The Los Angeles Master Chorale (LAMC), led by Artistic Director Grant Gershon, transforms Walt Disney Concert Hall into a festive banquet hall in the ancient Persian city of Persepolis for two immersive performances of eminent director Trevore Ross’s semi-staged production of Handel’s Alexander’s Feast, created for the LA Master Chorale to launch its multi-year “Hidden Handel” project on Saturday, April 16, 2 pm, and Sunday, April 17, 2016, 7 pm.
The “Hidden Handel” project comprises semi-staged/multimedia productions of five of the composer’s great but underrepresented oratorios performed in collaboration with some of the performing art world’s leading directors and artists. “There are many beautiful and brilliant choral works composed by Handel that are not called Messiah,” says Gershon, referring to Handel’s most famous oratorio that has been performed by the LA Master Chorale numerous times. “I’m very excited to introduce audiences to these incredible yet rarely performed masterworks. Alexander’s Feast will be the perfect starter in a series that explores Handel’s vivid imagination and understanding of human nature through ‘The Power of Music.’”
Alexander’s Feast celebrates music’s power and ability to elicit and manipulate emotions. The story follows Alexander the Great, having just conquered the ancient city of Persepolis, as he hosts a great banquet alongside his mistress Thais to celebrate their victory. Timotheus, a traveling musician, possesses an uncanny knack for arousing a full spectrum of emotions within Alexander and his guests through his music, ultimately persuading Alexander to burn down the city in revenge for the loss of his soldiers killed in battle. This prompts St. Cecilia, the patron saint of music herself, to descend to earth and calm the fury.
Tickets range from $29 – $129. Group rates are available. For tickets and information, please call (213) 972-7282, or visit www.lamc.org. Tickets can also be purchased in person in advance at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion Box Office (Mon-Sat, 10 am-6 pm) and at the Walt Disney Concert Hall Box Office on concert days starting 2 hours prior to the performance. The Walt Disney Concert Hall is located at 111 South Grand Avenue at First Street in downtown Los Angeles.
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