Pittance Chamber Music will be back on stage in the historic First United Methodist Church in Pasadena for Season VIII, starting on Saturday, January 22 with LA Opera Orchestra’s engaging principal percussionist, Dr. Theresa Dimond hosting a program that features a wide variety of repertoire performed by musicians from the percussion, woodwind and string sections of the orchestra.
On February 26, The Lyric Oboe features LA Opera Orchestra Principal Oboe Leslie Reed and pianist Edith Orloff leading a recital program of favorite works that reflect the lyric side of the oboe, ranging from the pastoral to folk traditions, including works inspired by famous paintings.
And on April 23, Pittance Chamber Music hosts a special evening featuring the complete Liebeslieder-Walzer
After a long pandemic induced break, Lisa Sutton, artistic director of Pittance Chamber Music said that they are thrilled to be back on stage for their 2022 season.
“There is truly no substitute for the experience of live performances,” Sutton said. “The feeling of connection and community is indeed unique.”
Sutton started Pittance Chamber Music in 2013 to showcase the extraordinary musicians who perform in the opera pit, moving them from the pit to the stage to perform in small ensembles – hence, the name Pittance.
“I had been playing in the orchestra for the LA opera since the beginning, and I realized that I was surrounded by these extraordinary musicians who were heard, but not seen playing away in the orchestra pit, mostly invisible to audiences,” Sutton recalls. “I’ve always loved the intimacy of chamber music. So what better way to introduce audiences to these amazing musicians and to showcase them on stage in small ensembles. And so presenting small ensembles from the pit inspired the name Pittance.”
Since 2013, the ranks of Pittance have been expanded to include vocalists from the LA Opera Chorus and the LA Opera Young Artists Program. By presenting these performers in smaller groups and smaller venues, Pittance endeavors to personalize opera and give audiences a more intimate view of the resident artists – the heart and soul of the opera company.
“The main thing we have in common is that we’ve known one another and played together at the opera for many years. And when you play in a pit over time, there are many skills you develop that are unique, both personal and musical,” Sutton said. “Personally, it’s crucial to get along with your colleagues playing in such close quarters for so many hours at a stretch. And musically I think we have a unique perspective that comes from working with singers, the sense of phrasing that’s related to the breath and breathing, and also with singers, each performance is uniquely inspired. It’s never twice the same.”
With Season VIII being held at the FUMC in Pasadena, Sutton sees just the right venue for the series, with the right acoustics and with plenty of space – even with social distancing in place.
“It’s quite awe-inspiring, especially the sanctuary where the concerts will take place. In spite of being somewhat cavernous, the acoustics are excellent,” she said. “And it makes it possible for us to accommodate larger instrument groups; for example, in our first program on January 22nd, there will be a group with four marimbas and a xylophone on stage, and that’s a lot of furniture.”
Tickets for Season VIII are from $25 for each performance to $110 for the three concerts. For more information about each night’s program and to purchase tickets, visit www.pittancechambermusic.org/
