Musical menageries
CalPhil and the Pasadena Symphony offer dynamic weekend diversions
By Carl Kozlowski 07/08/2010
Few things are more relaxing than listening to a great orchestra under a summer night sky. And there are few ensembles anywhere that sound as good as the California Philharmonic, especially when it’s performing as part of the immensely popular Concerts on the Green series.
On Saturday, CalPhil will be sweeping attendees’ imaginations across two of the most glamorous cities in the world when it performs its specially themed show, “Theatre’s Best — From London to Rome,” featuring selections from popular musicals such as “Phantom of the Opera” and “Evita,” as well as the aria “Nessun Dorma” from the opera “La Traviata.”
Then on Sunday, the Pasadena Symphony Orchestra is hosting one of its monthly Musical Circus events — themed “New York, New York” — for free from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Americana at Brand in Glendale. Perfect for kids ages 3 to 8, the circus serves as a “musical petting zoo” in which kids can play flutes, trumpets, violins, cellos and percussion instruments to their heart’s content.
Among the selections at Saturday night’s CalPhil concert are four songs from “Phantom”: “All I Ask,” “Music of the Night,” “Masquerade” and the play’s “Overture.” In addition, it will feature Tosca’s “Visi d’Arte”, Nabucco’s “Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves” and Rigoletto’s “La Donna E Mobile,” as well as two favorite songs from “Jesus Christ Superstar.”
CalPhil will also be offering a night of musical magic on Saturday, July 24, when it performs the show “John Williams & Friends,” featuring the classic scores of the legendary film composer’s work in films including “E.T.,” “Superman” and “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” as well as other bombastic favorites of other composers including Wagner’s “Ride of the Valkyries.”
CalPhil performs “Theatre’s Best — From London to Rome” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday as part of the Concerts on the Green at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Gardens, 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia.
Table seating is sold out, but there are plenty of single seats available for $25 apiece, and lawn seating is $20 per person. Call (626) 300-8200 or visit calphil.org.
The Pasadena Symphony Orchestra’s Musical Circus runs from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday at the Americana at Brand, 899 Americana Way, Glendale. Admission is free. Call (626) 793-7172 or visit pasadenasymphony-pops.org.
DIGG | del.icio.us | REDDIT