Conrad Susa

An 18th-Century French novel about a bunch of bored aristocrats and their sexual schemes may not sound like fodder for remakes, but "Les Liaisons Dangereuses" has been on a roll in recent years. Brought to the screen in a 1959 film directed by Roger Vadim, Pierre Choderlos de Laclos' tale of erotic scheming was re-popularized in 1988 by Christopher Hampton's stage adaptation. A 1988 film based on the play and directed by Stephen Frears followed, as did a 1989 movie directed by Milos Forman.

An 18th-Century French novel about a bunch of bored aristocrats and their sexual schemes may not sound like fodder for remakes, but "Les Liaisons Dangereuses" has been on a roll in recent years. Brought to the screen in a 1959 film directed by Roger Vadim, Pierre Choderlos de Laclos' tale of erotic scheming was re-popularized in 1988 by Christopher Hampton's stage adaptation. A 1988 film based on the play and directed by Stephen Frears followed, as did a 1989 movie directed by Milos Forman.

Concordia University's music department will present its annual holiday concert, "A World of Christmas," this weekend. This year's concert will include composer Conrad Susa's "Carols and Lullabies: Christmas in the Southwest," a performance of traditional Latino songs. Susa is resident composer at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego. Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday and at 4 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students and seniors.

Three indelible scenes and a central performance dripping in evil rescue Shakespeare's "Richard III," final show of the season to join the Old Globe repertory, from the blandness of pageant/spectacle and bring it into the realm of theater. One is Richard's ill-begotten coronation. It is a stunning display of pomp and blind ambition as Richard ascends the throne, leaving his queen (Deborah May)--the widow of a man he murdered--to crumple to the floor before him.

The Old Globe Theatre swept the fifth annual San Diego Critics Circle Awards Sunday, picking up 10 of 15 awards including one for best road show. Five of the Globe's awards went to "Coriolanus," John Hirsch's provocative retelling of Shakespeare's play in the shadow of Contragate and the upcoming elections.

Has anyone noticed that classical holiday programs in general aren't as limited and corny as they used to be? Yes, the Los Angeles Master Chorale held its "Messiah" sing-along Monday, and you could still hear some chestnuts at its holiday concert Sunday night at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. But music director Grant Gershon's focus in the first half was on J.S. Bach's invigorating Magnificat in D, and carols familiar and not were illuminated under various 20th century lights in the second half.

The Pacific Chorale will present the Oakland Ballet, offer several local premieres and emphasize American composers during its four-concert 1994-95 season at the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa. The ballet will dance John Butler's 1959 choreography to Orff's "Carmina Burana" on May 13, the final concert of the season, on a program that also includes the Orange County premiere of Stephen Paulus' "Voices."

Choral music has never needed any special encouragement towards conservatism. If that is not necessarily the state of the art, as the Los Angeles Concert Singers' daylong symposium Saturday suggested, the culminating concert proved the continuing vitality of established traditions. Led by director Paul Johnson, the 23-voice Concert Singers offered a pertinent and consistently engaging mini-survey of recent American Romantic works, in the flattering acoustic of St.

The repertory for duo organists being in short supply, Elizabeth Chenault and Raymond Chenault have had to commission new works in order to launch their uncommon career. The result is an abundance of contemporary idioms on their programs. Not surprisingly, that led to some defections during the husband-and-wife team's recital Friday at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove. Six of the nine works were Chenault commissions.

Each year, the advent of the holiday season rings in a time of musical celebration. And two area performance groups will do their part to lift concert-goers into the holiday spirit this weekend with separate programs. The Ojai Community Chorus will present "An English Christmas" Friday and Saturday, while The Moorpark Masterworks Chorale performs its annual "Christmas Celebration" Saturday and Sunday.

Repertory for duo organists being in short supply, Elizabeth and Raymond Chenault have had to commission new works to start their uncommon career. The result is an abundance of contemporary idioms on their programs. Not surprisingly, that led to some defections during the husband-and-wife team's recital Friday at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove. Six of the nine works were Chenault commissions.