Today’s audiences prefer and expect their favorite performers to use amplified sound systems. Classical music aficionados, however, prefer hearing their music without electronic amplification. We want our music Raw, Unadulterated, Pure. Therefore, concert halls with superb acoustics become an important consideration.
The Los Angeles Opera has its home at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion where acoustics are average, at best. If you get tickets for the back orchestra rows in the main hall, the singers’ sound is dampened by overhanging balconies. Across the street is the Walt Disney Concert Hall (designed for perfect delivery of sound no matter where you sit), home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic with Gustavo Dudamel.
In past seasons, the LA Opera under the Direction of Placido Domingo, has invited sensationally gifted opera singers within a wonderful list of operas. However, it's often been a gamble if the directors, designers and overall productions can match up.
The LA Opera Administration (like other Opera Houses today) sometimes brings in directors and designers chosen not for their love and expertise in operas, but for their ability to shock audiences with distorted versions of classic masterpieces. Instead of being moved by tales of love, betrayal, and passions, opera audiences frequently endure productions where brilliantly gifted singer/actors play out the neurotic fantasies of the director’s own minds. Fortunately, there isn't too much of that this season.
Still, if time and money are a consideration, I’d look at what’s playing at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Concert goers can experience perfect acoustics and focus on great performers delivering Pure, Raw, Unadulterated Magic. (Now, let’s see what LA Phil and Dudamel do with a concert version of Mozart’s great opera, “Don Giovanni” in May, 2012).
