OPEN HOUSE

Saturday, Nov. 5 9:30 am - 5:00 pm

LA Opera throws open the doors of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in celebration of our 25-year anniversary. The full day of fun activities for all ages includes performances created especially for small children and their families, two concerts of opera highlights conducted by Plácido Domingo (who will also sing!) and James Conlon, and behind-the-scenes tours and demonstrations. Some events require advance reservations, but everything is free and open to the public!

Please see the complete list of Open House events in order by time below:

Welcome Booths Main Lobby
Hosted by the Opera League of Los Angeles and Hispanics for Los Angeles Opera.
Scenery and Prop Display 3rd Floor Lobby (Grand Avenue side)
See how the designer's vision makes it to the stage through set models, designers' renderings and photos.
Costume and Wig Displays 3rd Floor Lobby (Hope Street side)
Regular clothes may make the man, but highly detailed costumes and wigs help singers make magic. Some of our best will be on display throughout the day.
LA Opera History Project 4th Floor Lobby
Share your LA Opera story. What was your first opera? Who are your favorite performers? Your reminiscences will be filmed as part of the permanent history of LA Opera.
All day	Historic Photo Gallery 4th Floor Lobby (Grand Avenue side)
A display of photos from the early years of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and LA Opera to the present day, including many behind-the-scenes photos.
9am to noon	KUSC's "The Opera Show" Main Lobby (Grand Avenue side)
Meet host Duff Murphy as he broadcasts his entertaining weekly program for the first-time live from the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Stop by and say hello to Duff and other on-air personalities from Classical KUSC 91.5 as he plays music and interviews LA Opera artists and other guests.
10:00am	The Prospector Eva and Marc Stern Grand Hall
Two performances of the 30-minute children's opera by composer Lee Holdridge and librettist Richard Sparks, inspired by Puccini's The Girl of the Golden West. The opera is geared toward children aged 4 to 10 and their families.
10:30am	Costume Presentation 3rd Floor Lobby (Hope Street side)
Head of Wardrobe Janine Allen will dress a mannequin in the Infanta's costume from Zemlinsky's The Dwarf (designed by Linda Cho), explaining all the underpinnings needed to create the look: corset, pantaloons, petticoats and, finally, the elaborate gown. Wigmaster Darren K. Jinks will also demonstrate how elaborate hair effects are created for the stage.
10:30am	Scenic, Prop and Sound Presentation 3rd Floor Lobby (Grand Avenue side)
Join Technical Director Jeff Kleeman and his staff for a 20-minute demonstration of the numerous complex scenic elements that transform the stage into a magical world. Our behind-the-scenes experts will explain how sets are built and reveal the secrets behind special effects like the steaming spaghetti pot from The Turk in Italy, Musetta's breakaway pottery from La Bohème, the "light sabers" from the Ring cycle, and the wind machine from The Barber of Seville and Rigoletto.
10:30am-2:45pm	Art Workshops for Children Eva and Marc Stern Grand Hall, Hope Street side
Two different hands-on art workshops will be offered to children ages 4 to 10. Using opera as inspiration, children can make their own opera-themed finger puppets or decorate a postcard to send to a loved one.
11:00am	Young Artist Concerts With Plácido Domingo and James Conlon Main Auditorium
Plácido Domingo and James Conlon conduct two concerts with the LA Opera Orchestra, featuring soloists from the Domingo-Thornton Young Artist Program as well as Mr. Domingo performing in excerpts from favorite operas. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to anticipated demand, advance passes (free) may be required to insure admission into the auditorium. There will be a live simulcast in the downstairs Green Room for overflow audiences.
11:45am	Sing Out Loud Founders Room
Sing Out Loud is a 30-minute, interactive introduction to opera for children and their families, featuring some of opera's "greatest hits." The performance is geared toward children aged 4 to 10 and their families. The Founders Room is located on the Hope Street side of the theater, one floor above the main level.
11:45am	Meet the Maestros Main Auditorium
What's it like to perform in the world's great opera houses? Find out in two post-concert Q&A sessions with Plácido Domingo and James Conlon.
12:45pm	Young Artist Concerts With Plácido Domingo and James Conlon Main Auditorium
Plácido Domingo and James Conlon conduct two concerts with the LA Opera Orchestra, featuring soloists from the Domingo-Thornton Young Artist Program as well as Mr. Domingo performing in excerpts from favorite operas. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to anticipated demand, advance passes (free) may be required to insure admission into the auditorium. There will be a live simulcast in the downstairs Green Room for overflow audiences.
1:30pm	Screening: La Damnation de Faust Downstairs Green Room
LA Opera's 2003 production of Berlioz's grand-scaled masterpiece, featuring Paul Groves, Samuel Ramey and Denyce Graves, in a one-of-a-kind staging by director Achim Freyer.
1:30pm	Sing Out Loud Founders Room
Sing Out Loud is a 30-minute, interactive introduction to opera for children and their families, featuring some of opera's "greatest hits." The performance is geared toward children aged 4 to 10 and their families. The Founders Room is located on the Hope Street side of the theater, one floor above the main level.
1:30pm	Meet the Maestros Main Auditorium
What's it like to perform in the world's great opera houses? Find out in two post-concert Q&A sessions with Plácido Domingo and James Conlon.
2:00pm	Meet the Artists South Lobby (Grand Avenue side)
Plácido Domingo and James Conlon will be available to autograph programs, CDs and DVDs. Items will be available for purchase in the main lobby's Opera Shop.
2:00pm	Backstage Tours	SOLD OUT
Take a closer look at the sets and costumes for Roméo et Juliette with 45-minute guided backstage tours. Tour groups are limited in size; advance passes may be required for admission.
3:00pm	The Prospector Eva and Marc Stern Grand Hall
Two performances of the 30-minute children's opera by composer Lee Holdridge and librettist Richard Sparks, inspired by Puccini's The Girl of the Golden West. The opera is geared toward children aged 4 to 10 and their families.
3:15pm	Backstage Tours	SOLD OUT
Take a closer look at the sets and costumes for Roméo et Juliette with 45-minute guided backstage tours. Tour groups are limited in size; advance passes may be required for admission.
3:30pm	Costume Presentation 3rd Floor Lobby (Hope Street side)
Get a 20-minute, up-close look at the elaborate costumes seen on our stage. Senior Draper John Bishop, using a mannequin and muslin, will illustrate how fabric is draped on a form to create costume shapes. Senior Craft Artisan Hallie Dufresne, who will demonstrate how special costume elements are constructed.
3:30pm	Scenic, Prop and Sound Presentation 3rd Floor Lobby (Grand Avenue side)
Join Technical Director Jeff Kleeman and his staff for a 20-minute demonstration of the numerous complex scenic elements that transform the stage into a magical world. Our behind-the-scenes experts will explain how sets are built and reveal the secrets behind special effects like the steaming spaghetti pot from The Turk in Italy, Musetta's breakaway pottery from La Bohème, the "light sabers" from the Ring cycle, and the wind machine from The Barber of Seville and Rigoletto.
4:00pm	Screening: La Traviata Downstairs Green Room
LA Opera's 2006 production of Verdi's beloved tragedy, starring Renée Fleming and Rolando Villazón, in a sumptuous production by Marta Domingo.