Opera-Kadabra!

Saturday, May 4, 2013 2:00 pm

Opera and magic collide with spectacular results in this one-of-a-kind show as classic opera arias are artfully ornamented with visual magic. Baritone PATRICK BELL sings the beautiful arias that you all know and love – or will soon fall in love with -- and performs stunning magic that illustrates the character, affect of the music, and meaning of the text, in an entertaining and engaging art form. Each aria is introduced with a brief description of what is going on in the story, and the opera is sung live to a recorded orchestral track. Visual magic tricks are the vehicle that helps tell the stories.

Patrick Bell launched his career as a professional magician at the age of thirteen in Healdsburg, California. He earned both Bachelors of Music and Masters of Music degrees in Vocal Performance at UCLA, and has enjoyed several seasons with the Los Angeles Opera Chorus and the worldwide TV ministry Hour of Power Choir. He is currently the Parish Cantor at Sts. Simon & Jude Church in Huntington Beach, CA.

Patrick’s one-man show has delighted audiences through Southern California with magic and opera for all ages – children to seniors and everyone in between. Join us on Saturday, May 4th for an enchanting and captivating afternoon!

LA Opera Talk: Puccini’s Tosca

The LA Opera Talk series continues
@ Crowell Public Library

SUNDAY, April 21st 2:00 p.m.

Giancomo Puccini's Tosca closes out the Library's 2012/13 LA Opera Talk season: a fiery prima donna is forced to play a role she never imagined when she becomes trapped between her rebel lover and a scheming, treacherous police chief who will stop at nothing in his lust for her! This explosive triangle comes to a hair-raising conclusion in one of opera's bloodiest, most intense dramas. One of the most popular of all operas (could it be the lust and treachery?), the passionate tale that is Tosca is a set to some of Puccini's most openly beautiful music. This production will be conducted by Plácido Domingo at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in May.
A Community Educator from Los Angeles Opera will discuss this work, set in 19th century Italy, when Napoleon was emerging as a threat to the status quo and Rome was in chaos. The Opera Talk will feature audio excerpts and possibly video segments. The great performances you hear and the review of the opera's story will undoubtedly inspire you to go to LA Opera's production.
The Community Educators is a volunteer program of LA Opera, in collaboration with the Opera League of Los Angeles. LA Opera's team of trained experts addresses civic and social organizations, philanthropic groups, schools and library audiences throughout Southern California, free of charge.
Opera is not just magnificent music, dance and theater with astounding sets on a beautiful stage; opera can sweep you away to foreign lands, take you back in time, dazzle you with pageantry and bring history to life. It is literature, social studies, cultural diversity, multiple languages and most of all, it is exciting! Come explore the world of opera which has something for everyone.
This introduction to opera at Crowell Public Library is absolutely free.