L.A. Opera-Colburn partnership opens doors for young musicians

"It's a completely new experience," said Matthew Zuber, a 21-year-old bassoonist studying at the Colburn School. "I've never done an opera before." He was referring to his participation — along with 21 other young musicians at the downtown conservatory — in a new collaboration between Colburn and Los Angeles Opera's Domingo-Thornton Young Artist Program. That union gets its first showcase this weekend, when the combined forces present two one-act operas: Ernst Krenek's "The Secret Kingdom" and Viktor Ullmann's "The Emperor of Atlantis." L.A. Opera music director James Conlon conducts both works, at Colburn's Zipper Hall.

By David Mermelstein, Special to the Los Angeles Times

January 20, 2012