Sunday, April 19, 2009

Downtown Los Angeles from the Music Center

On a recommendation from two friends, last Thursday I attended the LA Opera's performance of Wagner's Die Walkure, at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion (partially shown on the right). Everything about it was exceptional, even for an uneducated Wagnerian like myself (luckily, the 'supertitles' make the plot understandable). The production, designed by Achim Freyer with costumes by Amanda Freyer, was other worldly and a modernistic spectacular. And I heard the incomparable Placido Domingo (as Siegmund) in person, for the first time.
The absolutely amazing main cast (1st row, left to right): Eric Halfvarson (Hunding), Anja Kampe (Sieglinde), Vitalij Kowaljow (Wotan), James Conlon (conductor - as one audiance member said, "They are so lucky to have him!"), Linda Watson (Brunnhilde), Placido Domingo (Siegmund), and Michelle DeYoung (Fricka). An interesting review of this new production (with a photo of a Ride of the Valkyries scene) can be found on LA Times Blogs - Culture Monster - LA Opera - Valkyries. (More photos from LA Times are here: Walkure-photogallery).

14 comments:

Cezar and Léia said...

What a wonderful moment!
Glad to know you had this perfect time!
Amazing!
Léia :-)

VP said...

As an opera lover, I officially envy you.

Virginia said...

What a wonderful evening for you. The photos are great. Thanks for sneaking us in!
V

Clueless in Boston said...

I second what Vogon Poet said. Lucky you! I've always been a little more partial to Domingo than all the other tenors.

SandyCarlson said...

Your review entices me to learn more. Thanks!

Marie-Noyale said...

It must have been exceptional!
What a treat,I am an Opera fan and I envy you!

Cafe Observer said...

Oh, you were in town nT!

david mcmahon said...

Thanks so much for your visit and kind comment. I hope Placido Domingo returned the compliment and paid big bucks to hear YOU sing!

Pat said...

Agree with Virgina...thanks for sneaking us in...!

Linda said...

That's a stellar cast. I've never seen Wagner performed - I'm sure it makes all the difference to appreciating the operas.

Anonymous said...

Great shots

Anonymous said...

If I had excess money (all my funds are placed in "rainy day" savings. I'd love to see a contemporary opera if just for the sets.

PJ said...

You have a wonderfully varied life, Tash. The photo is stunning. Was this undercover work?

Abby Lanes said...

These nighttime shots are absolutely fabulous!
~Abby