Classical Music

Consider four events remembering Martin Luther King Jr. Also: “What the Constitution Means to Me” and Cirque du Soleil’s “Volta.”

Beethoven mashed up with Philip Glass? Christian Schmitt’s ode by organ? A loud walkout at Monday Evening Concerts? The Year of Beethoven has begun.

With his contract expiring at the end of next season, the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s beloved conductor, Gustavo Dudamel, signs on for five more years.

Long Beach Opera opens its new season by turning Purcell’s “King Arthur” into a mishmash superhero opera, starring the commanding bass baritone Cedric Berry. With an irresistible score and outstanding cast, it’s staged by the satirical, Latino collective, Culture Clash and utilizes the period-instrument, early-music ensemble, Musica Angelica.

Conductor Zubin Mehta ends two impressive weeks with the L.A. Phil with excerpts from Wagner’s “Ring,” but it’s the tricky Webern that proves Mehta’s power.

Dance performances in L.A. for Jan. 12-19 include Contra-Tiempo at the Wallis in Beverly Hills and the annual “Moves at The Montalbán” festival in Hollywood

Classical music performances in L.A. for Jan. 12-19 include salutes to civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. with Santa Monica Symphony Orchestra and Inner City Youth Orchestra

MOCA launches its free admission policy with a family festival, Long Beach Opera has a sci-fi take on “King Arthur” and Dance at the Odyssey returns.

Ben Cadwallader, who begins his LACO post in March, says he will prioritize inclusivity and try to bring new audiences to classical music.

Hans Zimmer spent a year with Terrence Malick before “The Thin Red Line” score was done. James Newton Howard lost a shot at an Oscar because Malick used classical masterworks with Howard’s score for “A Hidden Life.” But Howard says working with the director was worth the Academy snub. Here’s why.

Dance performances in L.A. for Jan. 5-12 include the 4th annual Dance at the Odyssey festival in West L.A. plus the closing performances of “Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake”

Classical music performances in L.A. for Jan. 5-12 include pianist Simone Dinnerstein and cellist Matt Haimovitz at the Walllis, Pittance Chamber Music, and Zubin Mehta with the LA Phil