Posts by Culturalcocktailhour
Review: The Colburn Orchestra at Walt Disney Concert Hall
Dancing and playing into our hearts The Colburn Orchestra and Dance Academy at Walt Disney Concert Hall By Leticia Marie Sanchez On Friday evening, the Colburn Orchestra had the audience at the Walt Disney Concert Hall on the edge of their seats. It was a night celebrating the trajectory of of love, from the sweet lightness of the music…
Read MoreReview: “The Originalist” at the Pasadena Playhouse- A Must See Production
Sparring with Scalia Review: The Originalist at the Pasadena Playhouse by Leticia Marie Sanchez All photography ©2017 Leticia Marie Sanchez In Ancient Greece, theater played a central role in keeping citizens of the city-state politically informed. John Strand’s The Originalist, which is currently playing at the Pasadena Playhouse, harkens back to the days of civic-minded theater by delving into political…
Read MoreBehind the Scenes with Vittorio Grigòlo: Master Class with the superstar Tenor
Behind the Scenes with Vittorio Grigòlo: Master Class with the superstar Tenor By Leticia Marie Sanchez All photography ©2017 Leticia Marie Sanchez A master class with Vittorio Grigòlo offered an unexpected lesson in chemistry, conducting, and electricity. The charismatic opera star has been in Los Angeles where he stars as E.T.A Hoffman in LA Opera’s Tales of Hoffman. While…
Read MoreWagner, Robber,and the Flying Dutchman
Wagner, Robber, and the Flying Dutchman By Leticia Marie Sanchez Cultural Cocktail Hour® is a registered Trademark He not have been an actual thief, but Richard Wagner’s Newfoundland dog Robber successfully stole the composer’s heart. In Wagner Without Fear, author William Berger regales us with colorful tales from Wagner’s life, including his tumultuous journey from Riga to Paris. When the…
Read MoreSchoenberg to Strauss– Thanks but No Thanks
If you don’t have anything nice to say…. Richard Strauss’ caustic jabs about Viennese composer Arnold Schoenberg came back to haunt him. In his delightful Book of Musical Anecdotes, Norman Lebrecht reveals that when Schoenberg was asked to compose a piece for his sharp tongued critic, he wrote back as follows: “Dear Sir, I regret that I am unable to accept your…
Read MoreReview: Pittance Chamber Music
Pittance Chamber Music and the Chambers of the Heart By Leticia Marie Sanchez All photography ©2017 Leticia Marie Sanchez Chamber Music comprises music that can be played in a large room or chamber, or as denoted by the French “chambre.” This week’s concert by Pittance Chamber Music suggests a second meaning: music that penetrates the chamber of…
Read MoreBeethoven: In a Stew Over Beef?
by Leticia Marie Sanchez According to Norman Lebrecht, author of “The Book of Musical Anectodes” (Simon & Schuster, 1985), Beethoven flew off the handle when a waiter at the Viennese restaurant “The Swan,” brought him the wrong meat dish. Some artists are particular about their piano benches (Gould) while others are particular about their beef. An outraged Beethoven…
Read MoreMarch Highlight- Pittance Chamber Music- Free-Music Center Founder’s Room
A delightful Cultural Cocktail recipe: An infusion of R. Vaughan Williams+ a shot of Britten+ a dose of Korngold= a TOP PICK! And, it’s free! Sunday, March 26th 3 pm Pittance Chamber Music Presents Members of the L.A. OPERA ORCHESTRA with ARNOLD LIVINGSTON GEIS, tenor and PAUL FLOYD, piano Program: On Wenlock Edge, R. Vaughan Williams; Selected Folk Songs, Benjamin Britten; Sextet,…
Read MoreOutside of the Broad Museum…
All photography ©2017 Leticia Marie Sanchez “It is spring again. The earth is like a child that knows poems by heart.” – Rainer Maria Rilke
Read MoreSibelius and the Cigar Royalty
According to Katerine Bakeless, in her book “Story Lives of Great Composers,” Jean Sibelius received minor ducats for one of his most famous compositions, Valse Triste. The payment for his work? A small sum and a box of cigars. Meanwhile, Valse Triste went on to be performed internationally, over and over. Yet, Sibelius did not receive one dime of royalties…
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