LA Opera Talks Dance April 17, 2011

What is L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato? The first-ever artistic collaboration with the Music Center, LA Opera and the Mark Morris Dance Group, for starters. Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the Mark Morris Dance Group performance of L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato at LA Opera will feature 24 dancers. Conductor Grant Gershon will lead the LA Opera Orchestra and Chorus as well as a quartet of world-class singers: sopranos Hei-Kyung Hong and Sarah Coburn, tenor Barry Banks and bass-baritone John Relyea. With George Frideric Handel's pastoral ode as the musical landscape, and set to the poetry of John Milton, along with sets inspired by William Blake's later watercolors, L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato is a true artistic feat sure to captivate.

“A work of genius…it fills the soul with wonder." - The New York Times

"As waves of running, leaping dancers breast the stage, arms wide in a flying embrace, they gather you up into the simple exhilarating joy of the moment. You never want it to stop." - Guardian.co.uk

At Crowell Public Library, community educator BOYD COOK will discuss Milton’s poetry, Handel’s score, and especially the choreography. Coming from a family of dancers, Mr. Cook should bring significant insight to this aspect of the production. Whether a fine arts aficionado or a curious novice, attendees will be delightfully entertained and encouraged to ask questions and offer comments.