First ‘Opera’ in plans for Nov. 2; launching a new music series
Local music lovers can rejoice as Grace Lutheran Church in Culver City is bringing more ‘beautiful sounds’ to the community in the coming weeks and months.
Besides the MidDay Concert series slated for the second Thursdays of the month, music director Mary Lou Basaraba has arranged for the first “Opera at Grace” concert to highlight “La Traviata” by Giuseppi Verdi at 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2.
“This [opera] will introduce a new music series, featuring local opera companies in highlights of operatic favorites,” she said.
Christened an “Opera Plus series” by Basaraba, she explained that the new opera series brings together a wide range of talent and gives promising musicians ‘performance experience.’
“I have secured a wonderful local company as the first venture in early November and I am in discussion with director of the Opera program at the L.A. County high school of the arts for a performance by their brilliant young singers of the seasonal favorite, ‘Amahl and the Night Visitors’ in December,” Basaraba said.
“I am considering presenting more of these concerts in the new year, perhaps every other month or so.”
Basara is a well-traveled musician, with an extensive performance career as an operatic and symphonic soloist under her performance name of Marya Basaraba. She has created the Nevada State Opera, presenting semi-staged operas throughout Southern California and the desert communities, including in Las Vegas.
“I am still very involved in the local opera community as a vocal coach and chorus Maestra for several orchestras, including the Culver City/Marina del Rey Symphony for which I delivered a 75-voice chorus for the opening concert at the Burton Chace Park this summer with a performance of Puccini’s ‘La Boheme,’” she told the News.
“Along with the L.A. and Long Beach Opera’s, there are many smaller opera companies in the area giving opportunities to wonderful singers who are building their repertoire and performance experience,” Basaraba added.
The smaller operas planted a seed in her to bring a “new opera experience” to the Westside, particularly Culver City.
“Grace Church is a perfect concert venue with great acoustics, a lovely grand piano, and including adaptable ‘staging’ options,” she said.
October Mid-Day Concert
Grace Performing Arts will present “PLAYDATE” in MidDay At Grace Concerts, starting at noon on Thursday, Oct. 10 at Grace Church, 4427 Overland Ave, Culver City.
“Playdate’s eclectic and engaging performances, which showcase anywhere from 4 to 12 horns, include arrangements of classical favorites, film music, pop, and Broadway hits,” the Maestra told the News.
Playdate was formed as a celebration of the deep pool of female talent who contribute to today’s L.A. horn sound. The ladies are members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Long Beach and Santa Barbara Symphonies. They are regular performers with Los Angeles Opera, Pacific, and San Diego Symphonies, and they play Broadway shows in LA’s major theaters, including the Pantages, the Ahmanson, and the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa. Collectively, the members of Playdate have logged thousands of hours recording for major motion pictures, television shows, record dates, and commercial jingles.
They teach at colleges and universities, including the USC Thornton School of Music, UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, University of Redlands, and Asuza Pacific University ( www.facebook.com/playdatehorns).
As with all Mid-Day concerts, the event is free and all monetary donations go toward the charity of the performing artist’s choosing.
“One hundred percent of audience donations will go to a cause close to Playdate, called “Hearts of Music,” a non-profit established in collaboration with “Trombone Christmas” to assist musicians with emergency medical needs,” Basaraba said. “Many musicians, although working, do not have or qualify for medical insurance and, as we all know, illness and accidents don’t check for medical coverage before striking. The family of a Playdate member was recently a Hearts of Music funds recipient after their 10-year-old son was diagnosed with osteosarcoma (bone cancer).
Those unable to attend are also encouraged to support Grace Church, Playdate and Hearts of Music via a PayPal donation at www.heartsofmusic.com
or with a check mailed to Hearts of Music Fund, 2751 Westshire Dr., Hollywood, CA 90068.