Program Includes U.S. Premiere of Francesconi's Cobalt, Scarlet: Two Colors of Dawn

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, AT 8 PM; FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, AT 11 AM;

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22, AT 8 PM; AND SUNDAY NOVEMBER 23, AT 2 PM

November 20 sponsored by Union Bank of California

Celebrated Italian conductor Roberto Abbado joins the Los Angeles Philharmonic in a colorful program of masterworks by Ravel, Saint-Saëns and Francesconi at Walt Disney Concert Hall on Thursday, November 20, at 8 p.m.; Friday, November 21, at 11 a.m.; Saturday, November 22, at 8 p.m.; and Sunday, November 23, at 2 p.m.

The program is highlighted by the U.S. premiere of Luca Francesconi's Cobalt, Scarlet: Two Colors of Dawn. The program also features Los Angeles Philharmonic Principal Concertmaster Martin Chalifour as soloist in Saint-Saëns' Violin Concerto No. 3. The French repertoire continues with Ravel's Alborada del gracioso and Suite No. 2 from the famed ballet Daphnis and Chloé.

Upbeat Live pre-concert events take place one hour prior to each concert in BP Hall at Walt Disney Concert Hall, and are free to all ticket holders. This week, musicologist Christopher Russell hosts a discussion with composer Luca Francesconi.

Italian conductor ROBERTO ABBADO is noted for his sophistication and energy on the podium and his ability to lead music from a wide range of composers and styles. This season, he makes his debut with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and the Pittsburgh Symphony, and returns to the Minnesota Orchestra, the National, Detroit, Houston, and Atlanta symphonies, as well as the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Internationally, he has conducted many of the finest orchestras. His operatic credits include the Metropolitan Opera, La Scala, Vienna State Opera, Paris' Bastille, and Zurich Opera. Abbado has recorded for RCA Red Seal and Decca. He studied conducting at La Fenice and the Santa Cecilia Academy in Rome. From 1991 to 1998, he served as Chief Conductor of the Munich Radio Orchestra.

MARTIN CHALIFOUR began his tenure as Principal Concertmaster of the Los Angeles Philharmonic with the 1995/96 season. Before coming to Los Angeles, Chalifour joined The Cleveland Orchestra in 1990 as Associate Concertmaster and later held the position of Acting Concertmaster for two seasons. Prior to that, he served as Associate Concertmaster and Acting Concertmaster of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Chalifour appears frequently as a soloist and in recital, and he has toured with chamber ensembles throughout North America and Europe. He regularly performs in a number of summer music festivals including San Diego's Mainly Mozart Festival and Florida's Sarasota Music Festival. Born in Montreal, Canada, Chalifour graduated with a unanimous First Prize from the Montreal Conservatory at the age of 18, and is a graduate of The Curtis Institute of Music.

EDITORS PLEASE NOTE:



THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, AT 8 PM

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, AT 11AM

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22, AT 8 PM

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23, AT 2 PM

Walt Disney Concert Hall

111 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES PHILHARMONIC

ROBERTA ABBADO, conductor

MARTIN CHALIFOUR, violin

FRANCESCONI Cobalt, Scarlet: Two Colours of Dawn (U.S. Premiere)

RAVEL Alborada del gracioso

SAINT-SAËNS Violin Concerto No. 3

RAVEL Daphnis and Chloé, Suite No. 2

Upbeat Live pre-concert events take place one hour prior to each concert in BP Hall at Walt Disney Concert Hall, and are free to all ticket holders. Musicologist Christopher Russell hosts a discussion with composer Luca Francesconi.

November 20 sponsored by Union Bank of California

Tickets ($15 - $120) are on sale now at the Walt Disney Concert Hall box office, online at LAPhil.com, or via credit card phone order at 323.850.2000. A limited number of $10 rush tickets for seniors and full time students may be available at the Walt Disney Concert Hall box office two hours prior to the performance. Valid identification is required; one ticket per person; cash only. Groups of 12 or more may be eligible for special discounts for selected concerts and seating areas. For all information, please call 323.850.2000.

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11/12/03