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  • ZUBIN MEHTA RETURNS TO WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL TO LEAD LOS ANGELES PHILHARMONIC IN BEETHOVEN’S NINTH SYMPHONY
  • Jan. 8, 2004
  • Soprano Christine Brewer, Mezzo-Soprano Nancy Maultsby,
    Tenor Robert Dean Smith and Bass-Baritone Albert Dohmen Featured

    THURSDAY, FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, JANUARY 8, 9 AND 10, AT 8 PM

    SUNDAY, JANUARY 11, AT 2 PM

    January 8 sponsored by Citigroup

    January 9 sponsored by Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts

    January 10 dedicated to the W.M. Keck Foundation

    Acclaimed conductor Zubin Mehta returns to Los Angeles to conduct the Los Angeles Philharmonic in Beethoven's musical triumph, his Symphony No. 9, on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, January 8, 9, and 10 at 8 p.m., and on Sunday, January 11 at 2 p.m. The performance at Walt Disney Concert Hall features soprano Christine Brewer, mezzo-soprano Nancy Maultsby, tenor Robert Dean Smith, bass-baritone Albert Dohmen, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic Community Chorus.

    Upbeat Live pre-concert events take place one hour prior to each concert in BP Hall at Walt Disney Concert Hall, and are free to all ticket holders. Alan Chapman, host and producer of The Morning Show on KUSC radio, hosts.

    When Beethoven's Ninth Symphony premiered in 1824, it broke new ground by including voices in a symphonic work. Today this masterpiece is recognized as one of the great musical achievements, having been used countless times to underscore momentous occasions such as the fall of the Berlin Wall. The unique choral finale includes the "Ode to Joy. "

    Mehta served as Music Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic from 1962 to 1978, during which time he amassed a large discography, took the Philharmonic on tours throughout the U.S., Europe, and Asia, and developed a strong connection to the Southern California community. He last performed at Walt Disney Concert Hall with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra in December, 2003.

    American soprano CHRISTINE BREWER's appearances in opera, concert and recital are marked with her own unique timbre combined with a vibrant personality and emotional honesty. Brewer's repertoire encompasses the works of Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, Verdi, Strauss, Mahler, Janácek, and Britten and she regularly performs with many of the world's leading orchestras. Brewer is a versatile performer, comfortable on the opera stage, in recital, or under the baton of such conductors including Kurt Masur, Robert Shaw, Pierre Boulez, Michael Tilson Thomas, Christoph von Dohnányi, Sir Charles Mackerras, Sir Neville Marriner, Leonard Slatkin, and Charles Dutoit.

    German bass-baritone ALBERT DOHMEN already looks back on many years of an international career. One highlight was his portrayal of the title role in Wozzeck at the Salzburg Festival 1997 with the Berlin and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Claudio Abbado, directed by Peter Stein. Dohmen is especially recognized as one of the leading interpreters of Wotan in the Wagner Cycle. He sang the part in complete Ring cycles in Trieste (1999 and 2000), in Geneva (1999, 2000, 2001), at the Deutsche Oper in Berlin, and at the Vienna Staatsoper (2003).

    American mezzo-soprano NANCY MAULTSBY is in demand by opera companies and orchestras throughout the world. Her thoughtful musicianship allows her to pursue an extensive repertoire including French and Italian opera together with the operas of Wagner and a wide range of symphonic works. Maultsby collaborates regularly with the world's leading orchestras and conductors. Her orchestral repertoire extends from the Baroque to the most important works of the twentieth century, and she has a particular interest in the works of Gustav Mahler. Among numerous other awards, she is the winner of the Marian Anderson Award and the Martin E. Segal Award.

    ZUBIN MEHTA currently holds the music directorships of the Bavarian State Opera in Munich and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. His long association with the Israel Philharmonic began in 1969, and in 1981 he was given a lifetime appointment with that orchestra. Mehta served as Music Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic from 1962 to 1978. In 1978, he became Music Director of the New York Philharmonic, a post he held for 13 years, longer than any director in that orchestra's history. Mehta's distinguished career includes guest conducting appearances at the world's major opera houses and concert halls. In addition, he has won renown as an international activist, utilizing musical performance as a forum to promote peace and harmony worldwide.

    Like many dramatic tenors, ROBERT DEAN SMITH began his career as a baritone and sang for several years in German opera houses. His excellent training and stage versatility allow him to sing a wide variety of operas in many different languages and styles. Since his spectacular debut at the Richard Wagner Bayreuth Festival 1997 as Walther von Stolzing in Die Meistersinger, Smith is singing in the world's leading opera houses and concert halls. He had the special honor of singing the tenor solo in Beethoven's Ninth Symphony for the 125th anniversary of the Bayreuth Festival in August 2001, conducted by Christian Thielemann.

    The LOS ANGELES PHILHARMONIC COMMUNITY CHORUS brings together local and community choruses from around Los Angeles, as the Los Angeles Philharmonic begins a new era with its move into Walt Disney Concert Hall. The chorus aims to strengthen the connection of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association to its community. The group also celebrates the spirit of Schiller's "Ode to Joy," with its dream of unity for mankind.

    EDITORS PLEASE NOTE:

    Thursday, January 8, 2004 at 8 p.m.

    Friday, January 9, 2004 at 8 p.m.

    Saturday, January 10, 2004 at 8 p.m.

    Sunday, January 11, 2004 at 2 p.m.


    Wall Disney Concert Hall

    111 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles

    LOS ANGELES PHILHARMONIC

    ZUBIN MEHTA, conductor

    CHRISTINE BREWER, soprano

    NANCY MAULTSBY, mezzo-soprano

    ROBERT DEAN SMITH, tenor

    ALBERT DOHMEN, bass-baritone

    LOS ANGELES PHILHARMONIC COMMUNITY CHORUS, prepared by William Hall

    BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 9

    January 8 sponsored by Citigroup

    January 9 sponsored by Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts

    January 10 dedicated to the W.M. Keck Foundation

    Upbeat Live pre-concert events take place one hour prior to each concert in BP Hall at Walt Disney Concert Hall, and are free to all ticket holders. Alan Chapman, host and producer of The Morning Show on KUSC radio, hosts.

    Tickets ($15 - $120) are on sale now at the Walt Disney Concert Hall box office, online at LAPhil.com, or via credit card phone order at 323.850.2000. When available, choral bench seats ($15), will be released for sale to selected Philharmonic, Colburn Celebrity Recital, and Baroque Variations performances beginning at noon on the Tuesday of the second week prior to the concert. A limited number of $10 rush tickets for seniors and full time students may be available at the Walt Disney Concert Hall Box Office two hours prior to the performance. Valid identification is required; one ticket per person; cash only. Groups of 12 or more may be eligible for special discounts for selected concerts and seating areas. For more information, please call 323.850.2000.

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  • Contact:

    Elizabeth Hinckley, 213.972.3034; Beth Norber, 213.972.3409