Ojai music director George Benjamin in a familiar spot

George Benjamin undertook his first visit to Ojai last January, but in some ways, the trip must have seemed like a homecoming for the celebrated British composer, conductor, pianist and teacher. The freak storms that pounded the normally bucolic Southern Californian landscape throughout the length of his stay made Benjamin, who was in town in his capacity as the music director of this year's Ojai Music Festival, feel as if he'd never left wet and windy England behind.

By Chloe Veltman, Special to the Los Angeles Times

May 30, 2010