After two decades of artistic leadership, internationally acclaimed conductor and organist Martin Haselböck will take his final bow as music director of Musica Angelica at a special farewell benefit concert on Wednesday, March 25, in the First Congregational Church of Long Beach’s sanctuary (FBCCLB). The performance will feature Haselböck leading Musica Angelica in a program honoring the baroque tradition that has defined his tenure.
Titled “Auf Wiedersehen Maestro Haselböck,” the evening celebrates Haselböck’s 20th season with Southern California’s premier historical performance ensemble. In a fitting artistic full circle, Haselböck steps away from the podium and returns to his roots at the keyboard. The seven-rank “Mighty Möller” pipe organ, comprising 427 pipes across 61-note ranks, will resound under his command, filling the sanctuary with the brilliance and depth that have defined his international career.
Haselböck will be joined by renowned soprano Nola Richardson for a featured aria, and later by a quartet of Musica Angelica’s principal and founding musicians (Ilia Korol, Alexa Haynes Pilon, Gonzalo Ruiz, and Stephen Schultz) for a Telemann work with Haselböck at the harpsichord.
The event begins at 5:30 p.m. with a pre-concert interview conducted by Alan Chapman of KUSC. The benefit concert starts at 6 p.m. A reception and dinner at La Traviata Restaurant follow at 7:30 p.m. Space for the dinner is limited.
Proceeds from this benefit concert will support Musica Angelica’s community engagement initiatives, which include:
- A free Community Concert Series
- Complimentary concert tickets for K-12 students and their families
- Site visits to underserved communities and nonprofit organizations
- Master classes with high school and university orchestral programs
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25
Interview with Alan Chapman from KUSC at 5:30 p.m.
Benefit Concert at 6 p.m.
Reception and Dinner at La Traviata at 7:30 p.m. (space is limited)
Individual tickets to this special benefit performance are $100. Sponsorship packages that include the concert, reception and VIP dinner with special guests are available. Please see details at https://www.simpletix.com/e/auf-wiedersehen-maestro-haselbock-tickets-246867.
Tickets and sponsorship information are available at https://www.musicaangelica.org or by calling the box office at (562) 276-0865.