“LACO à la carte,” five intimate, elegant fundraising events presented by the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, pair exclusive musical performances with delectable international cuisine in the spectacular private homes of the Consuls General of Australia, Austria, Finland, France and Germany. Providing a decidedly cosmopolitan flair to LACO’s wide ranging musical offerings, each unique evening features representative cuisine complemented by a salon performance spotlighting LACO musicians and guest artists. The “LACO à la carte” series, now in its sixth year, illustrates that music truly knows no boundaries. Proceeds help support the education outreach programs of LACO, proclaimed “America’s finest chamber orchestra” by Public Radio International.
Experience “Finland à la carte,” Sept. 18, Bel Air; “Australia à la carte,” Sept. 27, Brentwood; “France à la carte,” Oct. 9, Beverly Hills; “Germany à la carte,” Oct. 25, Hancock Park; “Austria à la carte,” Nov. 7, Brentwood.
“Finland à la carte”
Thursday, Sept. 18, at 7 p.m. in Bel Air at the official residence of the Consul General of Finland
Experience the refined cuisine and culture of one of the world’s northernmost countries at the first “LACO à la carte” of the season hosted by The Honorable Juha Markkanen, Consul General of Finland, and Mrs. Tuula Markkanen, in their spectacular Bel Air residence. As the featured guest artist, Finnish pianist Juho Pohjonen offers an intimate recital of sublime solo piano works. Proclaimed an “exciting new talent” (The New York Times), he has been hailed for his “dazzling keyboard technique and broad and varied textural palette that allows him to shade his performances with great subtlety” (San Francisco Chronicle). Pohjonen is also featured at LACO’s season opening concerts on Sept. 20 at Glendale’s Alex Theatre and Sept. 21 at UCLA’s Royce Hall.
“Australia à la carte”
Saturday, Sept. 27, at 7 p.m. at the Brentwood residence of the Consul General of Australia
Warm and generous hospitality from “down under” highlights LACO’s “Australia à la carte,” hosted by Australia’s Consul General, The Honorable Karen Lanyon, and Mr. Craig Mills, at their striking Brentwood residence. Authentic Australian fare and wines provide tasty accompaniment to a riveting musical program led by LACO Principal Percussion Wade Culbreath on the marimba. Culbreath, who is also principal percussion with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, has played on nearly 400 motion picture soundtracks, including the Academy Award-winning scores for “Aladdin,” “Pocahontas” and “Life of Pi.” More recently, he was principal percussion for “Frozen,” “Godzilla” and “Transformers,” and timpanist for “A Million Ways to Die in the West.”
“France à la carte”
Thursday, Oct. 9, at 7 p.m. in Beverly Hills at the official residence of the Consul General of France
The Honorable Axel Cruau, Consul General of France, and Mrs. Dourène Cruau host the season’s third “LACO à la carte” at their beautiful Beverly Hills residence. Illuminating the dazzling cultural and musical vibrancy of France, the evening features a program of Baroque works for string ensemble led by LACO Principal Violin II Josefina Vergara, who recently toured Europe and Asia with the Uri Caine Ensemble, a noted jazz group, and has also performed at numerous summer music festivals, including Mainly Mozart, Tanglewood, the Music Academy of the West Summer Festival and Germany’s Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival. Superb French food and fine wine cap the soirée.
“Germany à la carte”
Saturday, Oct. 25, at 7 p.m. in Hancock Park at the official residence of the Consul General of Germany
“LACO à la carte” commemorates the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall and the momentous events that ushered in a new era for Europe and the world with a special program hosted by Dr. Bernd Fischer, The Honorable Consul General of Germany, and Mrs. Jutta Fischer, in their elegant Hancock Park home. With the culinary riches of Germany adding a delicious note to the festivities, LACO Principal Cello Andrew Shulman leads a performance of Richard Strauss’s rarely played epic masterpiece “Metamorphosen,” a profound musical elegy for seven virtuosic string players. Los Angeles Times declares Shulman’s playing is “always eloquent and passionate,” Salt Lake Tribune calls him “fabulously nuanced” and The Times of London praises him for his “fastidious poetry of phrase and technique.” This is a premium “LACO à la carte” event.
“Austria à la carte”
Friday, Nov. 7, at 7 p.m. in Brentwood at the official residence of the Consul General of Austria
“Austria à la carte,” hosted by Ulrike Ritzinger, The Honorable Consul General of Austria, at her stately residence in Brentwood, concludes the 2014 “LACO à la carte” series with an evening that illuminates the country’s unique and vibrant cultural and culinary traditions. LACO Principal Horn Richard Todd, who marks his 35th anniversary with the Orchestra this season and is an internationally renowned concert, jazz and recording artist, pays homage to Austria’s rich musical heritage, leading an unparalleled program that exemplifies the Viennese classical style and beyond with the music of Mozart, Haydn, Hans Eisler and Ernst Toch. Todd has earned acclaim as one of the world’s finest horn soloists for performances spanning Carnegie Hall to the Hollywood Bowl, and the Jazz Bakery to Birdland. This is also a premium “LACO à la carte” event.
“LACO à la carte” tickets for Sept. 18 and 27 and Oct. 9 are $275 per person. Tickets for the premium “Germany à la carte” and “Austria à la carte” are $300 per person. Multiple-event packages include Chef’s Table Trio tickets at $750 per person for any three events.
“LACO à la carte” events may be purchased by calling (213) 622-7001, ext. 3. Details are available at www.laco.org/events.