The José Iturbi Foundation (JIF) supports the Los Angeles Philharmonic as the sponsor for the Dudamel & Domingo! concert at the Hollywood Bowl on Sunday, August 19. Plácido Domingo, considered the world’s greatest tenor, joins conductor Gustavo Dudamel for the first time in concert for an unforgettable evening of Latin songs and operatic arias. This concert benefits the LA Phil’s Musicians Pension Fund.
The Hollywood Bowl and the José Iturbi Foundation have a significant relationship as legendary musician José Iturbi was a premiere performer at the Hollywood Bowl more than 50 years ago, which brings a historical Hollywood perspective to the evening. The JIF sponsorship honors Iturbi’s career and celebrates his contributions to classical music as a renowned concert pianist, conductor and actor who received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Iturbi was the first musician to sell 1,000,000 copies of a record, that being Frédéric Chopin’s Military Polonaise (1950).
“The José Iturbi Foundation is dedicated to popularizing classical music, one note at a time!” said Donelle Dadigan, President and Co-Founder of JIF. “We are thrilled to re-create this relationship with the Hollywood Bowl and the LA Philharmonic as Iturbi had performed numerous times to sold-out audiences as a Bowl headliner.” Iturbi’s career spans more than half a century and reflects the glamour years of the 1940’s. In addition to Iturbi performing in concerts to sold out audiences worldwide as a concert pianist and conductor, he also appeared in films in hopes of popularizing classical music. One of Iturbi’s most popular films is the MGM classic, Anchors Aweigh (1945), starring Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly.
Prior to the concert, a special presentation will premiere on the Hollywood Bowl’s large screens spanning Iturbi’s life, talents and his past Hollywood Bowl performances with celebrities including Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Jimmy Durante, Gene Kelly, Kathryn Grayson, and Ethel Barrymore. For more information: JoseIturbiFoundation.org.
In addition to supporting classical music performances, the José Iturbi Foundation “showcases the world’s greatest classical music talent of tomorrow,” said Dadigan. The JIF has sponsored competitions held at UCLA’s Schoenberg Hall, awarding more than $250,000 at each competition. “Our $50,000 first prize is the largest cash prize awarded at any classical music competition in the world,” she adds.
Hollywood Bowl Concert Tickets: Hollywood Bowl Tickets
José Iturbi Foundation Website: JoseIturbiFoundation.org
Facebook: Facebook.com/JoseIturbiFoundation
Twitter: @JoseIturbiMusic