Latest news with #Rigoletto
San Francisco Chronicle
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
San Francisco Opera reaches new contract agreement with its orchestra
The San Francisco Opera and its orchestra reached a new agreement just before the close of its 2024-25 season, securing wage increases, enhanced retirement packages and updated healthcare benefits for the company's musicians. The two-year contract with the American Federation of Musicians, the union that represents more than 70,000 professional musicians in North America, was ratified by the orchestra on Thursday, June 26, the day before its first-ever Pride concert. The collective bargaining agreement spans Aug. 1, 2024 through July 31, 2026. 'We're happy to have reached this Agreement and are especially proud that our musicians, along with our healthcare consultant, identified and delivered major cost savings that will benefit the entire Company,' Gabe Young, chair of the orchestra's negotiating committee, said in a statement. 'We look forward to negotiating a longer-term contract in the coming years in collaboration with Opera leadership.' The Opera and its orchestra expect to begin negotiations on a multi-year contract during the next round of talks. The Opera's 2024-25 season opening gala last September was nearly disrupted by unresolved contract negotiations, but the orchestra musician and the company's management were able to reach a short-term agreement just before its performance of Verdi's 'Un Ballo in Maschera (A Masked Ball).' Prior to that, orchestra musicians had been without a contract since July 2024 and were ' deeply concerned ' about stalled discussions with Opera leadership. 'I am very grateful to both the musicians and the staff who worked with great commitment, care, and thoughtfulness to reach this new agreement,' Matthew Shilvock, the Opera's general director, said in a statement. 'We deeply value the extraordinary talents of the San Francisco Opera Orchestra and the transcendent music making they realize in both our theater and in the community.' With the new deal in place, the Opera is set to return to the War Memorial Opera House for its 2025-26 season with Verdi's 'Rigoletto' on Sept. 5. Across the street at Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco Symphony labor negotiations have remained tense, with musicians and choristers staging multiple protests over artistic direction, compensation, and financial transparency. Frustrations escalated ahead of the departure of Music Director Esa-Pekka Salonen, who cited disagreements with the board as his reason for stepping down. The Finnish conductor gave his final performance with the orchestra on June 14. Meanwhile, the San Francisco Ballet, who also performs at the War Memorial, reached a new three-year contract agreement with its orchestra at the start of June, seven months before its previous one was set to expire.
Los Angeles Times
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
‘I have no fear': L.A. Opera lovers attend shows in downtown L.A. despite protests
Hours before downtown Los Angeles headed into its sixth night under curfew orders imposed by L.A. Mayor Karen Bass, dozens of opera and theater fans funneled into the Music Center on Sunday afternoon to catch matinee performances of L.A. Opera's 'Rigoletto' and Center Theatre Group's 'Hamlet.' The shows took place just one day after thousands of 'No Kings' demonstrators flooded the streets to protest immigration raids across the city. Center Theatre Group had canceled its Wednesday night performance of director Robert O'Hara's world-premiere adaptation of 'Hamlet' before officials announced a curfew exemption on Thursday for ticket holders of indoor events and performing arts venues downtown such as the Music Center. Saturday's matinee and evening performances of 'Hamlet' were also canceled in anticipation of the protests. No performances of 'Rigoletto' were canceled and L.A. Opera's 'Renee Fleming and Friends' event took place on Saturday night. On Sunday afternoon, aside from a handful of police cars sprinkled throughout the area, there wasn't much of a law enforcement presence and no protests were happening, which made many attendees feel more relaxed about coming downtown. Ahead of the 'Rigoletto' show, we spoke to ticket holders about whether they hesitated about coming to the Music Center and downtown Los Angeles and how they feel about supporting the arts even in times of conflict. Their responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity. Why did you want to come to the show today? Pancake: I've never seen 'Rigoletto' live and I haven't been to the L.A. Opera even though I've been [in L.A.] since 1987. I've been to the Mark Taper and Ahmanson hundreds of times, but never to the opera. I'm here because my nephew turned 21 and even though he's a punk rock, heavy metal dude, he really likes the opera. I was going to bring him here for his birthday on Thursday, but he felt weird about coming down here. I have no fear. I'm old. I don't care anymore. I've lived through all the riots, strikes and protests. I'm gay. I've been marching since 1987 for a million different reasons, so I changed it to today because he was concerned about the curfew and then he still didn't come. So I brought Gabe, my good friend, who is also a theater guy. Acero: My father is a security guard at the Federal Building and I told him I was coming here, and he was like, 'Oh, that's closed.' And I'm going, 'No it's not. 1) That's only a nighttime thing. 2) That's changed. Ticketed events are still allowed because they want the arts to happen.' It's just funny that there's this dichotomy of like someone you'd think is in the thick of it and they don't even know what's going on in the area with rules and what's happening. Pancake: I was at the 'No Kings' rally all morning and afternoon yesterday and so I'm at the opera today. The L.A. Opera and the Music Center has done a really good job about sending emails and updating us about what was going on. How often do you come to downtown L.A.? Acero: I'm usually downtown at least every Friday. I go to Precinct all the time. Pancake: I'm down here often. I go to the theater. I'm an actor and I know a lot of actors. [Gabe] is a prosthetic makeup artist, so we are in the world of acting and theater. As an actor, nothing will stop me from doing theater and attending theater. Do you have any plans after the show? Pancake: I think we're going to go eat afterward. Why do you think it's important to support the arts, which are still trying to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hollywood strike and the recent wildfires? Pancake: To show them, the performers and the artists, that we're here for them. Then the flip side, it's like I appreciate it when people show up for my stuff, so it's a give and take and I'm happy to be a part of it. Acero: That's theater. You go there for a relief from the real world. It's sort of an escape. Why did you want to come to the show today? Asch: I love the opera. In our community, there was a bus organized to bring us up here, so we did it. I went to the protest yesterday. It was so exciting and we were all cheering and saying, 'No kings.' Block: We felt like this would not be in the area where there are a lot of protesters and that it would be perfectly safe to come on down. Why do you think it's important to support the arts? Asch: I think they lift your spirits. I mean even though this is a depressing opera, the music is thrilling and I know I'm going to shed a tear at the end. Block: We get tired of talking about politics and worrying about it, and this is an opportunity to get away from it. Are you doing anything after the show? Block: No [laughs]. We're getting on the bus to take us back home. Why did you want to come to the show today? I finished preaching a sermon, changed my clothes and then came down here for the show. I'm a social justice pastor, so basically when you bring me into your church, I'm going to talk about current events. The title of my sermon was 'This is God's world, we're just living in it.' Remember in 1865, we were looking for freedom and in 2025, we're still looking for it. I'm an avid opera goer. I feel that more people of color should go to the opera. They think that we're not included, but we are included, it's just that we have to show up. Also, I'm a big Verdi fan so anything Verdi writes, I'm going to go see it. Were you nervous about being in downtown L.A. amid the protests? You're talking to a man of faith. I didn't feel threatened coming downtown because I understood the cause. I think the people who are feeling threatened coming downtown are people who don't maybe agree with the cause. They're looking at too much CNN, and CNN is only [showing] what they want you to see. But no, I don't feel nervous in doing that. These people have a right to be out there. I don't believe in the violence part, but violence is gonna happen no matter what kind of protest. The American Revolution had violence. I felt that our current administration was overdoing it and I just passed by [some] Marines but there's nobody in the streets. Why did you want to come to the show today? Kelley: My husband conducted a performance of 'Rigoletto' about 15 years ago with an opera company in Chinatown. Hougesen: I wasn't worried. The L.A. Opera sends regular emails and they told us that we may want to take the 110 Freeway and the Temple Street exit. They also said if you don't feel comfortable, they would be happy to refund your money. So I wasn't afraid. I watch the TV news regularly and the [Los Angeles Police Department] was very good with crowd control yesterday, so I didn't think it was going to be a problem. Kelley: I had full trust that it was going to be OK. The 'No Kings' protest was yesterday, so I just figured especially if you arrive early enough, I figured it wouldn't be a problem. I hadn't heard of any of the protesters being on the ground at the Music Center.' Why do you think it's important to support the arts? Hougesen: Well, I have season tickets. I have for many years. I go to the L.A. Philharmonic and the L.A. Opera. Kelley: I think the arts are what keep a lot of people going. They uplift everybody. My late husband started an orchestra in 1965, the Palisades Symphony. He died about a year and a half ago, but the orchestra continues. It's an all-volunteer orchestra and I am still involved with it and I'm an active cellist. Also, some of those people lost their homes so it gives them a sense of continuity and friendship. Just playing music together is very very important to so many people. Why did you want to come to the show today? We just like to do things in the city. If anything sounds interesting, we'll go check it out. Were you nervous about being in downtown L.A. amid the protests? Not really and the freeway was clear when we came down so we weren't really concerned. How often do you come downtown? About once a month to visit the Ahmanson and the Mark Taper. I try to see whatever is playing. Are you planning to do anything after the show in the area? Our plan was to come early and enjoy the pavilion before the show. It's a school night. Why do you think it's important to support the arts? It's important to take a step back and pause, and get in tune with your emotions or experience something new and creative before you go back into the world because it might shift your perspective. It might change your mindset. So I think it's important, no matter what's going on in L.A., to support the arts. If we want an art scene here, we have to patronize it. Why did you want to come to the show today? Lass: We live in the mountains and were bored. We've both grown up in Southern California, and L.A. is not scary. You could be in a bad place at the wrong time, but that can happen anywhere. Roblee: They did cancel our brunch reservation though. When we were driving through, we saw some boarded-up buildings. Were you nervous about being in downtown L.A. amid the protests? Lass: A little bit just from seeing what was on the news, but it was not like I've seen in the past. I lived in Hawthorne during the riots, so if all the buildings aren't burning, everything is good. ... People want to fight for what's right. How often do you come downtown? Roblee: A couple times of year, mostly for activities. Why do you think it's important to support the arts even during times of strife? Roblee: The artists need to make a living and the theater has never been a place to get rich. It's important. It's culturally important and we enjoy it, so you have to support it. Take it away and life is boring. Why did you want to come to the show today? Kareem: We came to the opera last year and that was our first time, and we thought let's go again in the summer. We're teachers. Were you nervous about coming to downtown L.A. today? Amy: I didn't feel nervous today. I figured it was during the day. I was kind of curious to see the [freeway] off-ramps and all that stuff, but I wasn't nervous. Kareem: I was a little bit nervous because I'm the driver. As we got closer and into the city, I felt a little bit more relaxed. I didn't get nervous because I saw cars were moving, but I saw police cars lined up above the freeway and they had closed some off-ramps. But then as I kind of pulled off and I didn't see any activity, I felt more relaxed. We sat down. We ordered a beer. I feel like it was a little quiet when we got here. For me, it was like I have the tickets. Even going back to things that have happened in the past, like 9/11, you just kind of don't want to be roaming around in fear. I'm going to live my life and if I have to turn around for some reason, then I just turn around, but I'm going to move on and get things back to normal. The faster we do things without fear, the faster things can kind of move on. How often do you come to downtown? Kareem: A few times a year. Are you doing anything after the show? Kareem: We're doing a Father's Day dinner near our home. Why do you think it's important to support the arts? Amy: Our daughter is a senior in college and she's in the arts. She does musicals and theater, so it's kind of been a part of our family. And we've gone to shows at the Pantages and on Broadway, and we've just always enjoyed them. I know they work really hard and they don't make a lot, whether they're on stage or they are the stage crew. Kareem: In my family, it's kind of been like a way to bond every since we've been together through dating and marriage. My godfather's son grew up in the theater and still works as a professional in the arts and he's always working hard, so we try to support them. We don't know any of these people, but we enjoy it.
Los Angeles Times
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Downtown L.A.'s arts scene grapples with curfews and cancellations: L.A. arts and culture this weekend
Center Theatre Group temporarily canceled 'Hamlet' at Mark Taper Forum; the Los Angeles Philharmonic scuttled the final night of its Seoul Festival at Walt Disney Concert Hall; the Museum of Contemporary Art Los Angeles' Geffen Contemporary and the Broad museum are both closed through the weekend; and the Japanese American National Museum fenced off its pavilion to prevent further vandalism — these are just some of the immediate effects felt by downtown Los Angeles' many arts organizations as ICE protests, an ongoing curfew and the arrival of thousands of federal troops upend daily life in the city's civic core. (On Thursday, Los Angeles city officials carved out a curfew exemption for ticket holders of indoor events and performing arts venues downtown including the Music Center, paving the way for evening performances of Center Theatre Group's 'Hamlet' and Los Angeles Opera's 'Rigoletto.') The Trump administration says it will deploy 4,000 National Guard members and 700 Marines to L.A. to protect immigration agents and federal buildings at a reported cost of $134 million. On Tuesday, the state of California requested a temporary restraining order blocking the deployments, so it's anyone's guess as to how this will ultimately unfold. The uncertainty, including how long Mayor Karen Bass' 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew will remain in effect, has added to the pall over downtown L.A., where businesses and restaurants are also struggling with security issues and the many unknowns of the swiftly evolving crisis. On Wednesday, I reached out to many of downtown's arts leaders, and they all issued statements in support of Los Angeles and all of its inhabitants. 'As Los Angeles' largest theatre company, located in Downtown LA, we are heartbroken by the events unfolding around us and affecting so many in our beautiful and diverse city,' CTG said. 'Our mission is to be a home for everyone who calls themselves an Angeleno.' This is a sentiment that abounds throughout this proud city of immigrants, where many with friends or neighbors who are undocumented feel sorrow to see the violence and destruction. As losses mount for the arts in downtown L.A., it is worth noting that if you add the cost of President Trump's Saturday military parade in Washington, D.C. — estimated to be about $45 million — to the aforementioned price tag for sending troops to Southern California , the total is about $179 million. The National Endowment for the Arts, which Trump has proposed eliminating entirely, requested a $210.1 million budget for 2025, and millions in grants for arts groups have been clawed back this year under Elon Musk's DOGE. I'm arts and culture reporter Jessica Gelt, standing with my community in support of all its members. Here's this week's arts news. Academy screeningsThe Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences presents two very different films this weekend. On Friday, the North American premiere of a new 4K restoration of 1975 best picture winner, 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest,' starring Jack Nicholson, screens with supervising film editor Richard Chew and editor Lynzee Klingman joining screenwriter Larry Karaszewski to discuss the film. Then, the academy's Teen Movie Madness! series continues Saturday with a 25th anniversary screening of cheerleading cult fave 'Bring It On' in 35mm, preceded by a conversation with actor and artist Brandi Williams, who played Lafred in the film.'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest,' 7:30 p.m. Friday; 'Bring It On,' 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Academy Museum, David Geffen Theater, 6067 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. CinderellaLos Angeles Ballet closes out its 2024-25 season with this fairy tale classic featuring choreography by Edwaard Liang set to the music of Sergei Prokofiev. This reimagined version adds a modern sensibility, new twists, fantasy and humor to the story of a young woman, mistreated by her stepmother and stepsisters, who is transformed for a date with a prince by a fairy godmother.7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Dolby Theatre, 6801 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood. Renée Fleming & FriendsBroadway and opera come together as vocalists Tituss Burgess, Lindsay Mendez and Jessie Mueller join the legendary soprano for a one-night-only concert presented by L.A. Opera. When Fleming appeared in the musical 'Light in the Piazza' at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in 2019, Times theater critic Charles McNulty wrote that the singer 'delivers the goods in the show's climax … Sound and sense are at last joined, making the distinction between Broadway and opera irrelevant.' (The performance is still planned as originally scheduled. Please check with L.A. Opera for updates.)7:30 p.m. Friday. Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. Black Cowboys: An American StoryBeyoncé earned accolades (including her first best album Grammy) for 'Cowboy Carter,' bringing the iconography of the Black West to the mainstream. For those whose appetites have been whetted for more, this exhibition at the Autry Museum of the American West, conceived and organized by the Witte Museum in San Antonio, delivers a deep dive into that underreported slice of history. Tales of how Black men and women deployed their equestrian skills to great effect as they tamed and trained horses, tended livestock and embarked on cattle drives across the country come to life through historical and contemporary objects, photographs and personal recollections. The Autry's presentation also highlights Hollywood's influence on the Black cowboy image with movie memorabilia, including vintage film posters and the costumes used in the 2021 Netflix film 'The Harder They Fall.'Saturday through Jan. 4. Autry Museum of the American West, 4700 Western Heritage Way, Griffith Park. 'Broadway finally got its groove back. The 2024-25 season was the highest-grossing season on record and the second-highest in terms of attendance,' Times theater critic Charles McNulty writes in a column about last Sunday's Tony Awards. That resurgence could be attributed to the many high-powered film and television stars on New York stages including George Clooney, Kieran Culkin, Jake Gyllenhaal, Denzel Washington, Bob Odenkirk and Sarah Snook — but the real reason audiences flocked to live theater this season, McNulty concludes, was 'unadulterated theatrical fearlessness.' The Smithsonian Institution's standoff with President Trump took a new turn Monday evening when the Smithsonian issued a statement that could be read as a rejection of Trump's late-May firing of National Portrait Gallery director Kim Sajet. The Smithsonian said the organization's secretary, Lonnie G. Bunch, 'has the support of the Board of Regents in his authority and management of the Smithsonian,' after a lengthy meeting by the board. This seems to imply that, for now, Sajet isn't going anywhere. On Wednesday, the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., announced a major gift of modern and contemporary drawings from longtime museum supporters Lenore and Bernard Greenberg. The collection of more than 60 works of art includes pieces by Vija Celmins, Willem de Kooning, Alberto Giacometti, Jasper Johns, Ellsworth Kelly, Franz Kline, Brice Marden, Bruce Nauman, Susan Rothenberg, Ed Ruscha, Shahzia Sikander and Cy Twombly. 'Adrien Brody's art is horrendous. Why are some people pretending it isn't?' senior ARTnews editor Alex Greenberger argues in a pointed, sometimes hilarious takedown of the Oscar-winning star's paintings. 'Adrien Brody has received due attention for his acting abilities: his Oscar-winning performance in last year's film The Brutalist is the kind of work most actors would be lucky to pull off once in their lifetime. Last week, however, he started receiving undue attention for the hideous art he debuted in New York at Eden Gallery, which — based on its press coverage, anyway — is one of the most talked-about exhibitions of the summer,' the column begins. If you need a chuckle, it's worth reading in its entirety. Unlike his assessment of Broadway's season, Charles McNulty wasn't so positive about a recent L.A. theater offering. He did not enjoy director Robert O'Hara's world-premiere adaptation of 'Hamlet,' starring Patrick Ball from MAX's hit show 'The Pitt.' The new material places the story in a noir landscape in modern-day L.A. and features a second-act twist when a detective comes to investigate the play's bloodbath a la 'CSI.' 'O'Hara's audacious antics are stimulating at first, but there's not enough dramatic interest to sustain such a grueling journey,' McNulty writes. A massive Barbara Kruger mural titled 'Questions' on the side of MOCA's Geffen Contemporary began appearing in news broadcasts and social media posts across the country as ICE protests unfolded over the weekend. This proved prophetic, since the 1990 artwork is composed of a series of pointed questions that interrogate the very nature of power and control. Read all about it here. Pasadena Playhouse has announced its 2025-26 season, its first since buying back its historic 1925 building. Theater lovers can gear up for the shiny new Tony Award-winning best revival of a play, 'Eureka Day,' as well as Peter Shaffer's 'Amadeus,' a world-premiere adaptation of 'Brigadoon' and the novel two-person hip-hop musical, 'Mexodus.' — Jessica Gelt There is nothing more delectable — or truer to the diverse fabric of Los Angeles — than a good street taco. The Food team has pulled together a delicious list of 19 street vendors to support from the 101 Best Tacos guide.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Downtown L.A. curfew update: City carves out exemptions for L.A. Opera and the Mark Taper Forum
Los Angeles city officials on Thursday carved out a curfew exemption for ticket holders of indoor events and performing arts venues downtown including the Music Center, paving the way for evening performances of Center Theatre Group's "Hamlet" and Los Angeles Opera's "Rigoletto." The news comes as Mayor Karen Bass' 8 p.m.-to-6 a.m. curfew for the civic center area approaches its third night and arts organizations, restaurants and other businesses across the area report a drop in patrons. On Wednesday, Center Theatre Group canceled a second night of director Robert O'Hara's world-premiere adaptation of "Hamlet" at a cost of roughly $35,000 in ticket sales per night. That's in addition to what the company is spending on production expenses. "At this time, Center Theatre Group, the Music Center, and the surrounding streets have not been directly impacted by protest or law enforcement activity. Our staff and artists are already on site, and we look forward to seeing you," CTG wrote in a statement Thursday. Major protests are planned nationwide for Saturday, when Trump's 79th birthday coincides with the massive 250th anniversary military parade he is throwing in Washington, D.C., at a reported cost of $45 million. One of the so-called "No Kings" protests is scheduled to take place 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in front of City Hall, prompting Center Theatre Group to cancel its Saturday matinee and evening performances of "Hamlet." Other events scheduled for that day and night have been been postponed, including a show by the rock band Ozomatli that's part of the Grand Performances series at California Plaza, and a Metro Art event called Bollywood Express at Union Station. The Broad museum, adjacent to the Music Center, said it will close all weekend. "The safety and well-being of our visitors and staff continues to be our highest priority," the museum said in a statement. L.A. Opera, however, issued a mid-afternoon news release announcing the curfew exemption and noting that "Rigoletto," scheduled to run from 7:30 p.m. to about 10:30 p.m. Thursday, would go on as planned. The company also is moving forward with its Saturday "Renée Fleming and Friends" concert, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. "Attendees will need to leave the theater immediately afterward without lingering on the Music Center campus," the release said, adding that guests may need to prove their attendance at the show if stopped by law enforcement. "All ticket holders should have their tickets with them while in the area, either printed, digital or as a screen shot of the ticket." The release also says that people should avoid driving through downtown from the south, where much of the military activity is centered. A representative for L.A. Opera acknowledged that given the circumstances, ticket holders may choose not to show up. They will be allowed to exchange their tickets for one of the remaining performances June 15, 18 or 21; or they can request a refund from the box office. Get notified when the biggest stories in Hollywood, culture and entertainment go live. Sign up for L.A. Times entertainment alerts. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Downtown L.A. curfew update: City carves out exemptions for L.A. Opera and the Mark Taper Forum
Los Angeles city officials on Thursday carved out a curfew exemption for ticket holders of indoor events and performing arts venues downtown including the Music Center, paving the way for evening performances of Center Theatre Group's 'Hamlet' and Los Angeles Opera's 'Rigoletto.' The news comes as Mayor Karen Bass' 8 p.m.-to-6 a.m. curfew for the civic center area approaches its third night and arts organizations, restaurants and other businesses across the area report a drop in patrons. On Wednesday, Center Theatre Group canceled a second night of director Robert O'Hara's world-premiere adaptation of 'Hamlet' at a cost of roughly $35,000 in ticket sales per night. That's in addition to what the company is spending on production expenses. 'At this time, Center Theatre Group, the Music Center, and the surrounding streets have not been directly impacted by protest or law enforcement activity. Our staff and artists are already on site, and we look forward to seeing you,' CTG wrote in a statement Thursday. Major protests are planned nationwide for Saturday, when Trump's 79th birthday coincides with the massive 250th anniversary military parade he is throwing in Washington, D.C., at a reported cost of $45 million. One of the so-called 'No Kings' protests is scheduled to take place 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in front of City Hall, prompting Center Theatre Group to cancel its Saturday matinee and evening performances of 'Hamlet.' Other events scheduled for that day and night have been been postponed, including a show by the rock band Ozomatli that's part of the Grand Performances series at California Plaza, and a Metro Art event called Bollywood Express at Union Station. The Broad museum, adjacent to the Music Center, said it will close all weekend. 'The safety and well-being of our visitors and staff continues to be our highest priority,' the museum said in a statement. L.A. Opera, however, issued a mid-afternoon news release announcing the curfew exemption and noting that 'Rigoletto,' scheduled to run from 7:30 p.m. to about 10:30 p.m. Thursday, would go on as planned. The company also is moving forward with its Saturday 'Renée Fleming and Friends' concert, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. 'Attendees will need to leave the theater immediately afterward without lingering on the Music Center campus,' the release said, adding that guests may need to prove their attendance at the show if stopped by law enforcement. 'All ticket holders should have their tickets with them while in the area, either printed, digital or as a screen shot of the ticket.' The release also says that people should avoid driving through downtown from the south, where much of the military activity is centered. A representative for L.A. Opera acknowledged that given the circumstances, ticket holders may choose not to show up. They will be allowed to exchange their tickets for one of the remaining performances June 15, 18 or 21; or they can request a refund from the box office.
