SoCal music & dance, Feb. 19-26: LA Opera, the Laguna Dance Festival, La Santa Cecilia and more
Classical, opera, jazz, folk, pop, rock, ballet, tap, flamenco, contemporary dance and more for LA & OC
Welcome to the latest TV or Not TV newsletter spotlighting live music and dance performances all around Southern California this coming week. I’m Matt Cooper, former listings coordinator for the LA Times’ Calendar section.
Classical & opera
‘Vicki Ray — Nacht und Träume’ The keyboardist is joined by guest soprano Elissa Johnston for pieces by Schubert, John Cage and Alban Berg plus new works by contemporary composers. 2220 Arts + Archives, 2220 Beverly Blvd., L.A. 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20. $15, $20. pianospheres.org
‘(un)American: The Oratorio’ A student choir created and performs this new work crafted with guidance from teaching artists as part of the Los Angeles Master Chorale’s Oratorio. Granada Hills Charter High School, 10535 Zelzah Ave., Granada Hills. 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21. Free. lamasterchorale.org
Beethoven & Shostakovich Pianist Alessio Bax joins guest conductor Andrew Litton and Pacific Symphony for Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3; program also includes Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5 and Charles Griffes’ “The White Peacock.” Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Feb. 22-24 (preview talk with Alan Chapman). $25-$225. (714) 755-5799. pacificsymphony.org
‘Mälkki Conducts Brahms’ Guest conductor Susanna Mälkki leads the Los Angeles Philharmonic in an all-Brahms program that includes the 19th century composer’s Academic Festival Overture and Piano Concerto No. 2 featuring pianist Daniil Trifonov. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23-25. $20-$229. (323) 850-2000. laphil.com
‘Highway 1, USA’ and ‘The Dwarf’ Los Angeles Opera pairs William Grant Still’s 1940s-era musical drama about a Black couple trying to make a better life for themselves (sung in English with English subtitles) with Alexander Zemlinsky’s tragic 1922 fable about a dwarf who is given as a birthday gift to a spoiled Spanish princess (in German with English subtitles); James Conlon conducts. Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, Feb. 24 and March 9; 2 p.m. Sundays, March 3 & 17; 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 6; 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 14. $29 and up. (213) 972-8001. LAOpera.org
‘Language of Love’ Pacific Chorale presents a night of romantic music by Morten Lauridsen, Adele, Elton John, et al. Cal State Fullerton’s Meng Concert Hall, 800 N. State College Drive, Fullerton, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24. $25-$80. (714) 662-2345. pacificchorale.org
Marc-André Hamelin The acclaimed pianist plays works by Beethoven, Schumann and Ravel. Soka Performing Arts Center, 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo. 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25. $40-$85; discounts available. soka.edu
Mt. Lowe Chamber Players The ensemble presents an intimate and interactive family concert for children for ages 3 years and up. Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa St., Altadena. 3 p.m Sunday, Feb 25. Free. mtlowechamberplayers.com
‘Fierce Beauty Part I & Part II’ After more than 20 years of spotlighting the best in classical and contemporary classical music, Jacaranda closes up shop with a pair of super-sized, Schoenberg-centric concerts that also feature works by Pierre Boulez, John Coltrane, Bach, Mahler and Richard Strauss and appearances by guest artists including pianist Steven Vanhauwaert, violinist Movses Pogossian and the Lyris Quartet. First Presbyterian Church, 1220 Second St., Santa Monica. 4 and 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25. $20, $45. (213) 483-0216. jacarandamusic.org
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