‘Killer Joe’s’ William Friedkin:  ‘I could have been a very violent person’ [VIDEO]

By Naomi Pfefferman
Published on August 2, 2012

Israeli understudy takes Carmen role on opening night at Masada

Published on June 12, 2012

An Israeli understudy for the role of Carmen, in the opera being performed at the foot of Masada, was thrust on stage opening night after the star lost her voice in the dry desert air.

Garcia Lorca’s art, death inspire genre-expanding opera

Published on May 23, 2012

When Federico Garcia Lorca was a child, long before his ascension to the heights of Spanish literary circles, he idolized his mother’s gift for playing the piano. The young Garcia Lorca studied piano, hoping that he shared some of his mother’s talent, but Garcia Lorca would never become an influential musician. It was through the pen that he found his voice. Nevertheless, Garcia Lorca’s first works, with titles like “Nocturne” and “Sonata,” drew heavily upon his musical background, and throughout his short life, his poetry and prose would reflect an obsession with music and rhythm, with Beethoven and Chopin. So it seems natural that nearly a century later, a man who was inspired by Garcia Lorca’s words would turn his life into music.

Culture with a side of popcorn

By Tom Teicholz
Published on April 11, 2012

When the hit comedy “One Man, Two Guvnors” comes to Broadway this spring, I’ll be able to say I saw the London production. I also saw the Metropolitan Opera’s new production of “Don Giovanni” with the Polish tenor Mariusz Kwiecien. As for bragging rights, it’s hard to match having seen David Hallberg’s debut with the Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow in “Sleeping Beauty.”All this, without ever leaving Los Angeles.

Michael Fassbender on “Shame,” sadism, playing a Jewish supervillain and why he’s not in therapy

By Naomi Pfefferman
Published on December 6, 2011

Annie Leibovitz, Ed Asner, Shelly Berman, Lainie Kazan and Elliot Gould

By Dikla Kadosh and Lilly Fowler
Published on November 13, 2008

Master of horror Cronenberg ‘Flies’ into opera

Published on August 27, 2008

Cronenberg will direct the United States premiere of the opera based on what is perhaps his best-known work: his 1986 remake of the 1958 film, "The Fly," which in turn was based on a 1957 George Langelaan short story.

Calendar Girls Picks and Clicks August 23 - 29: Benny Goodman, opera, magic and more

By Dikla Kadosh and Danielle Berrin
Published on August 22, 2008

This may be your only chance to help a budding filmmaker out and see "The Impossible Itself."

Calendar Girls Picks and Clicks August 9-15: Tisha B'Av, music, opera, comedy and Brad A. Greenberg

By Dikla Kadosh and Danielle Berrin
Published on August 7, 2008

There's nothing like a heated, intelligent political debate to get Jews' social synapses firing. Jewish Journal staff writer, Brad Greenberg, a.k.a. The God Blogger, will be holding the reins of "The Young Jewish Vote," where Republican Jewish Coalition Director Larry Greenfield will face Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Pasadena) in a battle to win the hearts and educated minds of young Jewish professionals between the ages of 21 and 39

Spring Calendar

Published on March 13, 2008

Spring arts calender.

Mitisek and Co. expand boundaries of opera with puppets, poetry and ‘Frankenstein!!’

By Rick Schultz
Published on March 13, 2008

Critics have called the Long Beach Opera (LBO) "daring," "unconventional" and "innovative." While all those are accurate, another word that perhaps better describes the company is "playful."

Opera: Restoring Nazi-suppressed ‘Recovered Voices’

By Naomi Pfefferman
Published on February 14, 2008

When James Conlon premiered the "Recovered Voices" program at Los Angeles Opera last year, the Los Angeles Times noted the "evangelical zeal" with which he conducted works that had been suppressed by the Nazis -- Conlon's musical mission since discovering the vast (and largely forgotten) repertoire in the 1990s. "We presented the work of seven composers to offer a glimpse of the immensity and the variety of the music -- and we had a standing ovation even at intermission," Conlon said between rehearsals for the next "Voices" concerts, which will be performed Feb. 17 through March 8.

Stark locations make perfect sets for ‘Anne Frank’ opera production

By David Mermelstein
Published on April 12, 2007

Now Long Beach Opera, a company known for its daring repertory and unconventional interpretations, is presenting the West Coast premiere of "The Diary of Anne Frank," with three performances, from April 17 to 21 at Sinai Temple in Los Angeles and at Lincoln Park in Long Beach. (Congregation Kol Ami in West Hollywood will also present a semistaged performance on Yom HaShoah, April 15.)

Museum-hopping in Madrid, sans ham

By Hilary Larson
Published on October 19, 2006

What is the best museum town in the world?

Paris comes to mind, as does New York.

But as a certified art museum lover, I put my money on Madrid.

Rising Singing Star Pitches New Sound

By David Mermelstein
Published on June 1, 2006

Hila Plitmann is building a career based largely on new music by composers like David Del Tredici, John Corigliano, Roger Reynolds and Esa-Pekka Salonen, the latter the longtime music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and something of a Plitmann champion.

7 Days in The Arts

By Keren Engelberg
Published on April 20, 2006

7 Days in the Arts

Spectator - A Night at the Hebraic Opera

By Amy Klein
Published on February 9, 2006

"The Imaginary Invalid" is Dinur's first project for her new organization, The Jewish-Hebrew Stage. Together with Yoram Najum The Jewish-Hebrew Stage plans to bring Hebrew and Israeli theater to Los Angeles, as well as teach Hebrew through drama.

7 Days in The Arts

By Keren Engelberg
Published on February 2, 2006

Saturday, February 4

It’s the year of the gay cowboy, so why not the privileged lesbian? Head to the Geffen Playhouse for the Los Angeles premiere of David Mamet’s, “Boston Marriage,” titled after the Victorian euphemism used to describe a long-term, intimate relationship between two unmarried women. The play about two upper-class women involved thusly is also directed by Mamet and stars Rebecca Pidgeon, Alicia Silverstone and Mary Steenburgen.

Through March 12. $35-$69. 10886 Le Conte Ave., Westwood. (310) 208-5454.
Sunday, February 5

Israeli musician Ehud Banai comes to the Avalon Hollywood. Hear songs from the folk/rock/traditional songwriter’s album, “Answer Me,” which won Best Album of the Year at the 2004 Israeli Music Awards, and other favorites tonight only.

9 p.m. $45. 1735 Vine St., Hollywood. (323) 462-8900. www.groovetickets.com.

Vienna Glories in Past and Present

By Carvin Knowles
Published on January 19, 2006

The best way to discover Mozart here might be a night at the Vienna Opera. I was lucky enough to attend a performance of "The Magic Flute" during my visit, which was sponsored by Austria Tourism. This was classical Mozart through and through in terms of the music, but the performance was strikingly modern.

7 Days in the Arts

By Keren Engelberg
Published on January 27, 2005

7 Days in the Arts

‘Aida’ Not So Tragic for Israeli Maestro

By Tom Tugend
Published on January 27, 2005

Dan Ettinger looks nothing like the popular image of a classical conductor. The Israeli is making his American debut with the Los Angeles Opera in Verdi's "Aida."

7 Days in the Arts

By Keren Engelberg
Published on January 20, 2005

Fine-print dealers from across the country convene at LACMA this weekend for Los Angeles Print Fair 2005.

Shoah-Era Opera an Allegory of Victory

By Gaby Wenig
Published on December 4, 2003

Today, "Brundibar" is experiencing a revival of sorts. It is the title and story of a new children's book written by Tony Kushner, with illustrations by Maurice Sendak (Hyperion Books for Children), and this weekend, the Jewish Community Foundation and the Dwight Stuart Youth Foundation sponsored Youth Opera Camp of Santa Monica College Conservatory will be performing the opera at the Miles Memorial Playhouse and Simon Wiesenthal Center.

Orthodox Mother Opens New Opera

By Ellen Jaffe-Gill
Published on September 4, 2003

File under Incongruities, Major: One of the latest luminaries in the world of grand opera is an Orthodox mother of four from Brooklyn.

Beyond ‘Avinu Malkeinu’

By Ellen Jaffe-Gill
Published on April 10, 2003

To most people, "Jewish music" is something familiar: the
"Avinu Malkeinu" they hear every Rosh Hashana, a Yiddish lullaby or the theme
from "Schindler's List."

Jewish Drama Abounds

By Naomi Pfefferman
Published on May 31, 2001

In the last weeks of spring, Jewish-themed theater is busting out all over Los Angeles:

Musical Gift

By Beverly Gray
Published on January 11, 2001

Anya Karlin has been fascinated with opera since the age of 4, when she was invited to join the cast of "Madame Butterfly." At 10, while performing in a Chanukah concert, she discovered the joys of singing in Yiddish.

Mideast

By Eric Silver
Published on July 2, 1998

Richard Strauss's opera "Salome" had its Israelipremière in Tel Aviv this month. Strauss, who died in 1949,served, however briefly, as a cultural official in Adolf Hitler's Nazi administration. The season, by the visiting Kirov Opera from St.Petersburg, was an unchallenged hit. Strauss has been forgiven,perhaps because he had a Jewish daughter-in-law and soon learned thefolly of his ways.

From Operaman to Leading Man

By Naomi Pfefferman
Published on February 12, 1998

In 'The Wedding Singer,' Adam Sandlerproves he can carry a tune and a movie.

Honor Thy Father

By Naomi Pfefferman
Published on November 20, 1997

Yvonne Sylva Maritza Josephine Kálmán, sixtyish,blond and glamorous, is named for all her father's favorite operettaheroines. So perhaps not surprisingly, she has dedicated much of herlife to seeing that her father's operettas have been performed allover the world.