Chatting with Maestro Plácido Domingo

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[youtube id=”i-OsWkj8fKs”] by Sophie Gayot Those who know me know that I don’t really get intimidated. But last night when the time came to speak on camera with maestro Plácido Domingo, I was. The “King of Opera” had just finished conducting the world premiere of opera Dulce Rosa at The Broad Stage in Santa Monica. The two-act opera is based on Isabel Allende’s short story Una Venganza. Allende is known as “the world’s most widely read Spanish-language author,” and has been translated into more than 30 languages, with more than 56 million copies sold. She is the author of The House of the Spirits, among many more books. As I am not a music critic, I will leave that to the experts. But as a “good life” critic (and a classical music addict), I can assure you that the ears of every one of us in the audience were spoiled and over-satisfied. We literally spent five minutes applauding this brand-new production that was eleven years in the making. I was so carried away and enthused by my operatic experience that I wanted to meet the creators and cast members of Dulce Rosa. I got to talk to: – María Antúnez, the young soprano in the main role of Rosa; – Lee Holdridge, the composer; – Jenny Okun, the projection designer; – Richard Sparks, the librettist/director. These are totally impromptu conversations (and include the background noise of the happy crowd). If you are in Los Angeles, and are an opera aficionado, booking tickets is a must. You will discover the amazing voice of young soprano María Antúnez. Only six shows are scheduled: May 25, 28, June 3, 6 and 9. For more information, go to http://thebroadstage.com/Dulce-Rosa Dulce Rosa is the first production of the L.A. Opera Off Grand, an organization devoted to bringing new and eclectic operatic works to smaller stages (away from the home stage in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion at the Los Angeles Opera) to promote opera to a wider audience, including those who may not be able to afford the prices of big productions. You can click on each photo to enlarge. All photos by Sophie Gayot.