Impressions of Pelléas | April 4

Tuesday, April 4, 2023 — 6:30 pm

Impressions of Pelléas with Pre-Performance talk by James Conlon

Based on an enchanting story about a love triangle and an elusive woman found in the forest, Impressions de Pelléas is an abbreviated version of Debussy’s original five-act opera, Pelléas and Mélisande, reimagined on a chamber scale for two pianists and five singers. Under the baton of world-renowned conductor and music director at LA Opera, James Conlon, and performed by artists from LA Opera’s Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program and the Colburn School, the story flows seamlessly across 100 minutes of ethereal music. Conceived as an intimate performance experience, Impressions of Pelléas is presented in a beautiful salon setting on the historic stage at The Ebell of Los Angeles.

Approximately one hour prior to the start of the performance, James Conlon, whose pre-performance lectures have become events almost as highly anticipated as his musical presentations, will present a deep dive into the French composer Claude Debussy and explore his only opera.

Featured artists:
LA Opera’s Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program
Deepa Johnny, Mélisande
Madeleine Lyon, Genevieve
Anthony Leon, Pelléas
Ryan Wolfe, Golaud
Alan Williams, Arkel

The Colburn School, pianists from the studio of Fabio Bidini
HyeJin Park
Yanfeng Tony Bai
Vijay Venkatesh
Ryota Yamazaki

Impressions of Pelléas is part of the Discovering Debussy series of events curated by James Conlon, which explores the composer’s musical works with a variety of performances and conversations taking place around Los Angeles. For more information visit “Discovering Debussy” 

Photo credit: Dan Steinberg