Posts by Culturalcocktailhour
Young Verdi: Altar Boy
By Leticia Marie Sanchez Cultural Cocktail Hour® is a registered Trademark In his Book of Musical Anecdotes, Norman Lebrecht relates a revealing incident from Verdi’s childhood. The seven-year-old Verdi, born into a modest family, once served as an altar boy at the church of Le Rencole. During Fête Day, the young boy heard the organ…
Read MoreThis week in LA: Christie’s Preview of Old Masters Sale
Christie’s Preview of Old Masters sale including Masterworks from The Estate of Lila and Herman Shickman and an Important Private Collection Christie’s Los Angeles336 N. Camden Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 VIEWINGJanuary 10–16Weekdays: 10am – 6pmSaturday: 12pm – 4pmSunday: Closed Angelenos have a chance to preview works from the estate of Lila and Herman Shickman, in advance of…
Read More2011 Art Crime: Stolen Rembrandt found in Encino Church
This post first appeared in Cultural Cocktail Hour in 2011: Only three days after a Rembrandt drawing valued at $250,000 was snatched from the Ritz Carlton in Marina Del Rey, “The Judgement,” turned up mysteriously at St. Nicholas of Myra Episcopal Church in Encino. An assistant priest noticed the drawing placed inside his boss’ office. He assumed that it was a donation…
Read MoreThis weekend in LA: CCH Highlight- Zubin Mehta, Yefim Bronfman, and Brahms
This weekend’s Cultural Cocktail recipe includes a splash of Zubin Mehta, a dash of Yefim Bronfman , and 2 Oz. of Brahms Enjoy! Former LA Phil director Zubin Mehta returns to conduct the music that started his tenure with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the age of 24: Brahms! Thurs. Dec 13th 8:00 P.M Brahms Symphony No. 1 Friday…
Read MoreReview: Family Day at the Norton Simon “Artful Weaving”
Review: Family Day at the Norton Simon “Artful Weaving” by Leticia Marie Sanchez Family Days at the Norton Simon are always a treat for parents and children, due to a wonderfully engaging formula that packs a two-fold punch: 1) A kid-friendly tour of the latest exhibition 2) A children’s craft project inspired by the latest exhibition Educator Gorman Bentley is a natural with…
Read MoreThis weekend in LA: Holiday Open House at the Pasadena Museum of History
Pasadena Museum of History Holiday Open House Sunday 12/9 1:00 – 4:00 pm. The perfect Cultural Cocktail of Music, Visual Treats, and a Family Craft in a Beaux-Arts style Pasadena Cultural Heritage landmark. Performances by the Ad Hoc Consort throughout the afternoon. The costumed musicians will perform on a variety period instruments including the Viola…
Read MoreAutumnal Splendor in Southern California
“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” – Albert Camus (at the Garden of Flowing Fragrance, Huntington) All Photography © 2018 Leticia Marie Sanchez
Read MoreRossini’s Risky Business
“Please don’t throw me out the window!! I’m a MAESTRO!” Does Procrastination lead to Defenestration? Professor Robert Greenberg, in a wonderful lecture for the Teaching Company, read a letter in which opera composer Gioachino Rossini (nicknamed “The Italian Mozart”) confessed his last minute habits. According to Rossini: “Wait until the evening before opening night- nothing primes inspiration more than necessity! Whether…
Read More“Maria By Callas”- A MUST SEE FILM
“Maria By Callas: In Her Own Words”- A MUST SEE FILM by Leticia Marie Sanchez Directed by Tom Volf, “Maria by Callas,” offers a sublime, moving portrait of a legendary opera singer using never-before-seen footage. The film dispels the notion that Callas reigned as a diva, revealing instead the grace, poise, and self-restraint she showed while…
Read MoreThe Key of D Minor? Vitamin D deficiency may have contributed to Mozart’s death
According to an article in Live Science, the lack of sunlight-induced Vitamin D may have contributed to Mozart’s young demise. The authors of the study surmise that the Vitamin D deficiency could have made the composer more susceptible to a plethora of infections during the winter. According to the authors of the study, “Mozart did much of his composing at night,…
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