BACH BY SIMONE DINNERSTEIN

Simone Dinnerstein, piano

Monday, June 18, 8 p.m.

Renée & Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall

Segerstrom Center for the Arts

615 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa 92626

Part of Baroque Music Festival, Corona del Mar

J.S. BACH: French Suite No. 5 in G major, BWV 816

J.S. BACH: Partita No. 2 in C minor, BWV 826

J.S. BACH: English Suite No. 3 in G minor, BWV 808

J.S. BACH: Partita No. 1 in B-flat major, BWV 825

SPECIAL OFFER FOR CULTURE SPOT READERS:

RECEIVE 20% OFF TICKETS USING PROMO CODE: BACH20

(Regular ticket prices are $15-$45)

TWO WAYS TO ORDER

ORDER BY PHONE:

1) Call (949) 553-2422 (must mention promo code: BACH20).

ORDER ONLINE:

1) Log onto www.PhilharmonicSociety.org and click on Calendar of Events.

2) Select Simone Dinnerstein, piano on the Calendar page.

3) Must enter the promo code: BACH20 and click Update before check out.

Valid only through the Philharmonic Society website and box office. No adjustments to prior purchases. Must use promotion code BACH20 when ordering.

For more information, call (949) 553-2422 or visit www.PhilharmonicSociety.org.

_________________________________________________________________

Tuesday, May 8, 8 p.m.

Pre-concert lecture by Randy Polevoi at 7 p.m.

Renée & Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall

Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall

615 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa  92626

NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC

Alan Gilbert, conductor

Yefim Bronfman, piano

Program:

BERLIOZ: Le Corsaire Overture

BEETHOVEN: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37

DEBUSSY: La Mer

RAVEL: La Valse

SPECIAL OFFER FOR CULTURE SPOT READERS

Receive 10% off tickets using promo code: FIMA10

(Regular ticket prices are $50-$350)

TWO WAYS TO ORDER

ORDER BY PHONE:

1) Call (949) 553-2422 (must mention promo code: FIMA10)

ORDER ONLINE:

1) Log onto www.PhilharmonicSociety.org and click on Calendar of Events

2) Select New York Philharmonic on the Calendar page

3) Must enter the promo code: FIMA10 and click Update before check out

Valid only through the Philharmonic Society website and box office. No adjustments to prior purchases. Must use promotion code FIMA10 when ordering.

For more information, call (949) 553-2422 or visit www.PhilharmonicSociety.org.

Komodo dragon at the LA Zoo

The LAIR just opened in March and features more than 60 species of amphibians, invertebrates and reptiles from around the world in a total of 49 exhibits. Visit http://www.lazoo.org/lair/multimedia/ to see the LA Zoo’s humorous commercial campaign for the LAIR, featuring actress Betty White, GLAZA co-chair, and rock guitarist Slash, a GLAZA trustee.

An LA Zoo keeper with a great horned owl

The Tom Mankiewicz Conservation Carousel, which opened last October, features 66 artisan-crafted figures as diverse as a komodo dragon, poison dart frog, clownfish and Sumatran tiger. The vibrantly colorful carousel was commissioned by GLAZA and made possible by a generous gift from Ann and Jerry Moss and by figure sponsorships from individual benefactors. The carousel spins to music by the Police, Go-Go’s, Cat Stevens, Amy Grant, Janet Jackson, Bryan Adams, Joe Cocker, Styx, the Carpenters, Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass and other recording artists from the A&M label co-founded by Moss with Alpert.

Another LA Zoo keeper on an "Animal Walkabout"

The Sunset Safari event was a wonderful reminder of ways animal lovers can help the LA Zoo.

Join the SAFARI CLUB

Donors to the SAFARI CLUB, which is GLAZA’s premier annual giving society, support the Zoo and have the opportunity to experience events that offer up-close experiences with wildlife and demonstrate the latest developments in zoo research and conservation efforts. Tax-deductible donations to the SAFARI CLUB, which begin at $1,500, have an impact on many levels. Locally, they support the Zoo; globally, they contribute to the Zoo’s conservation and breeding programs.

For information about the Safari Club, please contact Nancy Simerly at (323) 644-4717 or nsimerly@lazoo.org.

A gorilla at the LA Zoo

Sponsor a carousel animal

More than 40 of the hand-carved and hand-painted carousel animals have been claimed for sponsorships, among them Snakes on a Log (GLAZA Trustee Slash and his wife Perla), the Praying Mantis (GLAZA Trustee Holly Robinson Peete) and the Bear Cub (the Elton John Charitable Fund).

A few animal sponsorships remain available; for opportunities, visit www.lazoo.org/support/carousel.

Name an animal

This year, TV Land, which airs the “Hot in Cleveland” TV series starring Betty White, named the Los Angeles Zoo’s new baby orangutan after White’s character “Elka.”  The gift concluded a spectacular string of events celebrating the 90th birthday of GLAZA Co-Chair White, known for her 50 years of devotion to the Los Angeles Zoo and her life-long commitment to animals.

GLAZA’s Animal Naming conservation program allows groups and individuals an opportunity to develop a deeper connection with a Los Angeles Zoo resident while supporting the Zoo’s work to promote wildlife preservation and breeding projects at the Zoo and around the world.  Many animals are available for naming with donations ranging from $1,000 to $50,000 commensurate with the animal species chosen.

For information about the Animal Naming program, call (323) 644-4781.

Saturday, April 28, 8 p.m.

Pre-concert lecture by Dr. John Koegel at 7 p.m.

Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall

615 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa  92626

SPECIAL OFFER FOR CULTURE SPOT READERS:

10% off regular priced tickets when you use the promo code: GUITAR10

(Regular ticket prices are $30-$250)

TWO WAYS TO ORDER:

ORDER BY PHONE:

1)  Call (949) 553-2422 (must mention promo code: GUITAR10).

ORDER ONLINE:

1)  Log onto www.PhilharmonicSociety.org and click on Calendar of Events.

2)  Select Los Angeles Philharmonic with Pepe Romero on the Calendar page.

3)  Must enter the promo code: GUITAR10

Valid only through the Philharmonic Society website and box office. No discounts to prior purchases. Must use promotion code GUITAR10 when ordering. For more information, call (949) 553-2422 or visit www.PhilharmonicSociety.org.

Tuesday, April 17, 8 p.m.

Pre-concert lecture by Dr. Burton Karson at 7 p.m.

Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall

615 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa 92626

SPECIAL OFFER FOR CULTURE SPOT READERS:

10% off regular-priced tickets when you use the promo code: ORION10

(Regular ticket prices are $30-$250)

TWO WAYS TO ORDER:

ORDER BY PHONE:

1)  Call (949) 553-2422 (must mention promo code: ORION10).

ORDER ONLINE:

1)  Log onto www.PhilharmonicSociety.org and click on Calendar of Events.

2)  Select Cleveland Orchestra on the Calendar page.

3)  Must enter the promo code ORION10 and click Update before check out.

Valid only through the Philharmonic Society website and box office. No discounts to prior purchases. Must use promotion code ORION10 when ordering. For more information, call
(949) 553-2422 or visit www.PhilharmonicSociety.org.

Wednesday, March 28, at 8 p.m.

Pre-concert lecture by Christopher Russell at 7 p.m.

Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall

615 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

SPECIAL OFFER FOR CULTURE SPOT READERS:

10% off regular-priced tickets when you use the promo code: FANFARE10

(Regular ticket prices are $30-$250)

TWO WAYS TO ORDER:

ORDER BY PHONE:

1)  Call (949) 553-2422 (must mention promo code: FANFARE10).

ORDER ONLINE:

1)  Log onto www.PhilharmonicSociety.org and click on Calendar of Events.

2)  Select Baltimore Symphony Orchestra on the Calendar page.

3)  Must enter the promo code: FANFARE10 and click Update before check out.

Valid only through the Philharmonic Society website and box office. No discounts to prior purchases. Must use promotion code FANFARE10 when ordering. For more information, call (949) 553-2422 or visit www.PhilharmonicSociety.org.

Susan Angelo and Geoff Elliott in "Antony and Cleopatra" at A Noise Within / photo by Craig Schwartz

A Noise Within has an amazing new theater in Pasadena. Granted, these actors were mesmerizing on the group’s previous stage in Glendale, so a new, state-of-the-art venue can only enhance their work and add to the audience’s enjoyment in what are perhaps less significant ways. That said, when a company designs a theater that seats 300 but no audience member is farther than eight rows from the stage in a very cool Edward Durell Stone-designed mid-century modern building, that is a great theater. And “Antony and Cleopatra,” with shows continuing March 22 through May 13, is the kind of grand saga fit for this new home and the company’s 20th-anniversary season.

With “Antony and Cleopatra,” Producing Artistic Directors Julia Rodriguez-Elliott and Geoff Elliott wanted to take full advantage of the larger space — and the actors literally swing from the rafters. But some uneven details prevent this production from completely soaring. Still, I highly recommend this play, one you won’t see mounted nearly as often as a long list of other Shakespeare works, presented for the first time by Southern California’s only year-round classical repertory company.

Frank Kermode calls “Antony and Cleopatra” “one of the most highly wrought of all the tragedies” and Cleopatra “the greatest of Shakespeare’s female characterizations.” As Kath Bradley’s synopsis in the program points out, “Antony and Cleopatra” deals with various dichotomies: love and war, desire and duty, male and female. Its elements of political drama and soap opera, and journeys in history, psychology/sociology and philosophy, are mixed up often enough to please — dare I say it? — all theatergoers.

The play picks up where “Julius Caesar” left off (covering events between 40 and 30 B.C.). Mark Antony, Octavius Caesar and Lepidus rule the Roman Empire. To borrow from Bradley to summarize the action: Caesar takes arms against a Roman senator, Pompey, and his naval forces after the triumvirate had negotiated a peace. Then Caesar plots against Lepidus and eventually declares war on Egypt and Antony, who is essentially enthroned there with his lover, the queen, Cleopatra.

The actors kept all that fighting entertaining. In a very dramatic use of the new theater space, soldiers dropped from the ceiling and flew through the aisles on ropes, creating an exciting battle scene choreographed by Ken Merckx.

Susan Angelo was regal as Cleopatra, powerfully ruling her emotions that peak in unrestrained desire for Antony and jealous fury about Octavia (Caesar’s sister, whom Antony marries to strengthen his ties with Rome). She portrayed the intelligent leader known for her seductive charms (she also had an affair and a son with Julius Caesar) with confidence and vulnerability.

Elliott as Antony effectively transitioned from passionate in his scenes with Cleopatra to brutal in his scenes with his enemies. He sympathetically played a fallen leader who, as Kermode pointed out, chooses sensual pleasure over heroic virtue. We can feel for him, even if Antony’s lieutenant-general does blame women for men’s weaknesses: “So our leader’s led, 
And we are women’s men.”

Antony’s assistant Enobarbus was played masterfully by Robertson Dean, who captured many nuances in the role. The rest of the 24-person cast was mostly consistently good. However, the role of Caesar needed more of the cunning one might expect of the victorious ruler of the Roman Empire.

The fact that the eunuch Mardian was over the top seemed to be part of a pattern of trying to play up too much comedy in this history/tragedy. There were many moments that naturally elicited laughs, but some distracting times when things felt forced or ventured into farce, as when Antony and Cleopatra laughed uproariously at his first wife Fulvia’s death.

Tom Buderwitz’s scenic design included colorful fabrics in Cleopatra’s palace and a reflecting pool at the front of the stage to draw the eye. Otherwise, it was a little too minimalist to convey the rich cultures of Rome and Egypt. Instead of backdrops, the audience looked at exposed scaffolding under platforms creating a second story for action and surrounding two crumbling (and effectively symbolic) columns.

Angela Balogh Calin had a lot of characters to outfit and mostly did an impressive job. Cleopatra’s attendants were lavishly costumed in flowing fabrics in a gorgeous range of hues with splashes of jewelry; and the Roman soldiers’ costumes complete with armor and Trojan helmets were also well crafted.

But Cleopatra’s costumes were disappointing and looked cheaply made, unbecoming for the woman Enobarbus describes as “appareled and attired like the goddess Venus commonly drawn in picture.” (Also, Cleopatra’s drastic hairstyle change seemed random.) Other than that, some other details stood out: Pompey and his men looked like scruffy pirates, Antony appeared in a terry cloth toga and sash, and among a multitude of great-looking sandals on Romans and Egyptians alike were a few pairs (including one worn by Cleopatra) that looked like they were straight off the department store shelves.

But those are minor details in an otherwise entertaining production. The creative forces at A Noise Within are talented at transporting us to another time and place and have added another great Shakespearean production to their repertoire.

—Julie Riggott, Culture Spot LA

“Antony and Cleopatra” continues March 22 through May 13 at A Noise Within. For information and tickets, visit www.ANoiseWithin.org.

Ohlsson captures the audience with his flawless technique, strong grasp of form and a clean, non-romanticized style of performing. The Takács Quartet combines four distinct musical personalities — Edward Dusinberre, violin; Károly Schranz, violin; Geraldine Walther, viola; and András Fejér, cello — in perfect harmony. Both Ohlsson and the Takács Quartet are Grammy Award winners.

Tuesday, March 20, at 8 p.m.

Pre-concert lecture by Dean Corey at 7 p.m.

Irvine Barclay Theatre

4242 Campus Drive, Irvine, CA 92612

SPECIAL OFFER FOR CULTURE SPOT READERS:

10% off regular price when you use the promo code: TAKACS10

(Regular ticket prices are $35-$45.)

TWO WAYS TO ORDER:

ORDER BY PHONE:

1)             Call (949) 553-2422 (must mention promo code: TAKACS10 )

ORDER ONLINE:

1)             Log onto www.PhilharmonicSociety.org and click on Calendar of Events.

2)             Select Takács Quartet and Garrick Ohlsson on the Calendar page.

3)             Must enter the promo code: TAKACS10 and click Update before checkout.

Valid only through the Philharmonic Society website and box office. No discounts to prior purchases. Must use promotion code TAKACS10 when ordering. For more information, call (949) 553-2422 or visit www.PhilharmonicSociety.org.