Judy Collins, Jane Krakowski, Peter Sellars, Elaine Stritch, et al. Part of the LA Philharmonic’s 2011-2012 Season

The Los Angeles Philharmonic has announced its 2011-2012 season which will open with a gala concert to be held on September 27 at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. The program for the evening will feature George Gershwin’s Cuban Overture, An American in Paris and Rhapsody in Blue. Gustavo Dudamel will conduct the performance which will also feature Harbie Hancock.

In addition, the coming year will see the continuation of the Philharmonic’s Songbook series, which will include one-night-only performances by Jane Krakowski (October 23), Judy Collins (February 11), and Elaine Stritch, who will perform Elaine Stritch Singin’ Sondheim…One Song at a Time on May 19.

The company’s season will begin with the world premiere of the prologue to Dmitri Shostakovich’s unfinished and long-lost opera, Orango, to be performed December 2-4. The complete satirical work about the activities of a half-man, half-ape being was partially written by the composer in 1932, on receipt of a commission from the Bolshoi Theater to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the October Revolution. Peter Sellars will direct the 40-minute semi-staged piece, which will be conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen.

Sellars will also direct the world premiere of John Adams’ The Gospel According to the Other Mary, a 90-minute oratorio for orchestra, chorus and soloists based on the New Testament stories of Lazarus and Jesus’ Passion, plus contemporary Latin American poetry from writers such as Rosario Castellanos, Dorothy Day, Louise Erdich, and June Jordan. Sellars has also provided the libretto for the work which will run May 31- June 3. Dudamel will conduct the performances which will feature Kelley O’Connor, Russell Thomas, Dan Bubeck, Brian Cummings, Steven Rickards, and the Los Angeles Master Chorale, along with one performer to be announced in the near future.

For more information and tickets, click here.