Sunday, May 22, 2011

Daniel Catán

Opera. If you say the word to many folks they'll automatically respond that they don't like it. It doesn't seem very real. I can understand that. We all have our preferences when it come to art.
But often these are the same folks who will flock to see pirates in mascara, people chasing mummies, and/or 19th century ladies swooning in movies and in plays.

To appreciate opera takes the same sort of suspension of reality and the ability to absorb yourself in the mood and music of the moment.

Daniel Catán was a Mexican-born composer whose operas "Florencia en el Amazonas" and "Il Postino" were produced by L.A. Opera. His unexpected death shocked the world of opera. You can learn more about his life via the links below and there will be two programs where you can hear some of the beauty he created.

Today, Sunday, 4 p.m. May 22 concert at Occidental College's Thorne Hall, Santa Cecilia Orchestra will present music in honor of Catán, including Silvestre Revueltas’ "La Noche de los Mayas" (The Night of The Mayas). Tickets might, underline might, be available.

Tomorrow, Monday, 6 p.m., May 23, LA Opera will remember his life and legacy at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.
The program on Monday is free and open to the public.

Los Angeles Times
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2011/05/daniel-catán-honored-los-angeles-opera.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/12/arts/music/daniel-catan-composer-of-operas-in-spanish-dies-at-62.html
Photo: Catán at work during rehearsal for the world premiere of "Il Postino" at L.A. Opera last September. Credit: Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times

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