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In the prime of his singing career, as a tenor, Placido Domingo's signature role was Otello in Giuseppe Verdi's opera adaptation of the essential Shakespeare tragedy. These days, the LA Opera General Director sings as a baritone and is currently performing in the company's season-opening production of MacBeth, another Shakespearean adaptation by Verdi. And you can see it for free this Thursday night, October 13, at 7:30 p.m.
For the third season LA Opera is giving L.A.'s opera-curious a chance to check out one of its mainstage productions in a big-screen public simulcast of a live performance from the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. This year, for the first time, there are two locations to choose from: one in a park and one on the beach. Westsiders can head to the Santa Monica Pier; further south and west, there will also be a screening at the same time in South Gate Park. Bring your own blankets, cushions or lawn chairs, and show up two hours early to get the best spot.
We've seen this MacBeth production, and it is a hoot. Domingo always commands the greatest attention, but he's surrounded here by a motley spectacle featuring a whole chorus of quasi-feline witches, a row of baby cribs occupied by what look like little Star Wars jawas, and full human-size dancing fabricated King Friday XIII heads. A solid supporting cast includes Russian mezzo Ekaterina Semenchuk as Lady MacBeth, the always compelling Ildebrando D'Arcangelo as Banquo, Joshua Guerrerro as Macduff, Josh Wheeker as Malcolm, and the reliably excellent LA Opera chorus.
