Zarzuela Project returns for another thrilling season of Spanishlanguage musical theater. Each Wednesday evening, you’ll learn to sing, dance and act by performing zarzuela, a form of operetta popular throughout Spain and Latin America. It’s rhythmic, dramatic and fun for all ages, so bring the whole family and make new friends in an uplifting, creative environment. The season culminates with a public performance so you can share the pure joy of zarzuela with your community.
Not ready to be in the spotlight just yet? Take advantage of our many affordable ticketing programs to join us as an audience member (one of the most important roles in any opera). Visit LAOpera.org/Connects to learn how your group can get discounted—and sometimes even free—tickets through programs including Community Circle, Veterans Circle, Senior Center Dress Rehearsals, College Nights, Elementary Student Matinees and so much more. Whatever your age or background, we can’t wait to see you at LA Opera.
Don Giovanni
WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART
September 23 – October 15, 2023
Production made possible by generous support from Gregory Annenberg Weingarten, GRoW @ Annenberg; The Blue Ribbon; The Carol and Warner Henry Production Fund for Mozart Operas; and Alfred and Claude Mann Fund. With special appreciation to Régina and Gregory Annenberg Weingarten. Isabel Leonard’s appearance made possible by generous support from The Eva and Marc Stern Principal Artists Fund.
The Barber of Seville
October 21 – November 12, 2023
GIOACHINO ROSSINI
Production made possible by generous support from Andrea and Janie Pessino and the Tarasenka Pankiv Fund (Tara Colburn). With special support from Laura and Carlton Seaver. Isabel Leonard’s appearance made possible by generous support from The Eva and Marc Stern Principal Artists Fund.
The Bride of Frankenstein with Live Orchestra
FRANZ WAXMAN
October 27-28, 2023, at the Theatre at Ace Hotel
Off Grand productions are supported by a consortium of generous donors to LA Opera’s Contemporary Opera Initiative, chaired by Barry and Nancy Sanders. Piano graciously provided by Yamaha.
El último sueño de Frida y Diego
November 18 – December 9, 2023
GABRIELA LENA FRANK / NILO CRUZ
Production made possible by generous support from the Bernard A. and Lenore S. Greenberg Opera Fund and Margo Leavin. Additional support provided by a consortium of generous donors to LA Opera’s Contemporary Opera Initiative, chaired by Barry and Nancy Sanders.
Rodelinda
November 21, 2023
GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL
Special support from Mr. Robert Finnerty and Mr. Richard Cullen.
Audra McDonald in Concert
December 2, 2023
Piano graciously provided by Yamaha.
Highway 1, USA
WILLIAM GRANT STILL
The Dwarf ALEXANDER ZEMLINSKY
February 24 – March 17, 2024
Founding and ongoing leadership support for the Recovered Voices project provided by Marilyn Ziering and the Ziering Family Foundation. Production made possible by generous support from Gregory Annenberg Weingarten, GRoW @ Annenberg. Principal underwriting support provided by a generous anonymous gift. Special additional support from Thurmond Smithgall and The Lanie & Ethel Foundation. With special appreciation to Régina and Gregory Annenberg Weingarten. Special additional support for Highway 1, USA from National Endowment for the Arts and OPERA America/Next Stage. Kaneza Schaal’s direction of Highway 1, USA is generously underwritten by a gift from The Piera Barbaglia Shaheen Next Generation Artist Award.
2023/24 SEASON
LA Opera Orchestra generously underwritten by Terri and Jerry Kohl
La Traviata
April 6 – 27, 2024
GIUSEPPE VERDI
Production made possible by generous support from Andrea and Janie Pessino; the Jane and Peter Hemmings Production Fund, a gift from the Flora L. Thornton Trust; and the Emanuel Treitel Senior Citizen Fund. Special additional support from the Armenian Consortium; the family of Ginger Conrad; The Norman and Sadie Lee Foundation; and the Orden Family in memory of their beloved patriarch and matriarch, Ted and Hedy. Rachel Willis-Sørensen’s appearance made possible by generous support from The Eva and Marc Stern Principal Artists Fund.
Book of Mountains and Seas HUANG RUO
April 10 – 14, 2024, at the The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage Off Grand productions are supported by a consortium of generous donors to LA Opera’s Contemporary Opera Initiative, chaired by Barry and Nancy Sanders.
Patti LuPone in Concert
April 20, 2024
Piano graciously provided by Yamaha.
Noah’s Flood
May 3 – 4, 2024, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels
BENJAMIN BRITTEN
Production made possible by a generous grant from the Dan Murphy Foundation. Special support also received from the City of Los Angeles, Department of Cultural Affairs; Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture; and Mrs. Joseph A. Saunders. Piano graciously provided by Yamaha.
Turandot
May 18 – June 8, 2024
GIACOMO PUCCINI
Production made possible by generous support from Alfred and Claude Mann Fund and Barbara Augusta Teichert. Additional generous support from The Estate of Cat Pollon.
Fire and Blue Sky
June 6, 2024
Renée Fleming in Recital
June 15, 2024
JOEL THOMPSON
30th Anniversary Angels
MARC STERN, CHAIRWe celebrate our 30th Anniversary Angels who build on the inspiring legacy of the company’s Founding Angels and the many generous Angels who followed them. (See pages P14 and P15.) They have provided the necessary foundational support for world-class opera in Los Angeles.
Sebastian Paul and Marybelle Musco
Marc and Eva Stern Foundation
GRoW @ Annenberg
The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation
Colburn Foundation
County of Los Angeles
Dunard Fund USA
Gordon Getty
The Lenore S. and Bernard A. Greenberg Fund
Carol and Warner Henry
Terri and Jerry Kohl
Claude Mann and Alfred E. Mann Estate
Ronus Foundation
The Seaver Family
Marilyn Ziering
Mr. Harold Alden and Dr. Geraldine Alden
The Blue Ribbon
Ana and Robert Cook
Mark Houston Dalzell and James Dao-Dalzell
Malsi Doyle and Michael Forman
The Alexander Furlotti Foundation
Max H. Gluck Foundation
Peter and Diane Gray
The Green Foundation
Margo Leavin
Lauren B. Leichtman and Arthur E. Levine Family Foundation
Nanette and Keith Leonard
LGHG Foundation
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
Dan Murphy Foundation
The Okun Family, in memory of Milton Okun
Linda and Alvaro Pascotto
Andrea and Janie Pessino
Ceil and Michael E. Pulitzer
Suzanne Rheinstein, in honor of Fred Rheinstein
Lloyd E. Rigler – Lawrence E. Deutsch Foundation
Kenneth D. Sanson, Jr., Trust
Ariane and Lionel Sauvage
David and Linda Shaheen
Eugene and Marilyn Stein
Barbara Augusta Teichert
Emanuel Treitel Trust
Christopher V. Walker
Richard and Lenore Wayne
Ann Ziff
Selim K. Zilkha and Mary Hayley / Selim K. Zilkha Foundation
PROGRAM
CHRISTOPHER KOELSCH , SEBASTIAN PAUL AND MARYBELLE MUSCO PRESIDENT AND CEO JAMES CONLON , RICHARD SEAVER MUSIC DIRECTOR
PRESENTS
GIUSEPPE VERDI
La Traviata
Libretto by Francesco Maria Piave, based on the play La Dame aux Camélias by Alexandre Dumas fils
CREATIVE TEAM
CONDUCTOR
James Conlon
CONDUCTOR (APRIL 18)
Louis Lohraseb ‡
DIRECTOR
Shawna Lucey*
SCENIC AND COSTUME DESIGNER
Robert Innes Hopkins*
ORIGINAL LIGHTING DESIGNER
Michael Clark *
REVIVAL LIGHTING DESIGNER
Davida Tkach
CHORUS DIRECTOR
Jeremy Frank
CHOREOGRAPHER
John Heginbotham*
FIGHT DIRECTOR
Andrew Kenneth Moss
INTIMACY DIRECTOR
Sara E. Widzer
STAGE MANAGER
Miranda Wilson
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Matthew Haney
PROMPTER
Blair Salter
MUSICAL PREPARATION
Manuel Arellano †
Bryndon Hassman
Peter Walsh ‡
ARTISTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
CAST
VIOLETTA VALÉRY Rachel Willis-Sørensen
ALFREDO GERMONT Liparit Avetisyan*
GIORGIO GERMONT Kihun Yoon ‡
GASTONE DE LETORIÈRES Julius Ahn*
BARON DOUPHOL Patrick Blackwell
MARQUIS D’OBIGNY Ryan Wolfe †
DR. GRENVIL Alan Williams †
FLORA BERVOIX Sarah Saturnino †
ANNINA Deepa Johnny †
GIUSEPPE James Callon
A MESSENGER James Martin Schaefer
FLORA’S SERVANT Steven Pence
SUPPORT
Production made possible by generous support from Andrea and Janie Pessino
Jane and Peter Hemmings Production Fund, a gift from the Flora L. Thornton Trust
The Emanuel Treitel Senior Citizen Fund
Special additional support from The Armenian Consortium
The Family of Ginger Conrad
The Norman and Sadie Lee Foundation
The Orden Family in memory of their beloved patriarch and matriarch, Ted and Hedy
Rachel Willis-Sørensen’s appearance made possible by generous support from
The Eva and Marc Stern Principal Artists Fund
LA Opera Orchestra generously underwritten by Terri and Jerry Kohl
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PRODUCTION NOTES
The running time is approximately two hours and 55 minutes, including two intermissions.
Supertitles for La Traviata, by Jerry Sherk, are provided by the San Francisco Opera Association. Pre-performance talks by James Conlon and, on April 18, Dr. Kristi Brown-Montesano. Pre-performance talks are generously sponsored by the Flora L. Thornton Foundation and the Opera League of Los Angeles. Production from San Francisco Opera. Additional costumes constructed by the Los Angeles Opera Costume Shop. Wigs constructed by the Los Angeles Opera Wig & Make-Up Department.
* LA Opera debut
† Member of the Domingo-ColburnStein Young Artist Program
‡ Alumnus of the Domingo-ColburnStein Young Artist Program
Please refrain from talking during the performance, and turn off all cell phones, electronic devices and watch alarms. If you are using an assistive hearing device, or are attending with someone who is, please make sure that it is set to an appropriate level to avoid distracting audio feedback. Latecomers will be seated at the discretion of the house management. Members of the audience who leave during the performance will not be shown back into the theater until the next intermission. The use of cameras and recording equipment is strictly prohibited. Your use of a ticket acknowledges your willingness to appear in photographs taken in public areas of the Music Center and releases the Center and its lessees and others from liability resulting from use of such photographs. Any microphones onstage are used for recording or broadcast purposes only; onstage voices are not amplified.
ACT I
A party is taking place at the home of Violetta Valéry, the most famous courtesan in all of Paris. Gastone arrives and presents his friend Alfredo Germont, telling Violetta that Alfredo has long been a silent admirer, calling every day during her illness to ask about her. Violetta’s lover Baron Douphol is angered by the conversation and refuses to propose a toast when Gastone suggests it. Alfredo accepts the invitation instead, singing an impassioned tribute to beauty and love. Later, as the others go to another room to dance, Violetta is overcome by a fainting spell. Alfredo stays behind and confesses that he has been in love with her for a year. Violetta tells him his love won’t last but gives him a flower, bidding him return when it has withered. Alfredo joyously accepts and bids her goodnight. When her guests have gone, Violetta imagines Alfredo’s proffered love—the one forbidden thing for any courtesan—but finally rejects love, declaring that she must remain forever free to pass from pleasure to pleasure.
INTERMISSION
ACT II
Scene 1: Violetta is living with Alfredo in the country, having abandoned her life as the most desired woman in Paris. Annina, Violetta’s maid and confidante, enters and tells Alfredo she has been sent to arrange the sale of Violetta’s property, which must be sold to pay their debts. Alfredo suddenly understands the sacrifices that Violetta has made to live with him. He leaves for Paris, determined not to be shamed by her monetary support. Violetta receives an unexpected visitor, Giorgio Germont, her lover’s father. When Germont comments on the luxury of the country retreat, Violetta shows him the papers that have been prepared for the sale of her possessions. He asks her to give up Alfredo, explaining that their relationship is endangering the impending marriage of Alfredo’s younger sister. Germont reminds Violetta that their bond is not blessed by the church, nor would it produce a legitimate family and, in fact, would ruin any social standing Alfredo’s middle-class family has. Violetta is persuaded to leave Alfredo forever, and is writing to Alfredo as he returns. Not realizing his father has already arrived, Alfredo tells her that Germont has written him a stern letter, but he feels sure his father will approve of Violetta as soon as he sees her. Pretending to leave so as not to be present during
the meeting of father and son, Violetta goes out. A messenger returns with Violetta’s letter of farewell. Alfredo is stricken with grief at the loss of Violetta, and when his father tries to persuade him to return to his family, Alfredo refuses. Finding an invitation that Flora had sent Violetta, Alfredo realizes that his worst nightmare—that Violetta would go back to the Baron—has come true.
Please remain seated during the brief scene change.
Scene 2: Flora and her lover, the Marquis, are throwing a party full of naughty entertainment for the most important aristocracy in Paris. Alfredo arrives as the guests are beginning to gamble, followed by Violetta, escorted by Baron Douphol. Alfredo, victorious in gambling, explains that he who is unlucky in love is lucky at cards. Incensed at Alfredo’s insolence, the Baron challenges him to play. Alfredo repeatedly beats the Baron at high stakes. When all the others go to dinner, Violetta remains behind to entreat Alfredo to leave lest the Baron challenge him to a duel. Alfredo answers that he will leave, but only if she leaves with him. Unable to reveal her true feelings, Violetta declares that she is in love with the Baron. Alfredo, in a frenzy of jealousy, calls all the guests into the room. In a rage, he throws money at Violetta’s feet, proclaiming that he has now paid her in full. Germont enters just in time to see Alfredo’s violent behavior and joins the others in condemning him for his conduct. Alfredo is contrite but realizes that he is helpless to make amends. The Baron assures Alfredo that he must answer for the insult on the field of honor.
INTERMISSION
ACT III
Violetta’s illness has brought her to the point of death. Her physician, Dr. Grenvil, tells Annina that she has but a few hours to live. Violetta reads a letter from the elder Germont, in which she learns that Alfredo had gone abroad after wounding the Baron in a duel. But he now knows of the great sacrifice that Violetta has made and is returning to beg her forgiveness. Alfredo returns and the two are reunited at last. But it is too late. Violetta, comforted by the presence of the man whom she has so tragically loved, dies in his arms. Synopsis courtesy of San Francisco Opera
From obscene Trivialità to Traviata
The third of Giuseppe Verdi’s “middle-period trilogy” of masterpieces, La Traviata is arguably Verdi’s most popular opera. Several years after the trilogy was completed, when he was asked what his best opera was thus far, he answered: “Speaking as a professional, Rigoletto; speaking as an amateur, La Traviata.”
I have often mused on what he meant by this statement. La Traviata (the inoffensive title can be translated as “a woman led astray” or “corrupted”) has always spoken directly to the hearts of opera lovers. Its wealth of melodic invention and expressive vocalism, so perfectly wed to the touching and tragic love story, reverberated on a personal level with its creator.
This middle-period trilogy consists of Rigoletto (premiered on March 11, 1851), Il Trovatore (January 19, 1853) and La Traviata (March 6, 1853). I cite the dates of the premieres lest anyone overlook that Verdi wrote them in an astonishingly short time. That Trovatore and Traviata, written so closely together, are so different is remarkable. Their brand of romanticism captured both a sense of completion and of summing up the previous hundred years of operatic theater, and is the vestibule to the future, which Verdi himself sets out in these works.
The common thread that weaves through these works is the presentation of protagonists who are society’s cast-offs. Verdi saw potential for explosive dramatic material in the lives of a misanthropic hunchbacked jester, a tragically crazed Roma woman and a Parisian courtesan.
Violetta accuses no one, assumes total responsibility for her life, and dies of consumption. She turns her society’s hypocrisy on its head, demonstrates that this woman of “fallen virtue” personifies genuine love in contrast to the proponents of bourgeois morality. Verdi, by portraying a consumptive courtesan as a heroine, an incarnation of generous and boundless love, struck an unexpected chord in the history of Italian opera.
The tragedy of La Traviata is essentially that of premature death, whose omnipresence is established in the first bar of the prelude. Violetta, condemned by incurable tuberculosis, has risen from a childhood of misery to become a cultivated young woman of intelligence and depth, with an authentic capacity to love.
It is the tragedy of the collision of the values of this authentic love with the rigidity of provincial bourgeois values. Verdi was no stranger to these conflicts and he frequently explored the conflicting demands of love and duty. As in many Verdi operas, there is, in the end, a suffering father. A well-meaning guardian of conventional morals, the father, Germont, in opposing the union of his son with a (now former) courtesan, would expel her from the “Garden of Eden” of committed love and banish her to return to the world of prostitution. He breaks her heart and her will, and he destroys the quality of life for what little time is left to her, all with the assurance that he is doing God’s will. He recognizes his own culpability only at the moment of Violetta’s death.
Without endorsing psychobiography as the source of the composer’s inspiration, one cannot ignore the long history of Verdi’s resentment of authority, the conflicts with the provincial mentality of his native city of Busseto, and the denigration of his (not yet) wife Giuseppina on account of their open relationship and her “problematic” past. That Verdi knew, first hand, the world that he was describing in La Traviata, there can be no doubt. His daring to bring such matters to the Italian stage was remarkable in the context of his time.
Verdi’s boldness can be measured by the reaction of the authorities. Two years earlier, when Verdi submitted the libretto to Rigoletto, the Venetian censors deplored that the composer and his poet Francesco Maria Piave were not able to find a better vehicle for their talents than a libretto of “repulsive immorality and obscene triviality.” They could well have repeated that accusation against La Traviata but settled for changing its title from Amore e morte (Love and Death) to La Traviata—a subtle but tempered bit of moralizing.
Could it be that they tacitly recognized not only the “repulsive immorality” of the Parisian drawing rooms, complete with carousing and gambling, but also that of Father Germont’s worldview? Might it be that they had recognized the moral triumph of the heroine, the woman “led astray,” who became a symbol of selfless love? Did they realize that Verdi had exalted a woman who transformed herself from a life of “obscene triviality” to “The Woman” who conquered the world’s heart as “La Traviata”?
Verdi’s heroine is based on an actual person who is known by many names—Alphonsine, Marguerite, Marie and, in our opera, Violetta. She was the object of obsession and fascination to an entire society in 19th-century Paris. The most famous escort of the age, she inspired works of literature, lithography and opera.
She began life in rural France, the child of a father so violent he almost beat her mother to death. When she was still a child, her father sold her to a deviant old man in their village. According to lore, he either sold her to a group of travelers or merely dropped her off in Paris when she was around age 11 or 12. From that point, she not only taught herself to read and write but worked her way up the informal ladder from grisette to full-blown sex worker.
Our real-life Violetta went on to host the most sophisticated salons, which teemed with the greatest intellectuals in Paris. Not only was composer and pianist Franz Liszt among her lovers, her bedmates included the author and playwright Alexandre Dumas fils, and his father, the successful novelist behind The Three Musketeers. Her fame continues to reverberate well beyond her short life of 23 years.
Violetta is a woman who never knew a relationship that wasn’t transactional until her love for Alfredo. Nor did she know a moment of privacy—not even in death. The debt collectors gambled outside her bedroom, waiting for her to die in order to sell her remaining possessions.
When La Traviata was first produced in 1853, Verdi’s intentions were that it be set in the time of the real woman, Marie Duplessis. The censors balked at the salacious topic and forced it to be set in the mid-1600s. Not until the 1880s were the composer’s wishes respected and the clothing changed to reflect the contemporaneous setting.
Our new design delves into Violetta’s life on display, with her only respite being the country house of Act II. Here we glimpse her healing through love for mere moments before the demands of this society crash through her Garden of Eden in the form of Alfredo’s father.
La Traviata lives at the intersection of money, sex and love. When Violetta sees a father who fights for his daughter as equally as he would for his son, she recognizes what she never had in her life. Violetta continues to fascinate and intrigue us because she overcame every element of violence and oppression to make her own fate. She is an archetype of the strength of women, who for time immemorial have fought against the systems created to oppress them—a fight we continue even today in 2024.
PHOTO BY BONNIE PERKINSONFrom: New York City, New York.
LA Opera: La Traviata (2006, debut); 68 different operas and over 460 performances to date. He has been Richard Seaver Music Director since 2006. Later this season, he will conduct Turandot.
About: He has led virtually every major North American and European orchestra and over 270 performances at the Metropolitan Opera. He has been Principal Conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra of the RAI in Torino (2016-20), Music Director of the Ravinia Festival (2005-15), Principal Conductor of the Paris National Opera (19952004), General Music Director of the City of Cologne (1989-2002), Music Director of the Rotterdam Philharmonic (1983-91) and Music Director of the Cincinnati May Festival (1979-2016), where is now Music Director Laureate. He has won three Grammy Awards and was awarded France’s Légion d’Honneur. (JamesConlon.com)
Louis Lohraseb
CONDUCTOR (APRIL 18)
From: Rotterdam, New York.
LA Opera: Tosca (2022, mainstage debut); The Barber of Seville (2023); Psycho with the LA Opera Orchestra (2019). He is an alumnus of the DomingoColburn-Stein Young Artist Program (2018-20). About: Since his 2019 professional debut at the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, he has established himself as an exciting young conductor of both symphonic and operatic repertoire. His appearances this season include debuts with the Hamburg State Opera for The Marriage of Figaro and with Atlanta Opera for A Midsummer Night’s Dream, as well as a concert with the Peoria Symphony. Recent engagements include Carmen with the Semperoper Dresden, La Traviata with the Komische Oper Berlin, Massenet’s rarely performed Thérèse with Sarasota Opera and Così fan tutte with Tel Aviv Summer Opera. He also conducted Don Giovanni and La Rondine with Indiana University’s IU Opera Theatre. (LouisLohraseb.com)
Shawna Lucey
DIRECTORFrom: Houston, Texas.
LA Opera: debut.
About: Her work has been seen at the Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, Dallas Opera, Opera Theatre of St. Louis, Santa Fe Opera, and many others. Her legacy production of Tosca launched San Francisco Opera’s 99th season in 2021 and was followed in 2022 by her centennial celebration legacy production of La Traviata. She made her directorial debut with Opera San José in 2018 with La Traviata, and she launched that company’s 2023/24 season with a new production of Roméo et Juliette, followed by Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci at Lyric Opera of Kansas City. Since 2022, she has been general director and CEO of Opera San José, Silicon Valley's premiere opera company. She boasts an international reputation, staging works in Spain, Russia, Germany, Gran Teatre del Liceu, the Bolshoi Theater and Schauspiel Hannover, among many others. (ShawnaLucey.com)
Michael James Clark
ORIGINAL LIGHTING
From: Houston, Texas.
LA Opera: debut.
About: He is the Head of Lighting for Houston Grand Opera, where his many credits include mainstage and outdoor productions as well as the world premieres of The Snowy Day, The Phoenix, Some Light Emerges and Cruzar la Cara de la Luna. This season’s engagements include Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci with Lyric Opera of Kansas City, La Bohème with Canadian Opera Company, Parsifal, Falstaff and Meilina Tsui’s The Big Swim with Houston Grand Opera, and Joel Thompson’s The Snowy Day with Portland Opera. He has designed San Francisco Opera productions of Tosca and La Traviata and he will return this summer for La Bohème. He also has designed lighting for Teatro La Fenice, Stages Repertory Theatre, Theatre Under the Stars and the 2007 Prague Quadrennial. He holds a degree in lighting design from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.
Robert Innes Hopkins
SCENERY AND COSTUMES
From: London, England. LA Opera: debut.
About: A multi-award-winning international production designer and digital artist, he has designed opera, theater and large-scale events to critical acclaim in Europe, America and worldwide. Recent and upcoming projects include Tristan und Isolde and L’Elisir d’Amore (San Francisco Opera); Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci (Deutsche Oper Berlin); The Flying Dutchman (Teatro Comunale di Bologna); 1923 (Istanbul’s Zorlu Performing Arts); Orfeo ed Euridice/Dido and Aeneas (Grange Festival); All’s Well That Ends Well (Royal Shakespeare Company); Die Fledermaus (Opera Theatre of Saint Louis); Wagner’s Ring cycle (Lyric Opera of Chicago); Rigoletto and War and Peace (Welsh National Opera); L’Italiana in Algeri (Santa Fe Opera). (RobertInnesHopkins.com)
Davida Tkach
REVIVAL LIGHTING
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada. LA Opera: debut.
About: Davida Tkach is a New York City-based lighting designer for opera, theater, dance and special events. Her work in opera includes five seasons as an assistant lighting designer at the San Francisco Opera, recent productions of Antony and Cleopatra by John Adams for the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona, Salome for the Canadian Opera Company and Rigoletto for Opera San José. Other recent credits include Tiny Pretty Things (Netflix); August: Osage County (Soulpepper); Wrong For Each Other and Old Love (The Foster Festival); Mikveh (Harold Green Jewish Theatre); and A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline (Western Theatre Company). She has worked for the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, New York City Ballet, New York City Opera, and has worked on and off Broadway. She is a graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada and completed the Hemsley Lighting Design Internship in 2011. (DavidaTkachDesign.com)
MEET THE ARTISTS
Jeremy Frank CHORUS DIRECTORJohn Heginbotham
CHOREOGRAPHER
From: Glendive, Montana.
PHOTO BY MARSHA FEINBERG PHOTO BY AMBER STAR MERKENSLA Opera: He became Chorus Director in 2022, after working on over 75 productions as associate chorus director and/or assistant conductor. He is a coach for the Domingo-ColburnStein Young Artist Program.
About: He has collaborated with major opera houses throughout the United States and has prepared operas and vocal chamber music at the Los Angeles Philharmonic, working with Gustavo Dudamel, Esa Pekka Salonen, Phillipe Jordan, Grant Gershon, Barbara Hannigan and Pablo Heras-Casado. A pianist and vocal coach, he is an Adjunct Lecturer in Vocal Arts and Opera at the University of Southern California. As a pianist, he has partnered with Sondra Radvanovsky, Eric Owens, Brandon Jovanovich, J’nai Bridges, Dolora Zajick, Kate Lindsey and Susan Graham. He helped prepare Seattle Opera’s Ring cycle in 2013 and has been a guest faculty member for young artist programs at Utah Opera and Seattle Opera. (JeremyMFrank.com)
Andrew Kenneth Moss
From: Corning, New York.
LA Opera: Il Trovatore (2021, debut); Aida (2022); Lucia di Lammermoor (2022); Tosca (2022); Otello (2023); Don Giovanni (2023); Highway 1, USA (2024).
About: He has worked on productions including Armida at the Metropolitan Opera, SAFE at the Edinburgh Theatre Festival, A Little Night Music at the Huntington Theatre Company, Cold Mountain at Music Academy of the West and Carmen, Don Giovanni, I Puritani and Greek at Boston Lyric Opera. New York credits include Forever Dusty for New World Stages and Pinocchio’s Ashes for Theater for a New City. He staged combat for Dead Man Walking, West Side Story, The Seven Deadly Sins and Oklahoma! as resident fight director at Central City Opera.
From: Anchorage, Alaska. LA Opera: debut as choreographer; he was a lead dancer in L’Allegro, il Penseroso, ed il Moderato (2011).
About: A choreographer, performer and teacher, he was a member of the Mark Morris Dance Group (1998-2012), performing lead roles in numerous productions. His work on Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy (S3E1: “Meet the Family”) was nominated for a World Choreography Award. He choreographed Daniel Fish’s production of Oklahoma!, which won the 2019 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical and the 2023 Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival on London’s West End. He is the founder and artistic director of Dance Heginbotham, a New Yorkbased contemporary dance company. His work in opera includes La Traviata at San Francisco Opera; Girls of the Golden West in San Francisco and Amsterdam; The Magic Flute at Opera Theatre of St. Louis; and Alceste with the American Classical Orchestra. (@johnheginbotham)
Sara E. Widzer
INTIMACY DIRECTOR
From: Los Angeles, California. LA Opera: directed The Death of Orpheus (2020, debut); livestream director of Il Trovatore (2021); intimacy director for several productions including this season’s Don Giovanni, Highway 1, USA and Turandot.
About: This season’s engagements include stage/intimacy direction for the world premiere of Carla Lucero’s touch with Opera Birmingham and stage/intimacy direction for Cabildo/Proving Up with Eklund Opera at UC Boulder. Previous intimacy direction: La Bohème (Washington National Opera); Semele (Opera Santa Barbara); After Glow (film by Ryan McKinny). Previous stage direction: La Bohème (CSUN), Semele (Opera Santa Barbara), Carmen (Opera Orlando), La Tragédie de Carmen (Opera Santa Barbara, Charleston Opera Theatre), The Flying Dutchman (Hawaii Opera Theatre, VA Opera), The Music Man (Royal Opera House, Muscat). (SaraEWidzer.com)
Rachel Willis-Sørensen
VIOLETTA
PHOTO BY LUKAS BECKSOPRANO
From: Tri-Cities, Washington.
LA Opera: Desdemona in Otello (2023, debut).
About: A regular guest at leading opera houses, Rachel Willis-Sørensen is known for her diverse repertoire ranging from Mozart to Wagner. Le Monde enthused: “…the American soprano has without a doubt one of the most impressive voices in the opera world. The timbre, of marmoreal beauty, is striking, the projection telluric...” Her second album, featuring Strauss’s Four Last Songs, came out last year. Highlights of her 2023/24 season include Elisabeth in Don Carlos in Geneva, both Desdemona in Otello and Elena in I Vespri Siciliani in Vienna, Antonia in The Tales of Hoffmann for her debut at the Paris Opera, and both Elsa in Lohengrin and Mahler’s 8th Symphony in Munich. This summer, she will make her Santa Fe Opera debut as the Marschallin in Der Rosenkavalier. (RachelWillisSorensen.com; social media: @rachelwillissorensen)
Kihun Yoon
GERMONT
BARITONE
From: Seoul, South Korea.
LA Opera: 11 roles to date including Sharpless in Madama Butterfly (2016); Scarpia in Tosca (2017); Marcello in La Bohème (2019). He is an alumnus of the Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program (2013-17).
About: Currently a principal artist at the Oldenburgisches Staatstheater, he will become a principal artist at Badisches Staatstheater Karlsruhe next season. Acclaimed as Wotan in Die Walküre, Alberich in Das Rheingold, Wanderer in Siegfried, title role in Rigoletto, Renato in Un Ballo in Maschera, Méphistophélès in The Damnation of Faust and Joseph De Rocher in Dead Man Walking, he has established himself as a versatile and compelling performer. Das Opernmagazin lauded his portrayal of Wotan: “perfectly portrayed by Kihun Yoon with his great vocal resources... The rollercoaster of emotions between love and disappointment is conveyed by the singer with absolute authenticity.”
Liparit Avetisyan
ALFREDO
From: Yerevan, Armenia.
TENOR
LA Opera: debut.
About: After his 2016 European debut as Fenton in Falstaff at the Cologne Opera, other international debuts followed in rapid succession. He began the current season as Nemorino in L’Elisir d’Amore at Covent Garden in London, followed by Rodolfo in La Bohème at Teatro Regio Torino and the Bulgarian National Opera, Des Grieux in Manon at Ópera de Tenerife, and Alfredo in La Traviata at Semperoper Dresden and the Dutch National Opera. He has appeared with such leading theaters as the Berlin State Opera, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Bolshoi Theater, Opera Australia and the opera companies in Zürich, Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Oslo, Strasbourg and Seattle. He performs Cassio for Sony Classical’s award-winning 2020 recording of Otello, with Jonas Kaufmann in the title role. (LiparitAvetisyan.com)
Julius Ahn
From: Seoul, South Korea. LA Opera: debut. He will return in May as Pong in Turandot. About: His engagements this season include Goro in Madama Butterfly with Detroit Opera and the four Valet Tenors in The Tales of Hoffmann with Palm Beach Opera. He has performed Goro, his signature role, with companies including San Francisco Opera, Canadian Opera Company, Vancouver Opera and at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Other recent appearances include the lead role in Byron Au Yong’s Stuck Elevator for Nashville Opera, Borsa in Rigoletto with Dallas Opera, Mime in Das Rheingold with Atlanta Opera, Bardolf in Sir John in Love with Bard Music Festival and his Metropolitan Opera debut in The Magic Flute. (JuliusAhn.com)
Sarah Saturnino
FLORA MEZZO-SOPRANO
From: Grass Valley, California. LA Opera: her roles include Lucretia in The Rape of Lucretia (2023) and Emilia in Otello (2023, mainstage debut). She will return next season as Maddalena in Rigoletto. She joined the DomingoColburn-Stein Young Artist Program last season. About: She was a 2023 grand finals winner of the Metropolitan Opera’s Laffont Competition. Recent performances elsewhere include the title role in Carmen with Opera Santa Barbara, Mistress Ford in Sir John in Love at the Bard Music Festival and Dorabella in Così fan tutte with the Tel Aviv Summer Opera Festival. In May, she will perform Fricka in excerpts from the Ring cycle with Lyric Opera of Kansas City. (SarahSaturnino.com)
Alan Williams
DR. GRENVIL BASS
From: San Bernardino, California. LA Opera: Abe in Omar (2022, debut); nine roles to date including Collatinus in The Rape of Lucretia (2023); Masetto in Don Giovanni (2023). He will return as the Mandarin in Turandot. He joined the Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program last season. About: Last year, he performed Neptune in Idomeneo with Aspen Opera Theater and King Arkel in Impressions de Pelléas with James Conlon at The Ebell of Los Angeles. He was a 2022 apprentice at Des Moines Metro Opera, where he performed Theseus in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. He will return there this summer as the First Soldier in Salome and as the Physician in Pelléas et Mélisande.
Patrick Blackwell
BARON DOUPHOL BASS-BARITONE
From: New York City, New York.
LA Opera: Lt. Ratcliffe in Billy Budd (2014, debut); 11 roles to date including Aye in Akhnaten (2016); Noah in Noah’s Flood (2017); Lord Krishna in Satyagraha (2018); Alcindoro in La Bohème (2019); Reinmar in Tannhäuser (2021); Suleiman in Omar (2022); Physician in Pelléas et Mélisande (2023). About: Later this spring, he will debut with the LA Philharmonic as Don Fernando in Fidelio, reprising that role on tour at Barcelona’s Gran Teatre del Liceu, the Philharmonie de Paris and London’s Barbican Centre. Recent appearances include his San Francisco Opera debut as Maecenas in Antony and Cleopatra by John Adams and Zuniga in Carmen with San Diego Opera.
Ryan Wolfe
MARQUIS D’OBIGNY BARITONE
From: Arlington Heights, Illinois.
LA Opera: Jailor in Tosca (2022, debut); Tarquinius in The Rape of Lucretia (2023); title role of Moses (2023); Herald in Otello (2023); Fiorello in The Barber of Seville (2023). He will return as Ping in Turandot. He joined the Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program last season. About: Recent appearances elsewhere include Le Dancaïre in Carmen with Des Moines Metro Opera and the premiere of Chris Thile’s Attention! (at the Hollywood Bowl) as well as the Steersman in Tristan und Isolde with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. This summer, he will be a Filene Young Artist at Wolf Trap Opera, performing the role of Lt. Gordon in Silent Night by Kevin Puts. (RyanWolfeBaritone.com)
Deepa Johnny
ANNINA
MEZZO-SOPRANO
From: Alberta, Canada. LA Opera: roles including Eliza in Omar (2022); Barbarina in The Marriage of Figaro (2023). She joined the Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program last season. About: Recent appearances include the title role in Carmen with Opéra de Rouen Normandie, Cherubino in The Marriage of Figaro with Portland Opera and Mélisande in Impressions de Pelléas at The Ebell of Los Angeles. Last year, she appeared at the Manchester International Festival, Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, Bregenz Festival and London’s Southbank Centre. This summer, she will perform Penelope in Il Ritorno d’Ulisse at the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence. (DeepaJohnny.com)
LA OPERA CHORUS
SOPRANO
Christina Borgioli*
Lisa Crave*
Ayana Haviv
Terri Hill*
Virenia Lind**
ALTO
Elizabeth Anderson
Natalie Beck***
Danielle Marcelle Bond
Aleta Braxton***
Sara Campbell*
TENOR
Daniel Coy Babcock
James Callon
Omar Crook*
Sung Bong Kim
Charles Lane***
BASS
Abdiel González*
Robert Hovencamp**
Mark Kelley**
David Kress*
E. Scott Levin
Lori Stinson*
Courtney Taylor
Chloe Vaught Sunjoo Yeo
Veronica Christenson**
Adriana Manfredi
Julia Metzler
Melissa Treinkman
Jennifer Wallace**
JJ Lopez
Francis Lucaric**
Sal Malaki***
Todd Strange*
Daniel Suk
Steven Pence*
James Martin Schaefer*
Tim Smith**
David Williams
* Has appeared in 50 or more productions
** Has appeared in 100 or more productions
*** Has appeared in 150 or more productions
DANCERS
Isabella Caso
Katherine Cowgill
Courtney Goffney, swing
Alec Lloyd, swing
Liv Mai
Maxwell Simoes
Nicholas Sipes
SUPERNUMERARIES
Jeff Cook
Michael John
Larry Kern
Slim Khezri
Theodore Martinez
Josh Olkowski
Alex Penn
ARTISTIC PERSONNEL
LA OPERA ORCHESTRA
FIRST VIOLIN
Roberto Cani
STUART CANIN
CONCERTMASTER
Armen Anassian
ASSOCIATE CONCERTMASTER
Lisa Sutton
ASSISTANT CONCERTMASTER
Margaret Wooten
Hana Kim
Olivia Tsui
Kathleen Sloan
Radu Pieptea
Heather Powell
Neel Hammond
Matt Oshida
Gallia Kastner
SECOND VIOLIN
Ana Landauer PRINCIPAL
Ina Veli
ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL
Florence Titmus
Leslie Katz
Michele Kikuchi
Cynthia Moussas
Loránd Lokuszta
Tina Qu
Irina Voloshina
Elizabeth Hedman
VIOLA
Erik Rynearson
PRINCIPAL
Shawn Mann
ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL
Karie Prescott
Dmitri Bovaird
Kate Vincent
Aaron Oltman
Diana Wade
Jonah Sirota
CELLO
Rowena Hammill PRINCIPAL
Michael Kaufman
ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL
Helen Altenbach
Nadine Hall
Charles Tyler
Sarah Kim
BASS
Nathan Farrington PRINCIPAL
Frances Liu Wu ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL
Tim Eckert
Sukyung Chun
Stephanie Payne
FLUTE
Heather Clark PRINCIPAL
Angela Wiegand
OBOE
Leslie Reed PRINCIPAL
Jennifer Cullinan
CLARINET
Stuart Clark PRINCIPAL
Laura Stoutenborough
BASSOON
William May PRINCIPAL
William Wood
HORN
Steven Becknell PRINCIPAL
Daniel Kelley
Jenny Kim ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL
James Atkinson
TRUMPET
Ryan Darke PRINCIPAL
David Washburn
ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL
generously underwritten by Terri and Jerry Kohl
TROMBONE
William Booth
PRINCIPAL
Alvin Veeh
Terry Cravens
TUBA
Doug Tornquist PRINCIPAL
HARP
JoAnn Turovsky PRINCIPAL
TIMPANI
Gregory Goodall
PRINCIPAL
PERCUSSION
Theresa Dimond
PRINCIPAL
John Wakefield
BANDA
Sarah Weisz, piccolo
Amy Tatum, flute
Stephen Piazza, clarinet
Sara Marsh, clarinet
Damian Montano, bassoon
Allen Fogle, horn
Melia Bedalian, horn
Brady Steel
ORCHESTRA PERSONNEL
MANAGER
Melisandra Dunker
MUSIC LIBRARIAN
Stuart Canin
Concertmaster Chair made possible by a deeply appreciated gift from Dunard Fund USA
PRODUCTION STAFF
ASSISTANT LIGHTING DESIGNER
Azra King-Abadi
SUPERTITLE PREPARATION / CUER
Linda Zoolalian
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGERS
Hannah Blaile
Arturo Fernandez, Jr.
Hannah Holthaus
COSTUME SHOP
Brent Bruin
Lindsey Ellison
Robbie Monsod
JoEllen Skinner
Enrique Urbina
CUTTER/DRAPERS
Alexandra Babec
Adle Smithson
Clara Weidman
Haley Williams
FIRST HANDS
Cesar Cisneros
Rosa Limon-Cervantes
Katherine Kincaid
Melissa Meza
Blanca Miranda
Carmen Muñoz
Elissa Perrin
Johanne Piantieri
Anna Wong SEAMSTERS
Wing Cheung MASTER TAILOR
Rafael Avila
Manuel Medina
Kelvin Small, Jr. TAILORS
Joseph Aragon
Dahlia Gonzalez
Alexa Marron CRAFTSPERSONS
Miranda Orellana
Haley Silver
PRODUCTION SUPERVISORS
Emily Frank
Rhiannon Smith
COSTUME ASSISTANTS
Jacqueline Colindres Paz Gwyneva Rosales
PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS
WARDROBE
Lee Smilek HEAD OF WARDROBE
Mary Basile
Charlyn Trenier
WARDROBE ASSISTANTS
Charlie Fleiss
Shelley Graves-Jimenez
Mary Lehman
Glen Moore
Tyrell Pickett
Danyele Thomas SEASONAL DRESSERS
WIGS AND MAKE-UP
Samantha Wiener WIGMASTER
Danielle Richter ASSOCIATE WIGMASTER
Brandi Strona DEPARTMENT COORDINATOR & CREW FOREMAN
Nicole Rodrigues
Morgan Sellers
SENIOR WIG & MAKE-UP ARTISTS
Nathalie Eidt
Kelso Millett WIG & MAKE-UP ARTISTS
Jacki Nocerino LEAD STYLIST
STAGE CREW
Scott Papez OPERA CARPENTER
Robert Colby Klein OPERA ELECTRICIAN
David Salas OPERA ASSISTANT CARPENTER
Alerton Perez ASSISTANT ELECTRICIAN
Scott Shepherd OPERA PROPERTY MASTER
Heather Orozco OPERA HEAD AUDIO
Kelly Richard Travis OPERA HEAD VIDEO
Brad Cobb OPERA AUDIO ENGINEER
DOROTHY CHANDLER PAVILION HOUSE STAFF
Timothy L. Conroy MASTER CARPENTER
Ryan Lebetsamer
HOUSE HEAD ELECTRICIAN
Dennis Holbrook MASTER OF PROPERTIES
Todd Reynolds HOUSE HEAD AUDIO
Robert Devis HOUSE MANAGER
Demetra Willis HEAD USHER
Carolyn Van Brunt VICE PRESIDENT OF GUEST SERVICES
VARI-LITE AUTOMATED LIGHTING PROVIDED
BY Vari-Lite Inc.
THE DOMINGO-COLBURN-STEIN YOUNG ARTIST PROGRAM
The Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program supports the future of opera by discovering and developing the talents of highly gifted young artists to become the stars of tomorrow. Since the company’s inception, LA Opera has been committed to nurturing a resident ensemble of young singers who would benefit from long-term professional development. The Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program, which builds on the success of the company’s earlier, highly respected Resident Artist Program, has the goal of developing the talents of exceptionally gifted young artists to become performers of potentially international stature, whose first loyalty would be to LA Opera.
The Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program is generously underwritten by the Colburn Foundation and Eugene and Marilyn Stein Additional generous underwriting support is provided by Terri and Jerry Kohl Special support for young artist stipends is graciously provided by The Lenore and Richard Wayne Young Artist Fellowship. Additional support provided by the Young Artist Circle. The program was created with funding from the Flora L. Thornton Foundation
2023/24 PARTICIPANTS
Manuel Arellano PIANIST/COACH
Deepa Johnny MEZZO-SOPRANO
Anthony León TENOR
Madeleine Lyon MEZZO-SOPRANO
Lucas Nogara PIANIST/COACH
Kathleen O'Mara SOPRANO
Sarah Saturnino MEZZO-SOPRANO
Alan Williams BASS
Ryan Wolfe BARITONE
Special thanks to the staff of the Music Center. Principal Singers, Narrators, Performers who have speaking parts, Stage Directors, Associate and Assistant Directors, Stage Managers, Assistant Stage Managers, Choreographers, Assistant Choreographers, Principal Dancers, Corps Dancers, and Chorus Singers appear under terms of an agreement between Los Angeles Opera and the American Guild of Musical Artists (AFL-CIO), the national guild of classical singers, dancers and production staff. Orchestra musicians are represented by the American Federation of Musicians, Local 47. The following employees are represented by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Machine Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States and Canada, AFL-CIO, CLC,: Stage Crew, Local 33; Treasurers and Ticket Sellers, Local 857; Wardrobe Crew and Costume Crew, Local 768 ; Makeup Artists and Hair Stylists, Local 706. Interns in the Technical Department are students at California Institute of the Arts (Valencia, California). All editorial materials copyright Los Angeles Opera, 2023. The opinions expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of Los Angeles Opera.
Christopher Koelsch
SEBASTIAN PAUL AND MARYBELLE MUSCO PRESIDENT AND CEO
James Conlon RICHARD SEAVER MUSIC DIRECTOR
John P. Nuckols EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF STRATEGIC OFFICER
Diane Rhodes Bergman, APR VICE PRESIDENT, MARKETING, COMMUNICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
Jill Boyd VICE PRESIDENT, LABOR RELATIONS AND HUMAN RESOURCES
Rupert Hemmings VICE PRESIDENT, ARTISTIC PLANNING
Andréa Fuentes, Ed.D. VICE PRESIDENT, CONNECTS
Kathleen Ruiz VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Lina González-Granados RESIDENT CONDUCTOR
Jeremy Frank CHORUS DIRECTOR
Russell Thomas ARTIST IN RESIDENCE
Renée Fleming ADVISOR, SPECIAL PROJECTS
Susan Graham ARTISTIC ADVISOR, YOUNG ARTIST PROGRAM
Patricia McLeod SENIOR DIRECTOR, DEVELOPMENT
Paul Hopper SENIOR DIRECTOR, ARTISTIC PLANNING
Eric Bornemann SENIOR DIRECTOR, MARKETING
Chul Park SENIOR DIRECTOR, TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
ARTISTIC
Blair Salter HEAD COACH, YOUNG ARTIST PROGRAM
Nicki Harper DIRECTOR OF ARTISTIC OPERATIONS
Maya Ordóñez MANAGER, ARTISTIC PROGRAMS AND REHEARSAL
BOX OFFICE
Shane K. Morton
BOX OFFICE TREASURER
Shawnet Sweets
FIRST ASSISTANT TREASURER
Dale Bridges Johannsen
Michael Meyer
Brenda Roman
Andrew Tomasulo
Susan Wong
SECOND ASSISTANT TREASURERS
Joseph Howells
Joseph Selway
THIRD ASSISTANT TREASURERS
Kiana Culpepper
Liz Mancia
Andy Phu
TICKET SELLERS
CONNECTS
Natalie Ramirez
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Adam LeBow
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING
Tate Shoebridge LEARNING AND ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR
Jake Ryan Lindsey ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION
Kirsten Anderson
COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATE
Victoria Mestas OPERATIONS ASSOCIATE
Ishika Muchhal
PROGRAM ASSOCIATE, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Janice Buenrostro
COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND SPECIAL PROJECTS COORDINATOR
Carmen Recker SPECIAL PROJECTS MANAGER
Eli Villanueva RESIDENT STAGE DIRECTOR
COSTUMES
Jeannique Prospere COSTUME DIRECTOR
Wade Mueller TEMPORARY COSTUME DEPARTMENT BUSINESS MANAGER
Corrine Roache PRODUCTION, STOCK & RENTAL COORDINATOR
Manuel Garcia WAREHOUSE MANAGER
John Musselman
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Neal Anderson MAINTENANCE ASSOCIATE
DEVELOPMENT
Joslyn Treece DIRECTOR, INSTITUTIONAL GIVING & GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
Janneke Straub DIRECTOR, LEADERSHIP GIFTS
Josh Harrold DIRECTOR, DEVELOPMENT OPERATIONS
Christian Johnsten ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, MAJOR AND PLANNED GIFTS
Kellynn Meeks
SENIOR BOARD AND EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATOR
Robin Green
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT AND OFFICE MANAGER
Grace Piper RESEARCH OFFICER
Zade Dardari
ANNUAL FUND SPECIALIST
Kylie Smith
ANNUAL FUND COORDINATOR
INDIVIDUAL GIVING
Benji Railton-Ashe DIRECTOR, MAJOR GIFTS
Weston Olson
SENIOR MAJOR GIFTS OFFICER
Evangeline Santos INDIVIDUAL GIVING OFFICER
Claudia Giugni INDIVIDUAL GIVING COORDINATOR
INSTITUTIONAL GIVING
Meredith Ernstberger INSTITUTIONAL GIVING OFFICER/ GRANT WRITER
Olivia Adair INSTITUTIONAL GIVING COORDINATOR
SPECIAL EVENTS
Jill Michnick DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EVENTS AND SPONSORSHIPS
Caitlin Harper EVENTS DESIGN SPECIALIST
FINANCE
Deborah Gould CONTROLLER
Sandra Vazquez DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL PLANNING
Daisy Lopez PAYROLL MANAGER
Brian Stefanko ACCOUNTS PAYABLE MANAGER
Jing Hu ACCOUNTING MANAGER
Rowena Matibag-Potter SENIOR FINANCIAL ANALYST
HUMAN RESOURCES
Esmeralda Marroquin SENIOR HUMAN RESOURCES ADMINISTRATOR
MUSIC ADMINISTRATION
Melisandra Dunker MUSIC LIBRARIAN
Brady Steel ORCHESTRA PERSONNEL MANAGER
Ignazio Terrasi
MUSICAL ASSISTANT TO JAMES CONLON
Caroline Boyce ASSISTANT LIBRARIAN
PRODUCTION
Michelle Magaldi
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR
Jasna Gara
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Whitney McAnally PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER
PUBLIC RELATIONS
Marlene Meraz DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
Mark Lyons ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS, PUBLICATIONS
Melanie Broussalian ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND VIDEO
Daniel Calderon
CONTENT MEDIA SPECIALIST
LA OPERA
SALES AND MARKETING
Elizabeth Galvan
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, LOYALTY MARKETING
Keith J. Rainville
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF MARKETING, BRAND & DESIGN
Pauline Hwa
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, ACQUISITION MARKETING
Terrance Lovecraft
INTERACTIVE & GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Yesenia Vargas
MARKETING STRATEGIC
COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST
Victoria Rey MARKETING ASSISTANT
TECHNICAL DEPARTMENT
Jeff Kleeman TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Carolina Angulo DESIGN MANAGER
Margie Schnibbe
TECHNICAL ADMINISTRATOR
James Pomichter
PRODUCTION MEDIA MANAGER
Lisa Coto
PROPERTIES COORDINATOR
Damon Schindler RESIDENT LEAD SCENIC ARTIST
Chris Carey TECHNICAL PAYROLL OFFICER
Stephanie Santiago TECHNICAL MANAGER
Violet Smith LIGHTING ASSISTANT
Mailie Varian LIGHTING ASSISTANT
Dani Monterroso
TECHNICAL ASSISTANT
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
Michael Masuda
NETWORK MANAGER
Tommy Mam TECHNOLOGY SERVICES MANAGER
Alex Badali
Jordan Tan
Brian Urrutia
APPLICATIONS ADMINISTRATORS
ACADEMY INTERNS
Scarleth Arias
Diego Castro
J.J. Flores
Elise Fukuda
Alan Munoz
Elisa Raya
Cristian Venegas
CONSULTANTS
Leonard Samuels (Zayde Creative)
KEY ART DESIGN
Stephen King
HEAD OF VOCAL INSTRUCTION
DOMINGO-COLBURN-STEIN YOUNG ARTIST PROGRAM
Studio Fuse
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Marlinda Menashe
DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT
25th Anniversary Angels
MARC STERN, CHAIR
LA Opera recognizes and thanks those who made extraordinary leadership commitments in honor of the 25th Anniversary Season, ensuring the company’s continued artistic excellence and prominence in the worldwide cultural community.
Sebastian Paul and Marybelle Musco The Seaver Family
The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation
Colburn Foundation
County of Los Angeles
Mr. Harold Alden and Dr. Geraldine Alden
Annenberg Foundation
Ambassador Frank and Kathy Baxter
The Blue Ribbon
Alex Bouzari
Robert Day
Dunard Fund USA
Malsi Doyle and Michael Forman
Gordon Getty
Carol and Warner Henry
Alfred and Claude Mann
Brindell Roberts Gottlieb
The Green Foundation
Bernard and Lenore Greenberg, in honor of Leonard Green
LGHG Foundation
Rosemary and Milton Okun
The Milan Panic Family
Ceil and Michael E. Pulitzer
20th Anniversary Angels
Marc and Eva Stern Foundation
Flora L. Thornton
Marilyn Ziering
Lloyd E. Rigler - Lawrence E. Deutsch Foundation
Ronus Foundation
Eugene and Marilyn Stein
Christopher V. Walker
Richard and Lenore Wayne
Ziering Family Foundation
Selim K. Zilkha and Mary Hayley / Selim K. Zilkha Foundation
MARC STERN, CHAIR
LA Opera wishes to honor those individuals who have made an extraordinary leadership commitment to the company. Building upon the remarkable foundation created by the Founding and Domingo’s Angels, the outstanding support of the 20th Anniversary Angels has helped ensure an artistically vibrant and financially secure future for LA Opera.
The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation
Colburn Foundation
County of Los Angeles
Mr. Harold Alden and Dr. Geraldine Alden
Annenberg Foundation
Ambassador Frank and Kathy Baxter
Yuki and Alex Bouzari
Nancy Daly
Edgar Foster Daniels
Kelly and Robert Day
Leslie and John Dorman
Malsi Doyle and Michael Forman
Carol and Warner Henry
Alfred and Claude Mann
Sebastian Paul and Marybelle Musco
Richard Seaver and Sara Jayne Kimm
Brindell Roberts Gottlieb
The Green Foundation
Bernard and Lenore Greenberg, in honor of Leonard Green
Lauren B. Leichtman and Arthur E. Levine Family Foundation
LGHG Foundation
Beatrix F. Padway, in honor of Nathaniel W. Finston
Mr. and Mrs. Milan Panic
Domingo’s Angels
Marc and Eva Stern Foundation
Flora L. Thornton
Marilyn Ziering
Ceil and Michael E. Pulitzer
Tarasenka Pankiv Fund (Tara Colburn)
Barbara Augusta Teichert
The Joop van den Ende Foundation
Christopher V. Walker
Richard and Lenore Wayne
Ziering Family Foundation
Selim K. Zilkha and Mary Hayley / Selim K. Zilkha Foundation
MARC STERN, CHAIR MARY HAYLEY, CO-CHAIR WARNER
HENRY, CO-CHAIR
Domingo’s Angels are individuals who made a leadership commitment to fulfilling the artistic initiatives of the Domingo Seasons, 2001-2005. Their remarkable generosity provided a new threshold from which the artistic professionals associated with LA Opera created and produced opera that thrilled and inspired Los Angeles audiences and the world.
Robert V. Adams and Barbara Abercrombie
Ambassador Frank and Kathy Baxter
Colburn Foundation
Kelly and Robert Day
Marta and Plácido Domingo
Leslie and John Dorman
The Green Foundation
Lenore and Bernard Greenberg
Carol and Warner Henry
Walter Lantz Foundation / Edward A. Landry, Trustee
Rosemary and Milton Okun
Mr. and Mrs. Milan Panic
Richard Seaver and Sara Jayne Kimm
Marc and Eva Stern Foundation
The Skirball Foundation
Flora L. Thornton Foundation
Selim K. Zilkha and Mary Hayley / Selim K. Zilkha Foundation
Founding Angels
WARNER HENRY, CHAIRLA Opera is grateful for the vision, boldness and extraordinary generosity of the Founding Angels, whose commitment to the company in its early years helped ensure the future of opera in Los Angeles.
Mr. and Mrs. Roy L. Ash
Dorothy Collins Brown
Mr. Richard D. Colburn
The Edgar Foster Daniels Foundation Forman Family Foundation
Gordon Getty
The Emese and Leonard Green Foundation
Carol and Warner Henry
Opera League of Los Angeles
Artistic Excellence Circle
Richard Seaver
The Skirball Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Leonard H. Straus
Flora L. Thornton Foundation
LA Opera recognizes the dedicated individuals whose annual support ensures that the finest singers, conductors, directors and designers bring the power and beauty of the art form to our stage. To learn more, call John Nuckols at 213.972.7256.
PREMIER DIAMOND PATRON ($500,000 & ABOVE)
Anonymous
The Ahmanson Foundation
GRoW @ Annenberg
Herbert Berk Estate
The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation
Colburn Foundation
Cosgrove Family Trust
Malsi Doyle and Michael Forman / Pacific Theatres Foundation
Dunard Fund USA
Penelope Foley
Valerie Franklin Estate
Gemini Industries, Inc.
Gordon Getty
Bernard A. and Lenore S. Greenberg Opera Fund
DIAMOND PATRON ($250,000 & ABOVE)
Anonymous
Mr. Harold Alden‡ and Dr. Geraldine Alden‡
Ana and Robert Cook
Leslie and John Dorman
Nancy Geller Trust
Peter and Diane Gray
Carol and Warner Henry
Terri and Jerry M. Kohl
Margo Leavin
Nanette and Keith Leonard
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
Supervisor Janice Hahn
Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath
Claude Mann and Alfred E. Mann Estate
Sebastian Paul and Marybelle Musco
The Tarasenka Pankiv Fund
(Tara Colburn)
Linda and Alvaro Pascotto
Andrea and Janie Pessino
Suzanne Rheinstein, in honor of Fred Rheinstein
The Green Foundation
Cornelia Haag-Molkenteller, M.D.
Latham & Watkins, LLP
Lauren B. Leichtman and Arthur E. Levine Family Foundation
Dan Murphy Foundation
Ceil and Michael E. Pulitzer
PREMIER PLATINUM PATRON ($150,000 & ABOVE)
Anonymous (3)
Patricia Artigas and Lucas Etchegaray
Stanley Black; in memory of Joyce Black
The Blue Ribbon
Max H. Gluck Foundation
The Norman and Sadie Lee Foundation
Patty and Ken McKenna
James Mulally
The Music Man Foundation
Michele and Dudley Rauch / The Rauch Family Foundation
Barry and Nancy Sanders
PLATINUM PATRON ($100,000 & ABOVE)
Anonymous (2)
Dr. Robert Adler and Alexis Deutsch-Adler
The Armenian Consortium
Karen Beecher Trust
Jules Brenner Trust
The Capital Group Companies
Charitable Foundation
Family of Ginger Conrad
Estate of Edgar Foster Daniels
Kathleen and Jerrold Eberhardt
Manuel Gutierrez, in memory of George Sponhaltz
Hispanics for Los Angeles Opera
Freya and Mark Ivener
Richard Kendall and Lisa See
Lawrence A. Kern
LGHG Foundation, in memory of Louise Garland
L.L. Foundation for Youth
The Opera League of Los Angeles
Ronus Foundation
Kenneth D. Sanson, Jr., Trust
Ariane and Lionel Sauvage
The Richard Seaver Trust for the Opera
Eugene and Marilyn Stein
Marc and Eva Stern Foundation
Ms. Barbara Augusta Teichert
Emanuel Treitel Trust
US Small Business Administration
Gregory and Régina Weingarten
Marilyn Ziering
Ann Ziff
Selim K. Zilkha and Mary Hayley / Selim K. Zilkha Foundation
Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP
The David and Linda Shaheen Foundation
Sheppard, Mullin, Richter and Hampton LLP
Wells Fargo
David Sanders Living Trust
Laura and Carlton Seaver
Elizabeth Segerstrom
Christopher V. Walker
In loving memory of our beloved parents, Ted and Hedy Orden
Dr. Heinrich and Barbara Schelbert
Susan R. Shapiro
Thurmond Smithgall and The Lanie & Ethel Foundation
South Coast Plaza
Alyce de Roulet Williamson
Ellen and Arnold Zetcher
Jane D. Zimmerman Trust
THE OPERA COUNCIL
Chaired by Paul and Catherine Tosetti
The dedicated support of the Opera Council enables LA Opera to achieve its artistic goals. This program offers exclusive privileges and behind-the-scenes opportunities to those individuals, foundations and corporations who make annual gifts of $25,000 or more. For information, please call 213.972.3160.
GRAND GOLD PATRON ($75,000 & ABOVE)
Anonymous (2)
Ahsan Aijaz
Mr. Haig S. Bagerdjian
Barbara Burtin
California Arts Council
Joan H. Hotchkis
Stephen A. Kanter Estate
Susan Lord and Scott Richard Lord
Paul and Sandra Montrone
OPERA America/Opera Fund
Linda Pierce
Caroline and Andrew Randall, in memory of Ann Ronus
Michelle Rohé
John and Gill Wagner
“You are all magicians. When I come to LA Opera, I enter a world of beauty. You always lift me to heights I’d never reach on my own.” —Lisa (donor)
GRAND GOLD PATRON ($50,000 & ABOVE)
Anonymous
Wallis Annenberg and the Annenberg Foundation
Mr. James Asperger and Ms. Christine Adams
Paul and Marie-France Bloch Fund at The Miami Foundation
Lynn A. Booth and Kent Kresa
The Otis Booth Foundation
Maynard and Linda Brittan
Brian P. Brooks
Janet and Nicholas Ciriello
Mark H. Dalzell and James Dao-Dalzell
De Marchena-Huyke Foundation
Elsa and Craig Donohue
GOLD PATRON ($25,000 & ABOVE)
Anonymous (5)
Gregory A. Adams
Maria Altmann; in memory of Fritz Altmann
Debbie and Mark Attanasio
Shirley Barasch Family Trust
Ambassador Frank and Kathy Baxter
Thomas and Judith Beckmen
Beverly Hills Porsche
Hans and Dianne Bozler
Carol Bramont and David Chesley
Drs. Maryam and Iman H. Brivanlou
Marlene Schall Chávez, Ph.D.
Edward E. and Alicia Garcia Clark
Ginger Conrad
Mrs. Alice S. Coulombe
John and Gina Despres
Mr. Alex Furlotti
Kiki and David Gindler
Goldman Sachs & Co.
Sally and Irwin Goldstein
Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development
Em Green
Michael and Jane Eisner
Geoff Emery
Annette Ermshar and Dan Monahan
Mr. Robert Finnerty and Mr. Richard Cullen
Catherine and Andrew Garroni
Betty L. Hall Trust
Ms. Janet Jones
Monique and Jonathan Kagan
Travis and Thomas Kranz
Renee and Meyer Luskin / Scope Industries
LLWW Foundation
Fredrik Malmberg and Joakim Zetterberg
The Rafael and Luisa de Marchena-Huyke Foundation
Michael and Lori Milken Family Foundation
Gary Gugelchuk
Nicolas Hamatake
Eloisa and Chris Haudenschild
In memory of Morris A. Hazan
Catherine and Mark Helm
HUB International Insurance Brokers
Mr. and Mrs. David K. Ingalls
Rian Johnson
Tim Johnson and Jean Cunningham
Mr. and Mrs. Richard B. Jones
James P. Kelley and Joseph W. Lund
William and Priscilla Kennedy
Landmann Family and the Rivelle Family
Drs. Anu and Ali Leemann
Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture
City of Los Angeles, Department of Cultural Affairs
Merrill Lynch
J.H.B. Kean and Toby E. Mayman
Carolyn L. Miller, in honor of Chaz’men Williams-Ali
Mr. and Mrs. Carlos Mollura, Sr.
Anthony and Olivia Neece
National Endowment for the Arts
Wendy and Ken Ruby
George and Terry Schreyer
Tina L. Segel
Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Seidel
Dr. Vina Spiehler
Alan and Janet Stanford
Jay and Deanie Stein
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph H. Stein
James and Ellen Strauss
Mrs. Laney G. Techentin
Warren and Mimi Techentin
Paul and Catherine Tosetti
Brigitta B. Troy
Estate of Monica Weil and Paul Schrade
Dr. Leslie A. Pam and Dr. Ann Christie
Petersen / Esper A. Petersen Foundation
The Louis and Harold Price Foundation
Mrs. Rita Coveney Pudenz
Courtney Reum
Koni and Geoff Rich
Lloyd E. Rigler – Lawrence E. Deutsch Foundation
Mimi Rotter
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Saunders
Edward A. and Ai O. Shay Family Foundation
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Carol and James Sterling
Dwight Stuart Youth Fund
Richard and Cynthia Troop
Donna Wagner
In memory of Richard and Lenore Wayne
Libby Wilson, M.D.
Andrew Xu and Timothy Iverson
Zev Yaroslavsky
Tamsen Z
Esther and Abe Zarem
PATRONS OF LA OPERA
Chaired by Kathleen and Jerrold Eberhardt
Patrons of LA Opera, who contribute gifts of $3,500 or more, enjoy exclusive ticket services, benefits and activities to enhance their opera experience. For more information, please call 213.972.7655.
GRAND SILVER BENEFACTOR ($20,000 & ABOVE)
Anonymous
Emily Arms and Steven Johnson
Bank of America Foundation
Allen Briskin and Gerry Hinkley
The Capital Group Companies, Inc.
Dr. and Mrs. Paul Eisenberg
Mr. and Mrs. David Elmore
Dr. Ronald Gabriel
Linda and Bobby Hanada
Lenny‡ and David Kelton
Judith S. Mishkin
Eduard Morf
PREMIER SILVER BENEFACTOR ($15,000 & ABOVE)
Anonymous
Kay Anderle
Susan and L. David Cole
The Sirpuhe and John Conte Foundation
Laura Donnelley and the Good Works Foundation
First American Title Insurance Co., National Commerical Services
Further Global Capital Management / Olivier Sarkozy
SILVER BENEFACTOR ($10,000 & ABOVE)
Anonymous (5)
Manny Abascal
John and Linda Kay Abdulian
Adams/Cohen Family
Adar Family Trust
Rachel and Bulent Altan
Patti and Harlan Amstutz
Margaret Campbell Arvey
Esther M. Baird and Stanley Fimberg
Jill C. Baldauf and Steven L. Grossman
Mrs. Any Yakoub-Barr and Mr. Michael Barr
Sandy Behrens
Mr. and Mrs. Sanford Beim
Dr. Sheldon D. Benjamin and Constance Chesnut
Beatrice and Paul Bennett, in honor of A. Coulombe
Leah S. and Gregory M. Bergman
Anne Boundy
Lisa Bratkovich
Warren Breslow and Gail Buchalter
Vladimir and Araxia Buckhantz Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Cannon
Canyon Partners, LLC
Victor Carabello, M.D.; in honor of my beloved parents Oscar and Elisa
Laurel K. Clark
Claytor Family Foundation
V. Shannon and Pamela Clyne
Corinna Cotsen and Lee N. Rosenbaum
Myron and Margie Crain
Elizabeth Hofert Dailey Fund
Dain Torpy/Tim Pecci
Drs. Nazareth and Ani Darakjian
Dr. and Mrs. Donald E. Dickerson
Tom Dolby
Mr. Michael Dreyer; in memory of Warner Henry
Betty and Brack Duker
Susan and John Ebey
Ms. Gail Eichenthal
Danielle Nelson Erem and Vivian Nelson
GRAND BENEFACTOR ($7,000 & ABOVE)
Anonymous (3)
Jerome M. Applebaum
Aversa Foundation
Linda Maddocks Brown
Nicholas Chrisos
Marie M. Cohen and Jared Diamond
Cecelia Cole
Ms. Sheila Coop
The Aaron Copland Fund for Music, Inc.
‡ in memoriam
In memory of Maggi Gordon
Monica Gutierrez-Roper and Trevor Roper
Diane Henderson
Suzanne Kayne
Keller Anderle LLP
Jennifer L. Keller
Michael and Stephanie Landes
Anita Lorber
Emily and Sam Mann
Stephen M. Erhart
Dr. Randall T. Espinoza
David and Marianna Fisher
Alan J. Freeman
Dr. Elizabeth Short and Dr. Michael Friedman
The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Gramling
Beverly and Felix Grossman
Alma Guzman and Susan Stamberger
Jessica Harper
J. Ira and Nicki Harris Foundation
Betty Hayman
Robert and Denise Hayman
Freddi and Dr. Kenneth D. Hill
Linda Joyce Hodge
Chase Hodge-Brokenburr
Dr. Ronald Hopkins
Stuart and Simone Isen
Stella Jeong and Randall Lee
Bruce Johansen
Ms. Ratna Jones
Phyllis H. Klein, M.D.
Elaine F. Kramer
Renee Kumetz
Edward and Marie Lewis
Leonard M. Lipman Charitable Fund
Mr. and Mrs. David B. Lippman
Sam Losh and Judith Lovely
Hon. Nora M. Manella
Judy and Steve McDonald
Diane Hickingbotham McNabb
Marlane Meyer
Mrs. Synne Hansen Miller
Ms. Judy Miner
Mintz
Carol Mitchell
Nancy-Gene Morrison
Harry and Cheryl Nadjarian
Barbara and Norman S. Namerow
Gregory Nava and Barbara Martinez Jitner
Michele M. Crahan
Patrick Dickey
Dr. and Mrs. William M. Duxler
W. Allan Edmiston, Jr., M.D.
Dr. Jon Fellows and Judith Hemenway
Nancy Fleischer and Libby Wilson, M.D., in honor of Ida and Max Fleischer
Mrs. Elaine Galanti
Larry and Marlis Gilman
The family of Dr. Armin and Barbara Sadoff
Warren and Katharine Schlinger Foundation
Terry and Dennis Stanfill
Karen and William Timberlake
Michael Weber and Frances Spivy-Weber
Linda May and Jack Suzar
Mr. and Mrs. David Mgrublian
The Kenneth T. and Eileen L. Norris Foundation
The Stephen Philibosian Foundation
The Recording Industries’ Music Performance Trust Fund
The SahanDaywi Foundation
Evy and Fred Scholder Family
Chris and Dick Newman / C and R Family Foundation
Michael Nohaile and Kristin Yarema
Carolyn R. Novin
Christine Marie Ofiesh
Orange County Opera
Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts
Thomas Patrick and Stephen Rulo
John S. Perkins
Gary and Arsine Phillips
Ali Razi and Shelley Reid
Rodrigo J. Rocha, M.D.; in memory of my beloved parents
Jutta Romero
Lars Roos and Dr. Estelita Calica Roos
Mrs. Barbara C. Rosenthal
Matthew and Jennifer Rowland
Sakana Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Alexander A. Sawchuk
Amy and Andy Schwartz
Dr. Sharron L. Seal and Mr. Lawrence Seal
Dr. Donald Seligman and Dr. Jon Zimmermann
Dr. Bertrand and Joan Shapiro
Eric L. Small
Mr. Burnie Sparks; in memory of Warner Henry
Bette I. Tatge
Michael and Suzanne Tennenbaum
Kyle Thorpe
Mr. and Mrs. Andy Torosyan
Elinor and Rubin Turner
Mr. and Mrs. Dale Ulman
Nancy Valentine
Drs. Francine Bartfield and Martin Wasserman
Mark A. Weaver
Aviva Weiner and Paulino Fontes
Sheila and Wally Weisman
Doris Weitz and Alexander Williams
Robert E. Willett
Wendy and Jay Wintrob
Susan Zolla; in memory of Edward M. Zolla
Claire and Robert Heron
Patricia Houston; in loving memory of Chet Houston
Nancy Katayama
Mr. and Mrs. Edward A. Landry
June and Simon K.C. Li
Mrs. Isabel Markovits-Rosenberg
James and Grace McAdams
Mr. and Mrs. Bengt Muthen
ART IN BLOOM
This spring, CAP UCLA welcomes today’s most searching, innovative and compelling artists.
VISIT
The UCLA Nimoy Theater (opened in September 2023) Royce Hall and The United Theater on Broadway.
EXPLORE
A genre-defying lineup of music, dance, theater and literary arts.
SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
> Urban Bush Women > Molly Joyce and Jerron Herman > Third Coast Percussion
> Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana > Ronnie Burkett > Alfredo Rodriguez > yMusic > Kronos Quartet > Meshell Ndegeocello > Luciana Souza > LADAMA
cap.ucla.edu/2023–24
AND MANY MORE!
Kronos Quartet by Nación ImagoPATRONS OF LA OPERA
GRAND BENEFACTOR ($7,000 & ABOVE)
Ernest and Anne Prokopovych
Cliff and Toni Reston
Elizabeth Loucks Samson
Robert and Linda Smith
Charles Souw, in loving memory of Bill Maldonado
Tracy Stone and Allen Anderson
PREMIER BENEFACTOR ($5,000 AND ABOVE)
Anonymous (7)
The Maurice Amado Foundation
The Amphion Foundation, Inc.
Anne Andrews and John Thornton
Ruth Bachofner
Ms. Sunny Baey
William Blair
Judith F. Blumenthal
Employees Community Fund of Boeing
Bonnie Brae
Gary and Johanna Brown
Mrs. Michele Brustin
Michael and Tania Cahill
Todd L. Calvin
Evelyn and Stephen Cederbaum
Diana and Marc Chazaud
Laura K. Christa
Rhoda Coleman, in loving memory of Howard Coleman
Christina and Bill Conkle
Ms. Joanne Dallas Davis/Dauray Family Fund
Jack and Barbara Dawson
Jennifer Diener
David A. Drummond
Linda L. Duttenhaver
Helen Funai Erickson
Mr. Robert Estrin, in memory of Mary Lloyd Estrin
Evelyn & Norman Feintech Family Foundation
Theodore Finney Hill
Mr. and Mrs. Don Erik Franzen
Elisabeth and Tony Freinberg
Ronald Frydman
Dr. and Mrs. Santo Galanti
Dr. Patricia Goldring
Charles and Marian Goldsmith
Patrick and Mary Goshtigian
Wendy and Luis Guerrero
Manuel R. Gutierrez
Marie O. Hedlund
Dr. Ann M. Hirsch and Dr. Stefan J. Kirchanski
BENEFACTOR ($3,500 AND ABOVE)
Anonymous (6)
In memory of Dr. Yoshio Akiyama
Honey Amado
Mr. Robert C. Anderson
Ron and Perky Apperson
Shirley Ashkenas; in memory of Irving Ashkenas
David Baltimore and Alice Huang
Howard Barmazel
Randall C. Bassett
Shelley and Rick Bayer
Christine Benchay
John R. Benfield and Mary Ann Shaw
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bennion
Dr. Dietmar P. Berger
Leigh Lindsey and Andrew Blaine
Mr. William J. Bracken and Ms. Mary Jo Markey
Langley B. Brandt
Barbara and Richard Braun
Dr. Martin J. Brickman
Patsy Burke
Drs. Carol and David Cass
CBRE National Partners West / Darla Longo, Barbara Perrier, Michael Longo
Mr. Joseph Cochran
Nancybell Coe and William Burke, in honor of James Conlon
‡ in memoriam
David L. and Susan H. Hirsch
In Sook Hong
Cameron Hotchkis
Dr. Judith Hyman
Ms. Marsha Hymanson
Mr. Daniel J. Jaffe and Ms. Cynthia S. Monaco
Elizabeth and Nicandro Juárez
Jee Sung and Hun Ku Kang
Mr. Howard B. Klein
Ellen and Harvey Knell
Mr. Joel and Mrs. Sharon Koppelman
KPMG LLP
Sherry Lansing and William Friedkin
C. Deborah Laughton; in memory of Charles (Terry) Hendrix
Larry Layne and Sheelagh Boyd
Christine and Jay Lee
Mr. Leonard Levine and Dr. Mateo Ledezma
Marilyn Lightner
The Lilly Family Foundation
Lilly Fong Liu
Mr. Mark Loewen
Mr. Paul Lombardi and Mr. Jeffrey B. Soref
Dr. Liana Lucaric Boghossian
Mr. Nigel Lythgoe
John and Jill Manly
Tracey Alden Martin
Edeltraud McCarthy
Jennifer and Mark McCormick
Mr. Richard J. Meyer
Bo Mills
Cindy Miscikowski
Mr. Shannon J. Morton
Dr. and Mrs. Steven Nagelberg
The E. Nakamichi Foundation
David Drew Neer, M.D., J.D.
Ms. Michelle Newberry
Frank and Andrea Newman
Mrs. Inna Ockelmann
Jenny Okun and Richard Sparks
Dr. Malcolm and Gabrielle Cosgrove
Joan and Donald Damask
Michael Dillon
Mr. and Mrs. R. Stephen Doan
Dan and Carol Donlan
Larry and Jan Duitsman
Mr. and Mrs. Karl J. Durow
Susan Edelstein
Craig Emanuel and Deborah Zipser
Margaret Epstein
John Farrell and Corey Spivey
Joyce and Mal Fienberg
Mrs. Frances R. Flanagan
John Fleming and Kris Maine
David F. Freedman, in memory of Joan Freedman
Dr. Jerry and Jean Friedman
Scott and Elizabeth Frost
Jerome J. Glaser / International Curtain Call
Dr. and Mrs. Steven M. Goldberg
Mr. Ronald Goldman
Nora Gordon and Brent Bryan
Christine Gregory
Peter and Elizabeth Goulds
Charles F. Hanes
Dr. and Mrs. Irwin Harris
Norma A. Harris & Frank Packard III
Dennis Wasser and Ruth Roberts
Mr. and Mrs. Peter O’Malley
Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Oppenheimer
Park Bixby Tower, Inc.
Partner Engineering and Science, Inc.
Mary E. Petit and Eleanor Torres
Frank and Betty Pinkerton
Penny and Harold B. Ray
Eileen and Charles Read
Ms. Margaret Rose, in memory of Ronald Dolkart
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen D. Rountree
Ms. Allison Sampson; in memory of Warner Henry
Brad Schlei and Jamie Price-Schlei
Robert Segal; in loving memory of Jeanne Segal
Richard and Ellyn Semler
Marilyn Shapiro
Natalie K. and Marvin S. Shapiro
Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Dr. and Mrs. Neil J. Sherman
Joyce and Al Sommer
Philip Starr and Michael Simental
John and Beverly Stauffer Foundation
Yvonne Stevens and Paul Schickler
Dr. Roger D. Stewart
Dr. Julie Stindt
Philip and Kristan Swan
Mr. Eliazar Talamantez
Lisa Tatge
Dr. I. Maribel Taussig
Ms. Joanne L. Dallas and Mr. Frank A. Traficante
Ms. Barbara A. Van Postman
Larry Verdugo
Cynthia Walk
Barbara and Ken Warner
David and Michele Wilson
Mrs. Joan A. Winchell; in memory of Verne Winchell
Clemence Yi
Martin and Rosalind Zane
Jeff and Yolanda Heller
Marcia and Dr. Paul Herman
Larry and Lilia Hershenson
Mrs. Phoebe Ann Heywood
Gary Ho and Aihua Gan
Richard Holland Trust
Barbara Holman
Mrs. Maria Antonia Horne‡
Adel F. Jabour, M.D.
Dr. Thomas D. Johnson, Ph.D., and Stacy B. Young
Gary and Denise Kading
Gloria Kaplan
Drs. Nedeen and Alan Kaufman
Gayle Kirschbaum and Scott D. Baskin
Christopher Koelsch and Todd Bentjen
Ronald and Joann Kramar
Diane S. Lake
Peter and Electra Lang
Dr. Paul E. LeMal
Irwin and Rachel Levin
Dr. Cheryl D. Lew, M.D.
Clark and Karen Linstone
Dr. Leonard Lipman
Robert and Susan Long
Gerrie Maloof
Michael and Claudia Margolis
VERDI REQUIEM
GRANT GERSHON, conductor ANA MARÍA MARTÍNEZ, soprano
MELODY MOORE, mezzo-soprano
SATURDAY, JUNE 8 AT 2PM | SUNDAY, JUNE 9 AT 7PM
SEAN PANIKKAR, tenor
PEIXIN CHEN, bass
100 singers, orchestra
GIUSEPPE VERDI Requiem
Thunderous rhythms, sublime melodies, and rhapsodic solo passages express both the heights of salvation and depths of damnation in this epic and panoramic masterpiece. A performance of Verdi’s Requiem by the Grammy® Award-winning LA Master Chorale is not to be missed.
TICKETS
Courtney Taylor SOPRANOPATRONS OF LA OPERA
BENEFACTOR ($3,500 AND ABOVE)
Daniel Marshak
Ms. Faydell P. Martin
Robert Mendow
Bryan Mershon
Adam Mielke and Angel Blue Mielke
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen D. Miller
Olga Moretti
Jane Gray Morrison
Diane Williams Murphy
Gary W. Murphy
Mr. Emory Ron Myrick
Ms. Laurice Myron
Robert and Sally Neely
Barbara and Lawrence Nevens
Mary Ruth and Jeff Newman
Jerry and Elaine Offstein
Dr. Edward O’Neill
Dr. Sophia Y. Pak, M.D.
Dr. and Mrs. Nissan Pardo
Ms. Karen A. Pederson
The Muriel Pollia Foundation
Ruth Popkin
ARTISTS CIRCLE ($2,000 AND ABOVE)
Anonymous (2)
Act 1 Tours
Ms. Mary Anderson
Patrick Anderson and Ron Koren
Stephanie Barron and Max Rifkind-Barron
Heather and Stephen Bedikian
Mr. William Stewart Buettner
James and Debbie Burrows
Ms. Marion A. Cameron
Ms. Julia Cherry
Dr. Timothy Ching
Antonio and Hanna Damasio
Fred Dear
Donald and Jackie Feinstein
Dr. Michele A. Felix
Irwin Field and Helgard Lion
Dr. and Mrs. Santo Galanti
Mr. Manolo F Galindo
Constance Towers Gavin
Grace on Earth Foundation
Lee Hendrix
Ms. Florence A. Hoffman
Ms. Nancy Irwin
William Isacoff
Mr. and Mrs. Roger H. Porter, Jr.
Peggy and Peter Preuss
Kai-Li and Hal Quigley
Madeline and Bruce Ramer
Sonia Randazzo and Family
Mr. and Mrs. Robert R. Reid
Fen Rhodes and Nancy Corby
Ken and Erika Riley
Craig and Janis Risch
JoAnna Rodriguez
Charleen Rohde
Diana Romero
Rikki Rosen
Paula and Allan Rudnick
Lynn and Michael Russell
Mr. and Mrs. Neal Schmale
John Schunhoff and Ken Titley
Albert Sepe
Ruth Simon
Mr. and Mrs. John B. (Jack) Simon
Dr. Joan E. Smiles
Judith L. Smith
Brenda Izzi
Alan and Amy Karbelnig
Jill Kent
Marylyn and Chuck Klaus
Rosalie Kornblau
Mr. Bruce Lassen
Mr. Robert M. Lea
Ms. Janet Levin and Mr. Frank Gruber
Mary H. Lewis
Randall and Janell Lewis
Mr. Michael Lindsay
Ms. Blanca Lucero and Mr. Charles Romero
Patrick Lyden and Laurie Schechter
Joseph H. MacDonald
Kathleen Martin
Barbara Merkle
Ms. Margaret Austin Moir
Dr. and Mrs. G. Arnold Mulder
Lorenzo Murguia, M.D.
Ms. Lois A. Murphy
Ms. Heidi Novaes
Beatrice H. Nemlaha
Liza and Thomas Newbauer
Doerthe Obert
BELLA VOCE PATRONS (IRREVOCABLE ESTATE GIFTS)
Debra Vilinsky and Michael Sopher
Steven and Eleanor Sorenson
Shirley Earlise Starke-Wallace
Sidney Stern Memorial Trust
Ms. Donna Lynn Stillo
Dr. and Mrs. Edward C. Stone
Francine Swain and Robert Murdock
Mr. Andrew Tavakoli
Dr. and Mrs. Jose Torreblanca
Eve C. Van Rennes
Ms. Carol Vernon and Mr. Robert Turbin
James and Robin Walther
Martin Washton
Dr. Robert W. Weinman
Tina H. Wilson
Jan and Steve Winston
Dr. William Wishner
Dr. Judith G. Wolf
Sharon and Fillmore Wood
David A. Workman
Mr. Rudolf Ziesenhenne
Mr. Phil Ockelmann
Kenneth and Terry O’Dell
Ron and Pat Oguss
William and Carol Ouchi
Michael and Beverly Phillips
Ms. Sarah Phillips
Mr. Christopher A. Reed
Dr. Madison F. Richardson
Mr. Herbert Schraibman
John Serpe and Tracy Maddox
Laurie Samitaur Smith
Mr. Don Simkin
Mr. Lynn Foster Sipe
Ms. Katherine Sung
Michael Frazier Thompson
The Tourist Office of Spain
Mary Ann Twitty
Max and Diane Weissberg
Ian and Barbara White-Thomson
Marty, Sara and Samantha Widzer
Eddie and Mary Williams
Brian Wong
LA Opera is grateful for the generosity and foresight of opera lovers who have established future gifts to the company in their estate plans.
Natsuko Akiyama, in memory of Yoshio Akiyama
Dr. & Mrs. Julio Aljure
Gracia Alkema & C. Terry Hendrix
Karen Alpert Trust
Mr. Marvin Antonowsky
Mr. and Mrs. Roy Ash
Shirley Ashkenas
Shirley Lee Barasch
Ms. Angela Bardowell
Estate of Margaret and David N. Barry III
Ambassador Frank & Kathy Baxter
Karen M. Beecher
Anne Boundy
The Samuel M. Brainin Trust
Carol & Normand Brewer
Jacqueline Briskin
Maynard & Linda Brittan
The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation
Christine Brodie
Richard & Norma Camp
T. Robert Chapman Trust
David Chierichetti
Edward E. & Alicia Garcia Clark
Richard D. & Lisa K. Colburn
The Tarasenka Pankiv Fund (Tara Colburn)
Nancy Cook
Cosgrove Family Trust
Michele McGarry Crahan
Estate of Nancy Daly
Janet & Roger DeBard
Teresa DeCrescenzo
Estate of Phyllis & Donal Dreifus
The George A.V. Dunning Fund/ California Community Foundation
Allan & Diane Eisenman
Gerald Faris
Adell Fink
Theodore Hill Finney
Claudia & Mark Foster
Herbert O. and Jean Fox
Kara Kass Fox
Estate of Valerie Franklin
Allen B. Freitag Trust
Ronald Frydman
Gerri Lee Frye
Roger Gallizzi and James Willey
Nancy Gentry Geller Trust
Gwynne M. Gloege
Estate of Barbara Goldenberg
Eric A. Gordon
Leonard Green
Bernard and Lenore Greenberg
Susan R. Greer
Joyce and Joelle Grinker
Estate of Walter O. Halden
Betty Hall Trust
Roy Hamilton
2023/2024 SEASON
Firebird & Serenade
May/June 2024
Firebird
Possokhov | Stravinsky
Serenade
Balanchine | Tchaikovsky
Pasadena Civic Auditorium
May 11 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm
Redondo Beach
Performing Arts Center
May 25 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm
Royce Hall at UCLA
June 1 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm
BELLA VOCE PATRONS ( IRREVOCABLE ESTATE GIFTS )
The Jerome G. Handelsman Trust
Hildegard Harris
Lee & David Hayutin
Anne Heineman
Estate of Harvey B. Heller
Warner & Carol Henry
Yvonne & Gordon Hessler
Joan & John Hotchkis
Drs. Herbert and Judith Hyman
Mr. & Mrs. David K. Ingalls
Robert Jesberg and Michael J. Carmody
Estate of H. Kirkland Jones
Sylvia & Vernon D. Jones
Estate of Stephen A. Kanter
Lawrence A. Kern
Joyce and Kent Kresa
Helen LammIvan and Hilda Layda / Layda Family Trust
Margo Leavin
The Norman & Sadie Lee Foundation
Lauren B. Leichtman & Arthur E. Levine
Dr. Paul E. LeMal
Raymond A. Lieberman Trust
Robert & Marguerite Marsh
In memory of Terry Roberta Matthies
Linda May Suzar
Dr. Michael McGuire
Paula Kent Meehan
Mr. & Mrs. Paul A. Miller
The Jane Moore Family Trust
Diane and Leon Morton
Sebastian Paul and Marybelle Musco
Anthony & Olivia Neece
Joan Harding Newman
Mei-Lee Ney
Estate of Beatrix F. Padway
Mr. Milan Panic
Chloe Pollock-Mieczkowski
Cat Jagger Pollon
Mrs. Jean Powell
Nan Rae
Suzanne Rheinstein
Christine P. Ries
Kenneth D. Sanson, Jr., Trust
The L. Franc Scheuer Trust
The Malcolm Schneer LAOC Trust
BELLA VOCE PATRONS (FUTURE GIFTS)
Anonymous (9)
Doris Alexander
Helen Mae Almas
John Altschul
Patti Amstutz
Robert C. Anderson
Sharon Baranoff
James C. Bassett, Ph.D.
Randall C. Bassett
Nancy Griffith Baxter
James M. Bell
Herbert M. Berk
Lorna D. Blancaflor
Dr. Judith F. Blumenthal
Rebecca Bowne
Hans and Dianne Bozler
Ms. Dale Bridges Johannsen
Mrs. Michele Brustin
Sharon A. Bryan
Elizabeth B. & Elwood S. Buffa
Jacqueline & Henry Cahn
Todd Calvin
Dr. Alisa Cone Camberlan
Leigh Robinson Cartwright
Drs. Carol & David Cass
Julia Cherry
Cecelia R. Cole
Bernice Colman
Ginger Conrad
Hilary Crahan
Keith Crasnick Family Trust
Drs. Nazareth & Ani Darakjian
Lawrence E. Deutsch
Amy Lyn DeZwart and George Betar
Leslie & John Dorman
Mary Kathryn Dunn
Gerald Elijah/Octaveous Starr
Maureen Engelhard
Daniel Fink, M.D.
Richard Cullen and Robert Finnerty
David F. Freedman
Dr. Michael A. Friedman and Dr. Elizabeth M. Short
Mr. & Mrs. John Garvey
James Gelb and Diane Morton
Dr. Melinda Gilmore
Jerome J. Glaser
Joyce & Eric Goldman
Rebecca Gomez
Marielle Gottlieb
Ms. Nancy A. Grant
Donna & Greg Griffith
Alma Guzman and Susan Stamberger
Susan D. Heard
Laura C. Hecht
Ms. Nita Heimbaugh
Bonnie Helms
Dr. Jon Fellows and Judith Hemenway
Malcolm T. Henderson
Marcia and Dr. Paul Herman
Freddi and Dr. Kenneth D. Hill
Mike Hiscocks, in memory of Carol Roberts
Judge Judith O. & Dr. Glen L. Hollinger
Dr. Ronald Hopkins
Sharon & Donald Jackley
Norman W. & Rose M. Jaffe
Bruce Johansen
Dr. Barbara Johnston
Ms. Mary Teresa Johnston
Dr. & Mrs. William Kern
Dr. Stephen Knafel
Linda L. R. Knight
Richard P. & Meredith B. Kramer
Victoria and Douglas Lane
Larry Layne
Robert M. Lea
Elaine Otter Leventhal
Mr. and Mrs. Lou D. Liuzzi
Gloria Lothrop
Mr. Jeff MacKey
Gerrie Maloof
Hon. Nora M. Manella
Wolfgang E. Marum Trust
Sam I. Matsumoto/Gordon J. Geever Trust
Melissa Machin Mazur
Edward McCann
McCone Grand Opera Fund
Steven D. McGinty
Cynthia McWhirt
The Minturn Family Charitable Foundation
Michael and Lorraine Mohill
Nancy-Gene Morrison
Barbara and Maury Mortensen
The Richard Seaver Trust for the Opera
Archie Sharp
Milton Singer
Mr. & Mrs. William Smollen
Ellen & Harry Sondheim, in memory of Betty & Felix Leibholz
Estate of Mr. Arthur Spitzer
Marilyn & Eugene Stein/ Capital Group Companies
Marc & Eva Stern
Estate of Gaby K. Tanas
Flora L. Thornton & Eric L. Small
Estate of C. Dickson Titus III
Emanuel Treitel Trust
Ms. Carol Vernon and Mr. Robert Turbin
Magda & Frederick R. Waingrow
Richard and Lenore Wayne
Mark A. Weaver
Estate of Monica Weil and Paul Schrade
Douglas B. Wood
Sharon and Fillmore Wood
Irene Zimmerman
Mary Jane Myers
Gordon & Rosie Ornelas Olson
Dr. Sophia Pak
Lenore and Carl Pearlston
Janet Petersen
Mr. & Mrs. Nathan Prusan
Dr. and Mrs. Robert H. Pudenz
Jeanne E. Roerig
Mr. & Mrs. Patrick T. Rogers
Mimi Rotter
Lawrence Rubenstein, Ph.D.
Frank D. Rubin
Dr. Jeanne W. Ruderman
Maged Salib
Elizabeth Loucks Samson
Melody & Warren Schubert
Mr. & Mrs. Christof E. Schwab
Dr. Donald Seligman and Dr. Jon Zimmermann
Richard and Ellyn Semler
Olga Sevilla
John Jacob Shaak
Marilyn Shapiro
Lynn Foster Sipe
Audre Slater
Terry & Dennis Stanfill
R. Rhoads Stephenson
Donna Stillo
James and Ellen Strauss
Ms. Amanda F. Susskind
Elisabeth Tamari
Iris & Robert Teragawa
Dr. Elaine Totten and Mr. Barclay Totten
Mrs. Ella Upsher
Dr. Michael Upsher
Rose Vardanian
Larry Verdugo
Barbara and Ken Warner
Michael Weber & Frances Spivy-Weber
Aviva Weiner
Janice and Mitchell Wellsteed, in memory of Robert Tomson
Linda & Robert E. Willett
Wesley and Rachel Williamson
Mr. & Mrs. Lorin H. Wilson
Tana Wong
WANT TO GO BEHIND THE SCENES?
MEET PEOPLE WHO SHARE YOUR LOVE OF OPERA?
YOU’RE HERE.
Congrats, You’ve Picked a Great Performance!
Check out the interactive version of this theater program magazine and enjoy even more insight into the performers, creative talent and theater activities that are behind it all.
LINKS TO PERFORMERS’ SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS
MULTI - MEDIA PRESENTATIONS ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE.
UNDERSTUDY UPDATES
THEATER SUPPORT OPPORTUNITIES
UPCOMING SHOWS AND CONCERTS AROUND TOWN
INSIDER SCOOPS FROM THEATER AND MUSIC PROFESSIONALS
It’s the new way to read the program, it’s
2014
2019
MATCHING GIFTS
LA Opera is pleased to acknowledge the companies that support our company with matching gift programs. Under a corporate matching gift program, cash gifts from eligible employees are matched with company or corporate foundation funds. This additional contribution increases a participating employee’s membership level, enhancing their benefits and privileges of membership. Please call 213.972.7277 for more information.
AmazonSmile
Amgen Foundation
Bank of America Charitable Foundation
Benevity
The Boeing Company
The Capital Group Companies
Charitable Foundation
Chevron Corporation
CNA Foundation
Colony NorthStar Employees Community Fund of Boeing
Goldman Sachs & Co.
The J. Paul Getty Trust
Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies
Merrill Lynch & Co. Foundation, Inc.
Morgan Stanley
Netflix
PPG Foundation
Sempra
Sony Pictures Entertainment
Thrivent
Laraine Ann Madden Accompanist Excerpts
Anne
The Walt Disney Company SUPPORTERS Sun.,
Colin
Welcome to The Music Center!
Thank you for joining us.
The Music Center is your place to experience all the arts have to offer, where you can express yourself, connect with others and enjoy incredible live performances and events in our four beautiful theatres, at Jerry Moss Plaza and in Gloria Molina Grand Park.
We promise to provide you the best, safest experience possible on our campus.
Be sure to visit musiccenter.org to learn about upcoming events and performances.
Enjoy the show!
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General Information (213) 972-7211 | musiccenter.org
Support The Music Center (213) 972-3333 | musiccenter.org/support
TAKE A TOUR OF THE MUSIC CENTER
Free 90-minute docent-led tours take you through the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Ahmanson Theatre, Mark Taper Forum and Walt Disney Concert Hall, along with Jerry Moss Plaza. You’ll learn about the history and architecture of the theatres along with The Music Center’s beautiful outdoor spaces. Tours are offered daily. Check the schedule to plan a fun-filled day in Downtown L.A.! Visit musiccenter.org for additional information.
2023/2024 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OFFICERS
Cindy Miscikowski Chair
Robert J. Abernethy Vice Chair
Darrell R. Brown Vice Chair
Rachel S. Moore
President & CEO
Diane G. Medina
Secretary
Susan M. Wegleitner
Treasurer
William Taylor Assistant Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
MEMBERS
AT LARGE
Charles F. Adams
William H. Ahmanson
Jill C. Baldauf
Susan E. Baumgarten
Phoebe Beasley
Thomas L. Beckmen
Kristin Burr
Dannielle Campos
Elizabeth Khuri Chandler
Amy R. Forbes
Greg T. Geyer
Joan E. Herman
Jeffrey M. Hill
Mary Ann Hunt-Jacobsen
Carl Jordan
Richard B. Kendall
Terri M. Kohl
Lily Lee
Cary J. Lefton
Keith R. Leonard, Jr.
David B. Lippman
Susan M. Matt
Elizabeth Michelson
Darrell D. Miller
Teresita Notkin
Michael J. Pagano
Cynthia M. Patton
Karen Kay Platt
Joseph J. Rice
Melissa Romain
Beverly P. Ryder
Maria S. Salinas
Corinne Jessie
Sanchez
Mimi Song
Johnese Spisso
Michael Stockton
Philip A. Swan
Timothy S. Wahl
Jennifer M. Walske
Jay S. Wintrob
GENERAL COUNSEL
Rollin A. Ransom
DIRECTORS
EMERITI
Wallis Annenberg
Peter K. Barker
Judith Beckmen
Ronald W. Burkle
John B. Emerson **
Richard M. Ferry
Brindell Gottlieb
Bernard A. Greenberg
Stephen F. Hinchliffe, Jr.
Glen A. Holden
Kent Kresa
Edward J. McAniff
Mattie McFaddenLawson
Fredric M. Roberts
Richard K. Roeder
Claire L. Rothman
Joni J. Smith
Lisa Specht **
Cynthia A. Telles
James A. Thomas
Andrea L. Van de Kamp **
Thomas R. Weinberger
Alyce de Roulet
Williamson
** Chair Emeritus
Current as of 2/22/24
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s Yannick Lebrun. Photo by Dario Calmese.BOARD OF SUPERVISORS COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
Support from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors plays an invaluable role in the successful operation of The Music Center.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
As a steward of The Music Center of Los Angeles County, we recognize that we occupy land originally and still inhabited and cared for by the Tongva, Tataviam, Serrano, Kizh and Chumash Peoples. We honor and pay respect to their elders and descendants — past, present and emerging — as they continue their stewardship of these lands and waters. We acknowledge that settler colonization resulted in land seizure, disease, subjugation, slavery, relocation, broken promises, genocide and multigenerational trauma. This acknowledgment demonstrates our responsibility and commitment to truth, healing and reconciliation and to elevating the stories, culture and community of the original inhabitants of Los Angeles County.
Janice Hahn Supervisor, Fourth District
Hilda L. Solis Supervisor, First District
Lindsey P. Horvath Chair, Third District
Kathryn Barger Chair Pro Tem, Fifth District
Holly J. Mitchell Supervisor, Second District
We are grateful to have the opportunity to live and work on these ancestral lands. We are dedicated to growing and sustaining relationships with Native peoples and local tribal governments, including (in no particular order) the:
• Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians
• Gabrielino Tongva Indians of California Tribal Council
• Gabrieleno/Tongva San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians
• Gabrieleño Band of Mission Indians-Kizh Nation
• San Manuel Band of Mission Indians
• San Fernando Band of Mission Indians
To learn more about the First Peoples of Los Angeles County, please visit the Los Angeles City/County Native American Indian Commission website at lanaic.lacounty.go
(From left to right)Live at The Music Center
TUE 2 APR / 8:00 P.M.
Funny Girl CENTER THEATRE GROUP
@ Ahmanson Theatre Thru 4/28/24
TUE 2 APR / 8:00 p.m.
Debussy, Ewald & Françaix: Chamber Music
LA PHIL
@ Walt Disney Concert Hall
TUE 2 APR / NOON - 11:00 p.m.
Music off the Wall
THE MUSIC CENTER
@ Jerry Moss Plaza & Plaza Gallery Thru 5/4/24 (Tuesday - Sunday)
WED 3 APR / 8:00 p.m.
Yo-Yo Ma & Kathryn Stott Colburn Celebrity Recital
LA PHIL
@ Walt Disney Concert Hall
THU 4 MAR / 8:00 p.m.
Elgar and Vaughan Williams
LA PHIL
@ Walt Disney Concert Hall Thru 4/7/24
SAT 6 APR / 8:00 p.m.
La Traviata
LA OPERA
@ Dorothy Chandler Pavilion Thru 4/27/24
SAT 6 APR / 2:00 p.m.
I Believe: The Music of Bach, Bonds & Robles
LOS ANGELES MASTER
CHORALE
@ Walt Disney Concert Hall 4/7/24 at 7:00 p.m.
TUE 9 APR / 8:00 p.m.
UNSTILL LIFE
Colburn Celebrity Recital
LA PHIL
APR 2024
@ Walt Disney Concert Hall
FRI 12 APR / 8:00 p.m.
Saint-Saëns' Organ Symphony
LA PHIL
@ Walt Disney Concert Hall Thru 4/14/24
SAT 13 APR / 8:00 p.m.
Feinstein's at the Taper CENTER THEATRE GROUP
@ Mark Taper Forum
TUE 16 APR / 8:00 P.M.
John Adams Conducts the LA Phil New Music Group
LA PHIL
@ Walt Disney Concert Hall
THU 18 APR / 8:00 p.m.
The Labèques, Muhly, and Dessner
LA PHIL
@ Walt Disney Concert Hall Thru 4/21/24
SAT 20 APR / 7:30 p.m.
Patti LuPone in Concert
LA OPERA
@ Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
SAT 20 APR / 8:00 p.m.
Herbie Hancock
LA PHIL
@ Walt Disney Concert Hall
SUN 21 APR / 7:30 p.m.
Anna Lapwood
Organ Recital
LA PHIL
@ Walt Disney Concert Hall
WED 24 APR / 8:00 p.m.
Yefim Bronfman
Colburn Celebrity Recital
LA PHIL
@ Walt Disney Concert Hall
FRI 26 APR / 8:00 p.m.
Bartók and Mozart
LA PHIL
@ Walt Disney Concert Hall Thru 4/28/24
SAT 27 APR / 11:00 a.m.
Very Special Arts Festival Family Day
THE MUSIC CENTER
@ Jerry Moss Plaza
SUN 28 APR / 7:30 P.M.
CTG: The Gala 2024
CENTER THEATRE GROUP @ Mark Taper Forum
TUE 30 APR / 8:00 p.m.
Pan-American New Music - Green Umbrella
LA PHIL
@ Walt Disney Concert Hall
@musiccenterla