By Libby Motika
Palisades News Contributor
From the debut presentation of La Boheme in Pacific Palisades in 2009 at the United Methodist Church, the Los Angeles Metropolitan Opera has steadily pursued its mission to present masterpiece operatic performances as originally conceived by the composers who created them.
Founded in 2008 by sopranos Ella Lee and Palisadian Linda Jackson, the non-profit theatrical organization has brought the excitement, beauty and passion of the world’s most beloved masterpieces to Los Angeles residents and now to surrounding communities.
Two L.A. Met outreach performances are coming up this month and next.
The company will present a semi-staged production of Verdi’s Aida on Sunday, Oct. 16, 4 p.m. at All Saints Episcopal Church in Riverside.
Opera production.
Photo courtesy LA Metropolitan Opera
Closer to home, Engelbert Humperdinck’s Hansel & Gretel will be fully staged on Saturday, Nov. 5, from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Central Library’s Taper Auditorium downtown. Admission is free and underground parking is available.
The idea for the opera was proposed to Humperdinck by his sister, who asked him to write music for songs that she had written for her children for Christmas based on “Hansel and Gretel.”
The opera is much admired for its folk music-inspired themes, one of the most famous being the “Abendsegen” (“Evening Benediction”) from act two.
“This is a perfect opportunity to expose young ones to our rich musical heritage,” Jackson says.
For more information, visit http://www.losangelesmet.com/.
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