Plácido Domingo Announces LA Opera to Kick Off
20th Anniversary Season With Gala Weekend, September 9, 10 &11
Opening Gala Performances of Garry Marshall’s production
of The Grand Duchess and Franco Zeffirelli’s production
of Pagliacci
Will be Celebrated with Exclusive Dinner Party, Black-Tie Gala
and More
20th Anniversary Celebration Weekend Chaired by Mary Hayley and
Underwritten by The Eli and Edythe L. Broad Foundation
20th Anniversary Celebration Chaired by Carol Henry
(LOS ANGELES, CA) August 2005 –- LA Opera will begin its
2005/06 20th Anniversary Season with a dazzling weekend of music,
dining and dancing, September 9 through 11. Over 600 guests from
the
arts and entertainment community will join General Director Plácido
Domingo, Hollywood legend Garry Marshall and opera stars Frederica
von Stade, Angela Gheorghiu and Roberto Alagna for an array of
events to celebrate the Company’s opening performances of
The Grand Duchess (Saturday, September 10) and Pagliacci (Sunday,
September 11). The Gala Weekend, underwritten by The Eli and Edythe
L. Broad Foundation, is expected to raise approximately $1 million
for LA Opera. Mary Hayley is the Chair of the 20th Anniversary
Celebration Weekend and the 20th Anniversary Season is chaired
by Carol Henry.
LA Opera’s production of Pagliacci is made possible by
a generous gift from The Eli and Edythe L. Broad Foundation. The
new production of The Grand Duchess is made possible by a generous
gift from Mr. and Mrs. Milan Panic.
The Gala Weekend festivities will begin on Friday, September 9,
with an exclusive dinner party for top-level Platinum Ticket and
Table buyers who purchase the entire weekend package. This event
will be held at a private residence.
LA Opera will launch the 2005/06 Season on Saturday, September
10 at 6 PM with Offenbach’s boisterous
operetta The Grand Duchess, starring the internationally celebrated
Frederica von Stade. Directed and adapted by Garry Marshall in
his operatic debut, this all-new production will be led by conductor
Emmanuel Villaume and features sets by Heidi Ettinger, costumes
by Constance Hoffman, lighting by Mary Louise Geiger and choreography
by Vincent Paterson. The black-tie evening will continue with
a post-performance Gala Dinner with the artists on the Music Center
Plaza where guests will enjoy dancing and
a gourmet dinner created by Patina.
On Sunday, September 11 at 2 PM, a festive Italian Luncheon on
the Music Center Plaza will precede the opening performance of
Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci at 4 PM. Director/set designer Franco
Zeffirelli’s epic production fills the stage with a lavish
recreation of a contemporary urban landscape. Conducted by Nicola
Luisotti, the opera brings back the star husband and wife couple
Roberto Alagna as Canio, the brutal leader of a troupe of traveling
performers, and Angela Gheorghiu as his young, beautiful wife
Nedda.
Following the performance, the 20th Anniversary Weekend will culminate
with a celebratory gathering with the artists in the Grand Hall
of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. In addition, Aria, LA Opera’s
new young professional arts and cultural group, will also honor
the
Company’s 20th Anniversary Weekend with its own special
celebration. The group will inaugurate the season with a post-performance
celebration with cast members of Pagliacci on Sunday, September
11 on the Fifth Floor of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.
20th Anniversary Celebration Weekend Timeline
Friday, September 9
7 PM – Exclusive Dinner party for Platinum Table and Ticket
Buyers
Saturday, September 10
6 PM – Opening Night Performance of The Grand Duchess, Dorothy
Chandler Pavilion
9 PM – Grand Opening Night Gala with Dinner and Dancing,
Music Center Plaza
Sunday, September 11
2 PM – Italian Luncheon, Music Center Plaza
4 PM – Opening performance of Pagliacci
5:30 PM – Aria 20th Anniversary Celebration, Dorothy Chandler
Pavilion Fifth Floor
5:30 PM – Grand Finale Celebration with the artists, Dorothy
Chandler Pavilion Grand Hall
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