February 13, 2025 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Verdi Chorus: With Force

By Kyle Knoll

 

A classical music force to be reckoned with, Santa Monica’s Verdi Chorus will be celebrating its 35th anniversary with performances of its spring concert “The Force of Destiny” at First United Methodist Church in Santa Monica on April 28 and 29. In a display of excitement and celebration, the Verdi Chorus will be led through selections from “La forza del Destino”, “Nabucco” and “Die Fledermaus” by Founding Artistic Director Anne Marie Ketchum. Ketchum has been the group’s conductor since its inception in 1983 and is an internationally successful opera and chamber singer.

The concert will also feature performances by nationally-renowned guest soloists Shana Blake Hill, Karen Mushegain, Alex Boyer and Ben Lowe.

“When the Chorus was launched in 1983 at the Verdi Restaurant in Santa Monica, there was just no way of knowing what we would grow into,” Ketchum explained, adding that she chose the name of the spring concert as a testament to the choral group’s longevity.

The Chorus is a group of more than 50 amateur, semi-professional and professional singers who gather from a variety of professional and educational backgrounds to practice every Monday night under the tutelage of Ketchum. Ketchum said that she is proud of being able to act as a conduit for young artists at the beginning of their careers, helping them gain access to the greater Los Angeles classical music community.

“We’ve not only outlived the restaurant where it all began; we have also become a force in the Los Angeles classical music community and are proud to be able to provide career development opportunities for young professional singers,” Ketchum said.

The concert’s soloists all have close personal ties to the Verdi Chorus community. Soprano Shana Blake Hill is returning safter having recently debuted as Rosalba with Cincinnati Opera’s production of “Florencia en el Amazonas” in a performance that Opera News called “floods of glorious sounds.” Baritone Ben Lowe, who received his Masters of Music locally at UCLA and is a regular fixture on the Royce Hall stage, is returning to the Verdi stage following a season performing operatic classics including Orff’s “Carmina Burana”, Dvorak’s “Stabat Mater” and Handel’s “Messiah”.

Mezzo Karen Mushegain and tenor Alex Boyer will make their guest debuts. Mushegain, an artist with a wide range of credits including performances on video game soundtracks, has performed as Suzuki in Puccini’s “Madame Butterfly” and as Aldonza in “Man of La Mancha.” Boyer, a New York native based in San Jose, joins the Chorus following a performance of Ruggero’s “Pagliacci” that the San Francisco Chronicle said “lacked nothing in the way of grit and vocal power.”

The Verdi Chorus will present The Force of Destiny Saturday, April 28 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 29 at 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, located at 1008 11th Street, Santa Monica CA 90403.

Tickets are available for purchase at verdichorus.org or by calling 800.838.3006. Priority seating is available for $40, while general admission tickets are $30. Discounted tickets are available for seniors and students aged 25 and under with a valid ID at $25 and $10, respectively.

The long-running chorus is warming up for a fabulous anniversary performance.
Photo: Verdi Chorus
Tags: , , , , , in News
Related Posts

Here are Your Last Minute Ideas if You Still Haven’t Planned Your Valentine’s Day Date

February 13, 2025

February 13, 2025

Luscious Cookies, Delightful Drinks, Full Dinners at Home or In House, We’ve Got Them Okay, maybe you have been a...

Beloved Baldwin Hills Family-Owned Restaurant Post & Beam to Close After 13 Years

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

Community Icon Shuts Doors as Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza Redevelopment  In yet another loss for the Los Angeles culinary community,...

Santa Monica Hotel Event Space Offers Affordability, Accessibility

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

Elevate Your Events with Versatile Venues and Exceptional Service Coastal stays and eclectic event spaces don’t have to be expensive....

Flour Pizzeria & Cafe to Bring Brooklyn-Style Pizza to Brentwood This Week

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

Family-Owned Favorite from the Palisades to Open on San Vicente  Flour Pizzeria & Cafe, a restaurant from Pacific Palisades run...

(Video) The Willows Students Bring a 50-Foot Dragon to Life Through Art and Teamwork

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

Kristy Acero, The Willows DK-4th Grade Art teacher, led her students in a large-scale, collaborative project, with each grade creating...

ART& 2025: NeueHouse Unveils Inspiring Lineup Celebrating Feminine Leadership

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

Four-Day Event in Venice Beach Explores Creativity, Activism, and Cultural Impact NeueHouse has unveiled the schedule for ART& 2025, a...

LA Attorney Who Represented Rodney King Sentenced to Prison for Tax Evasion Scheme

February 11, 2025

February 11, 2025

Milton C. Grimes Ordered To Serve Time in Prison and Pay Restitution Milton C. Grimes, a longtime Los Angeles attorney,...

Canned Tuna Pulled from Shelves Over Botulism Contamination Risk

February 11, 2025

February 11, 2025

El Segundo Seafood Company Issues Voluntary Recall Through FDA Tri-Union Seafoods has issued a voluntary recall of certain canned tuna...

Powerful Storm to Bring Heavy Rains, Possible Debris Flow to Los Angeles

February 11, 2025

February 11, 2025

Officials Warn of Risks, Urge Residents to Prepare for Severe Weather A Pacific storm system is expected to bring widespread...

Retailers Impose Egg Purchase Restrictions as Supply Chain Disruptions Cause Concern

February 10, 2025

February 10, 2025

Egg Limits Are Back – What’s Causing the Shortage? Retailers across the United States, including Costco and Trader Joe’s, have...

Donate Blood, Save Lives: Culver City Hosts Valentine’s Week Drive

February 10, 2025

February 10, 2025

Urgent Need for Donors as Red Cross Faces Critical Blood Shortages As Valentine’s Day approaches, the Culver City Police Department...

New Bill Targets Crime in Disaster Zones – Here’s What You Need to Know

February 10, 2025

February 10, 2025

Lawmakers Push for Tougher Penalties To Protect Vulnerable Communities California lawmakers have introduced a bipartisan bill aimed at cracking down...

What about are you protected from future wildfires?

February 9, 2025

February 9, 2025

Our hearts go out to all those impacted by the recent wildfires and Santa Ana windstorms in Southern California. We...

Actor Will Arnett Lists Stunning Beverly Hills-Area Home for $22.5 Million

February 9, 2025

February 9, 2025

Comedy Star’s Modern Farmhouse Features Custom Podcast Studio Actor and comedian Will Arnett is selling his modern farmhouse-style home near...

Shore Hotel Remains Sustainability Leader

February 9, 2025

February 9, 2025

By Susan Payne On track to open its new coastal-inspired restaurant, Shore Hotel has excited new offerings and initiatives this...