SATURDAY: CHAMBER CONCERTSOne of the more enduring...

SATURDAY: CHAMBER CONCERTS

One of the more enduring images of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra over the years has been of Iona Brown conducting from the string section while playing the violin.

The ensemble is presenting two concerts over the next two weekends at the Alex Theatre in Glendale. Violinist-conductor Brown will be featured in both.

The first concert, on Saturday, will feature music scored for strings and harpsichord only. Included will be pieces by Purcell, Handel, Vivaldi and Corelli. Performing on strings along with Brown will be Clayton Haslop, Jennifer Woodward, Julie Gigante, Richard Altenbach and Jackie Brand. Patricia Mabee will perform on the harpsichord.

The second concert, March 31, will feature the full chamber orchestra performing Mozart’s Symphony No. 25 in G, Britten’s “Les Illuminations,” featuring soprano Harolyn Blackwell, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 in A.

So, will Brown do double duty, playing the violin and conducting in both concerts?

“I’m going to be doing both in the first program,” she says. “In the second concert, I’m going to conduct from the podium with a baton.”

Brown says her decision, which is based on practical as well as artistic reasons, depends on the size of the ensemble performing.

“For the baroque, it’s not necessary to conduct,” she says. “There’s a different communication when you’re playing together.”

For the larger ensemble, Brown finds working behind the podium not only is better for the musicians, but for her as well.

“Standing at the podium, I can hear the balance of the orchestra better,” she says. “When you get away from it [the orchestra], you get a completely different perspective.”

* The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra performs at 8 p.m. Saturday and 7:30 p.m. March 31 at the Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale. Tickets are $10-$36. Call (800) 233-3123.

DESERT SONGS

Desert Opera Theatre in Palmdale will present Gilbert and Sullivan’s operetta “The Mikado” as the first production of its 26th season.

“We do a Gilbert and Sullivan one year and then a traditional opera the next,” says managing director Melissa Barker. “We’ll be doing ‘Madame Butterfly’ in 1997.”

In addition to its regular performances, the group will present a free children’s matinee at 2 p.m. Saturday. The matinee, which will be a shortened, one-hour version of the program sponsored by First Interstate Bank, is open to children and parents.

* Desert Opera Theatre presents “The Mikado” at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Ends March 31. Tickets are $12 general, $10 seniors, $8 youth. Call (805) 267-5685.

SUNDAY: FUND-RAISING PHANTOM

Dale Kristien, who starred as Christine in the Los Angeles production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Phantom of the Opera,” will headline the Glendale Adventist Medical Center’s fund-raising gala, “Hats Off,” on Sunday.

Kristien logged over 1,700 performances opposite Michael Crawford, Robert Guillaume and Davis Gaines in the five years she played Christine in Los Angeles. Her performance Sunday will include some of the songs from the “Phantom” score plus other material.

Proceeds from the gala will benefit a new Senior Resource Center at the medical center.

* “Hats Off,” Glendale Adventist Medical Center’s 12th annual gala starring singer Dale Kristien starts with a reception and dinner at 5:30 p.m. Sunday at the Red Lion Hotel, 100 W. Glenoaks Blvd., Glendale. Tickets are $200 per person. Call (818) 409-8055.

MONDAY: MORE CHAMBER

Cal State Northridge presents “Chamber Music Summit I,” on Monday evening in the school’s new Performing Arts Center.

* “Chamber Music Summit I” at 8 p.m. Monday in CSUN’s University Student Union Performing Arts Center, 18111 Nordhoff St. Tickets are $8 general, $5 students and seniors. Call (818) 885-2488.