James Conlon conducts two performances for families on March 19 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels
(Los Angeles) February 23, 2022 — On March 19, LA Opera will present two performances of Carla Lucero's The Three Women of Jerusalem (Las tres mujeres de Jerusalén), conducted by Music Director James Conlon and performed by a cast of hundreds in a monumental staging at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. More than 100 additional cast members will join in virtually from around the world, through pre-recorded performances projected onto large screens inside the Cathedral.
Carla Lucero is both composer and librettist of the newly commissioned, family-friendly opera, which will be directed by Eli Villanueva. Performers will include amateur singers and instrumentalists of all ages from the greater Los Angeles community, along with LA Opera's professional soloists and members of the LA Opera Orchestra.
Presented free of charge as a gift to Los Angeles families, the performances will take place at 3pm and 6:30pm. The Cathedral is located at 555 West Temple Street, Los Angeles CA 90012.
Sung in Spanish with projected English translation, The Three Women of Jerusalem is based on the Passion narrative of the Eighth Station of the Cross, depicting the women who weep for Jesus as He is forced toward the crucifixion. The opera imagines what these unnamed women were like, showing the experiences of ordinary people sharing their compassion when confronted with evil.
Since 2007, LA Opera has opened its stage doors to all aspiring performers in the Los Angeles community—including singers, dancers and musicians—to perform along with professionals in those fields in a fully-staged opera. The Cathedral at Our Lady of the Angels has generously donated their facility for the program's use since its inception. Participation isn't limited to the hundreds of performers on the stage; the entire audience is also encouraged to join in the fun by singing along. While this year's opera is drawn from the New Testament, its themes of compassion and community are universal, and people of all beliefs and backgrounds are encouraged to participate and attend.
Admission is free, but advance tickets are required. Tickets are only available online at LAOpera.org/ThreeWomen. There is a $1 handling fee per order and a four-ticket limit per household, subject to availability. Vaccination is required for entrance; please see additional information below.
The Three Women of Jerusalem will be the first opera in The Song of Los Angeles, a five-opera cycle of community opera performances around the county leading up to the Olympic celebrations in Los Angeles in 2028. The next production in the cycle will be On Gold Mountain by Nathan Wang and Lisa See, opening on May 5 at The Huntington.
More information is available at LAOpera.org/ThreeWomen.
Vaccination PolicyProof of full vaccination, including boosters if eligible, against COVID-19 is required for all adults and children attending all indoor performances and events at LA Opera. Audience members may display proof of vaccine on a smartphone or by showing a physical copy of their vaccination card or official vaccination record, along with a government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license or passport. Guests younger than 18 may present a school photo ID. In order to be considered fully vaccinated, audience members must confirm that either 14 days have passed since receiving the second dose of FDA or WHO authorized double-dose vaccines or that 14 days have passed since receiving the sole dose of FDA or WHO authorized single-dose vaccines. Additionally, audience members must confirm receiving an FDA or WHO authorized COVID-19 booster dose at the point of becoming eligible per CDC guidelines.
For this production, attendees must have received their final doses no later than Saturday, March 5.
Children under 12 and those who are unvaccinated due to a medical or religious reason must provide proof of a negative PCR COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours prior to attending, along with government issued ID. Rapid or antigen tests will not be accepted.
Multi-layer masks will be required at all times in all indoor spaces at the Cathedral. Examples of a multi-layer mask include standard surgical masks, as well as KF94, KN94, KN95, N99, N100, P95, P99, P100, R95, R99, and R100 models. If you are wearing a cloth mask, it must have at least two layers of fabric, or you can double up on single-layer masks. If your current mask is not deemed appropriate, an alternate mask will be provided upon entry.
About LA OperaLos Angeles is a city of enormous diversity and creativity, and LA Opera is dedicated to reflecting that vibrancy by redefining what opera can be. Through imaginative new productions, world premiere commissions, and inventive performances that preserve foundational works while making them feel fresh and compelling, LA Opera has become one of America’s most exciting and ambitious opera companies.
In addition to its mainstage performances at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, the company explores unusual repertoire each season through the LA Opera Off Grand initiative, featuring performances in a variety of venues throughout Los Angeles. The LA Opera Connects initiative, which offers a robust variety of educational programming and community engagement offerings, reaches people throughout every corner of Los Angeles County. Learn more at LAOpera.org.
LA Opera Media Contact
Luz Villarreal
Director of Communications
lvillarreal@laopera.org
213.972.7554
Production made possible with a generous grant from the Dan Murphy Foundation.
Special support also received from the City of Los Angeles, Department of Cultural Affairs; Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture; and Mrs. Joseph A. Saunders.
LA Opera is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the greater Los Angeles community.
