Posts by Culturalcocktailhour
Review: “Billy Budd” at LA Opera
Hanging… Onto the Edge of Your Seat LA Opera’s Billy Budd by Leticia Marie Sanchez LA Opera’s Billy Budd in a word? Intense. Three standing ovations. The opening night of Billy Budd provoked rousing enthusiasm from the crowd. When even the villain elicits fanatical cheers, you know that something has gone incredibly right. Liam Bonner as Billy Budd.…
Read MoreBackstage at LA Opera’s “Billy Budd”
Cultural Cocktail Hour’s Editor-in-Chief Leticia Marie Sanchez had the opportunity to go backstage on the set of Benjamin Britten’s seafaring opera Billy Budd which opens at LA Opera on February 22nd. Backstage at Billy Budd: 3 Fun Facts 1. Water and Britten Conductor James Conlon explained, “Water is an enormous element in Britten’s music.” Born in the fishing port of Lowestoft, England, Britten was influenced by his…
Read MoreThis Week’s Top Pick in LA
Hearsay of the Soul, Werner Herzog Getty Center. 1200 Getty Center Drive. LA, CA. 90049. (310) 440-7300 www.getty.edu Closing April 20th This moving journey into interior worlds combines the landscape etchings of 16th century Dutch artist Hercules Segers with the music of cellist and composer Ernst Reijseger. For this pilgrim, sitting on the bench in front of the installation the experience…
Read MoreJanuary 21- Happy Birthday Plácido Domingo!: Video Appearance on CCH
In honor of Plácido Domingo‘s birthday today, here is a video clip where the Maestro made a cameo appearance, chatting briefly with Cultural Cocktail Hour Founder Leticia Marie Sanchez after his performance of Simon Boccanegra during an episode on the history of LA Opera. Wishing the Maestro health bliss and many more triumphs in the coming year!
Read MoreHappy New Year to my readers!
Cultural Cocktail Hour® is a registered trademark In 2013, Cultural Cocktail Hour traveled through Andalusia, Umbria, Chianti, and Tuscany. Wishing my readers around the globe a very HAPPY NEW YEAR replete with Many Blessings, Cultural Adventures, and Creative Inspiration! Best Wishes, Leticia Marie Sanchez, Editor-in-Chief, C.C.H.
Read MoreThis weekend Top Picks in LA: Jan 17-19
This weekend’s Cultural Cocktail recipe includes a splash of Brahms and more than a dash of Art: Cultural Cocktail Hour® is a registered Trademark AX BRAHMS PROJECT: Emanuel Ax & Robin Ticciati Fri Jan 17 8:00PM; Sat Jan 18 2:00PM; Sun Jan 19 2:00 PM; LIGETI: Melodien; BRAHMS: Piano Concerto No. 1; Walt Disney Concert Hall. 111 S. Grand Ave. LA, CA…
Read MoreMeet the Duke of Osuna
Goya’s Portrait of Don Pedro, Duque de Osuna, at the Norton Simon By Leticia Marie Sanchez Cultural Cocktail Hour® is a registered trademark Cultural Cocktail Hour had the pleasure of meeting the Duke of Osuna at the Norton Simon last week. The Duke is currently wintering in sun-drenched Pasadena, on a vacation from his Upper East Side pied-à-terre, New York’s Frick Collection. Accompanied by…
Read MoreWhere Turtle Doves & Thunderstorms Collide: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons
Cultural Cocktail Hour adores arts-fusion. On Friday night, I listened to the “Four Seasons” performed by the Salastina Music Society and left with a new understanding of not only the music, but also the charming characters populating Vivaldi’s masterpiece. This unique musical exploration, hosted by Brian Lauritzen, translated each note and instrument into a vivid character in the Sonnets of “The…
Read MoreHappy Birthday, Maria Callas!
This week, Maria Callas would have been 90 years old She was an opera singer famous for her coloratura– expertise in adding texture and color to each note with her agile voice. Many critics have classified her as “Soprano Sfogato “- the unlimited soprano. Another classification for her voice was “Soprano Assoluta.” The Absolute Soprano. Yes she was.
Read MoreBackstage at LA Opera’s “Magic Flute”- 5 Fun Facts
Mozart & Movie *Magic* Behind-the-scenes at LA Opera’s “Magic Flute“ By Leticia Marie Sanchez Cultural Cocktail Hour® is a registered trademark Cultural Cocktail Hour went backstage to check out the animation at LA Opera’s Magic Flute a production that became a cult hit at the Komische Oper in Berlin. Created by the British theater group 1927 (in collaboration with Barrie Kosky), the production combines animated film and live…
Read More