It was HOT in Southern California this weekend. I kept telling myself I shouldn’t complain since I survived worse heat and humidity in South East Asia, but I complained nonetheless. Partly, because my apartment is on the top floor, AC prohibited, and my apartment reaches 94 degrees during these hot spells. But I was able to escape the heat if only for a few hours with a new experience and a new adventure. This weekend took me to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion at the Los Angeles Music Center and my very first Opera, Tosca.

I’ve been to the Los Angeles Music Center numerous times for various plays at the Ahmanson Theater and the Mark Taper Forum, but I had not been to the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion. Those of you that know me, know that I love Musical Theater so its a wonder that I’ve never been to an opera. One of the things that kept me from opera was the fact that most are in Italian or German and I figured if I didn’t speak the language I wouldn’t really understand what was going on.

I did not realize that, at least at this Opera House, the English translation is superscripted above the stage! It was like watching a foreign film!

The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion is one of the halls in the Los Angeles Music Center (which is one of the three largest performing arts centers in the United States). The Music Center's other halls include the Mark Taper Forum, Ahmanson Theatre, and Walt Disney Concert Hall.

The Pavilion is an impressive building with its 3,197 seats spread over four elegant tiers, its chandeliers, its wide curving stairways and its rich décor. The auditorium's sections are the Orchestra (divided in Premiere Orchestra, Center Orchestra, Main Orchestra and Orchestra Ring), Circle (divided in Grand Circle and Founders Circle), Loge (divide in Front Loge and Rear Loge), as well as Balcony (divided in Front Balcony and Rear Balcony).

Construction started on March 9, 1962, and it was dedicated September 27, 1964. The Pavilion was named for Dorothy Buffum Chandler who “led (the) effort to build a suitable home for the Los Angeles Philharmonic and rejuvenate the performing arts in Los Angeles. The result was Mrs. Chandler’s crowning achievement, the Music Center of Los Angeles County.

In order to receive approval for construction from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Mrs. Chandler promised Kenneth Hahn that the building would be open free for the public for one day a year. The result was the Los Angeles County Holiday Celebration, a Christmas Eve tradition sponsored the Board of Supervisors. The program is broadcast on KCET-TV and an edited version of the prior year's show is syndicated to public television stations via PBS

The opening concert was held on December 6, 1964 with Zubin Mehta conducting the Los Angeles Philharmonic with soloist Jascha Heifetz. The program included Fanfare by Richard Strauss, American Festival Overture by William Schuman, Roman Festivals by Ottorino Respighi, Beethoven's Violin Concerto.

The Los Angeles Master Chorale, under Music Director Roger Wagner, was the other founding resident company at the Pavilion. Before creation of the Los Angeles Opera company, the New York City Opera came regularly on tour and performed in the Pavilion. One such tour, in 1967, consisted of two performances of Madame Butterfly, one of La Traviata, and two of Ginastera's Don Rodrigo, each with Plácido Domingo singing the main tenor role.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences held its annual Academy Awards in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion from 1969 to 1987 and, according to the Academy's web site showing the locations of all Awards ceremonies, again from 1990 to 1994, in 1996, and, finally, in 1999.

Since the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Los Angeles Master Chorale have moved to the newly-constructed and adjacent Disney Hall which opened in October 2003, the Pavilion is home of the Los Angeles Opera and the Music Center Dance.

The Los Angeles Opera company, which made its debut in 1986 with a production of Verdi's Otello starring Plácido Domingo, traces its roots back to the Los Angeles Civic Grand Opera, which was formed in 1948. It presented staged productions through the 1950s. Shortly after its third production at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, the company abandoned its own production projects and recreated itself as the Music Center Opera Association by bringing opera from other cities to the Music Center, notably the New York City Opera. The NYCO brought productions to Los Angeles every fall from 1966 to 1982.

In 1984, the Music Center Opera Association hired Peter Hemmings and gave him the task of creating a local opera company which would once again present its own productions. This led to the forming of the Los Angeles Opera.

Since its inception, Los Angeles Opera has served nearly one million students, senior citizens, and other audiences through its internationally recognized Education and Community Programs. The Company also presents free dress rehearsals of select operas for such groups as low-income seniors and Los Angeles County schoolchildren. Los Angeles Opera's participatory In-School Opera Program, which serves as a national model, brings Company artists into area schools to work with students from elementary through high school levels producing performances as well as providing an opportunity for students to learn about opera. Teachers of all grade levels are also invited to learn about opera through a special year-long seminar series.

Support groups such as Hispanics for Los Angeles Opera, African-Americans for Los Angeles Opera and the Opera League of Los Angeles seek to increase involvement in, and attendance at, Los Angeles Opera performances and special events.

The Opera which I saw last night was Puccini’s Tosca which I thoroughly enjoyed. It was dark, tragic, and bittersweet….all of the things which I love and make for good theater! I was especially taken back by the aria sung by Tosca…not only was the music enchanting but the lyrics were moving poetry.

Prior to each opera there is a lecture in the lobby which I found to be a great help in explain the history of the opera and the plot. This lecture is free to all ticket holders at each performance.

As is always the case, I love attending theatrical and artistic events…theater, opera, symphony! I enjoy getting ready and driving to downtown. I enjoy the glamour and glitz of the whole production, the lobby, the chandeliers, the lighting, and the décor. Going to out to the theater is truly a whole experience for me…not just the show, but the whole evening!