LOS ANGELES (Opera Nova) - Opera Nova, the
Santa Monica-based opera company, will present an unprecedented musical event at the John Anson Ford Theater Sunday August 1, 2004 at 8:00 p.m. "Living
Legends of Latin Music" will feature music of today written by numerous critically acclaimed Latin composers living in Los Angeles.
This is the first time a program will feature classical works of five contemporary Latin composers, all residents of Los Angeles. The evening's music will feature both orchestral and operatic works of Mexican composers Carlos Rodriguez, Daniel Catan and Enrique Gonzalez-Medina, Cuban composer Aurelio de la Vega, and Uruguayan composer Miguel del Aguila.
The event will also unite the talent of stage director Christopher Harlan; former L.A. Opera resident soprano Shana Blake Hill; local operatic luminary Suzanna Guzman and conductor Sean Bradley. Bradley is responsible for assembling the 40-piece virtuoso chamber orchestra, bringing together the best instrumentalists from the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Los Angeles Opera Orchestra, Opera Pacific, the New West Symphony and the Santa Barbara Symphony.
The program will be extensive and includes a work for full orchestra by Carlos Rodriguez; a work for string orchestra by Aurelio de la Vega; a concerto for piano and orchestra by Miguel del Aguila; an a cappella choral piece as well as a work for tenor vocalist and orchestra by Enrique Gonzalez-Medina and scenes for mixed vocalists and orchestra by Daniel Catan.
The Composers:
Carlos Rodriguez's work employs a full and complex orchestral texture with an intense contemporary lyricism supported by arresting and unexpected harmonies. His work has been premiered by the Los Angeles Philharmonic under the baton of Esa Pekka Salonen.
Aurelio de la Vega, twice a Kennedy Center award winner and one of the most important living composers of Latin American art music today, has had his challenging and intense works performed by major orchestras throughout the world.
Miguel del Aguila, another Kennedy Center honoree and a former California Arts Council Artist in Residence, combines Latin dance rhythms, jazz based harmonies and ethnic melodies into a highly accessible style.
Composer Enrique Gonz�lez-Medina, a faculty member of the Pasadena Conservatory of Music, has presented new works with soloists, ensembles and orchestras from Mexico, the United States and Colombia. His children's opera How Nanita Learned to Make Flan, a commission from Cincinnati Opera, was recently premiered in January 2004.
Daniel Catan enjoys a reputation as one of the reigning modern neo-impressionist composers. He has composed works for Huston Grand Opera, San Diego Opera, Los Angeles Opera and is arguably Mexico's most eminent living composer. Opera Nova is a Santa Monica based opera company.
Opera Nova was formed in 1998 by General Director Gail Gordon as a venue for young opera singers to refine their craft as they prepare for the professional world of opera. Ms Gordon is a renowned voice teacher whose students have performed all over the world. She is currently on the staff of both Santa Monica and Pasadena Colleges.
The John Anson Ford Amphitheater is located at 2580 Cahuenga Blvd., across from the Hollywood Bowl. The Ford is disabled accessible and listening devices are available upon request.
This event is part of the Ford Amphitheater 2004 Season, a multi-disciplinary arts series produced by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission. For a complete season schedule, directions and parking information log on to www.fordamphitheater.org.
