Plácido Domingo, General Director of LA Opera, has announced the official launch of Britten 100/LA: A Celebration, a festival honoring the 2013 centenary of the great British composer Benjamin Britten (1913-1976). The inaugural festival event, a conversation with LA Opera Music Director James Conlon, will take place at 4:00pm on Saturday, February 23, 2013, at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.
Mr. Conlon, whose lifelong admiration of Britten's genius is reflected in his personal three-year performance cycle of the composer's works in the United States and Europe, spearheads Britten 100/LA for LA Opera. In a presentation expanding upon the format of his popular pre-performance talks, Mr. Conlon will discuss the artistic legacy of Britten and his music, as well as introduce the numerous festival events taking place throughout Southern California well into 2014. The event will include performances of Britten vocal works by members of LA Opera's Domingo-Thornton Young Artist Program and all attendees are invited to meet Mr. Conlon in person after the presentation.
"In the same year that the world honors the bicentenaries of Giuseppe Verdi and Richard Wagner, it is equally important for musicians to pay tribute to the 100th birthday of Benjamin Britten," said Mr. Conlon. "I am delighted that LA Opera is the catalyst behind a wide-ranging celebration that testifies to the multifaceted nature of Britten's genius, uniting our community around shared musical and educational experiences. I look forward to sharing my vision for this wonderful celebration with the LA Opera family and our many festival partners."
Benjamin Britten wrote some of the most appealing classical music of the twentieth century. A master of orchestral writing, he is perhaps best known for his music for the voice: operas, choral works, songs and song cycles. He was as committed to writing music for children and amateur performers as he was for leading soloists of the day. More than 65 Britten 100/LA partners to date have come together to examine and celebrate this remarkable talent through a variety of performances, conferences and exhibitions.
The February 23 event is open to the public and free of charge. Reservations can be made by calling the LA Opera Box Office at 213.972.8001. The salon will take place in Salon A, on the fifth floor of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, located at 135 North Grand Avenue, Los Angeles CA 90012.
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