Out There :: Celebrating A Benefactor

Brand-new year, brand-new opportunities for adventures in the arts!

Over at Davies Hall, the San Francisco Symphony, with dynamic music director Michael Tilson Thomas conducting, will offer a special concert on Mon., Jan. 6, celebrating the 80th birthday of composer-philanthropist-SF royalty Gordon Getty. On the program, the Symphony, the San Francisco Symphony Chorus conducted by Ragnar Bohlin, tenor superstar Placido Domingo, beloved mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade, soprano Lisa Delan, and pianist Robin Sutherland will add to the star power.

Getty has been a major benefactor for the musical life of the Symphony and the city. Since 1979, when he joined the SF Symphony Board of Governors, the SFS has presented the full-concert world premiere of his opera "Plump Jack"; has performed Getty's "Annabel Lee" for Men's Chorus and Orchestra; and has offered the West Coast premiere of his "Young America," set to texts by the composer and by the poet Stephen Vincent Benet. Getty and his wife Ann have given generously to the SFS, making possible the much-needed 1991-92 acoustic renovation of the Hall, and helping to fund MTT and the SFS' acclaimed Mahler Recording Project on SFS Media.

Next week's concert will feature the world premiere of Getty's new work "A Prayer for My Daughter" performed by MTT, the SFS and the SFS Chorus; Getty's "Four Dickinson Songs," with soprano Delan and keyboardist Sutherland; and three movements from his "Ancestor Suite." Domingo returns to perform with the SF Symphony for the first time since his debut with the orchestra more than 40 years ago. He will sing from Verdi's "La Traviata," and with von Stade, from Lehar's "The Merry Widow." Von Stade will sing from Mahler's Ruckert-Lieder as well; the program also includes overtures from Rossini and Strauss, and tops it all off with the Fourth Movement from Beethoven's Symphony No. 7. Rather an abundance of riches, no?

Out There was privileged to be seated across the table from Gordon Getty at a lunch celebrating the Balboa Cafe's 100th anniversary last year. We found him charming, personable, great fun to drink wine with, and a fellow baseball fan who kept us apprised of the score from a TV over the bar. We may not own a private jet or have penned a full-length opera, but we felt right at home in his company, which only shows his good character. Tickets for the event ($75-$350) may still be available at sysymphony.org, at the SFS box office on Grove St., or at (415) 864-6000.

Brit Hit

Hard to believe, but "Four Weddings and a Funeral" came out 20 years ago, becoming a surprise box-office hit and making actor Hugh Grant famous for his little-boy-lost smile and trademark stutter. This movie not only stands up by today's standards, but also beats most romantic comedies that followed, which just don't get the right mix of confusion when lovers meet. Grant and actress Andie MacDowell toy with the idea they might have met their future mate, but need to see each other again and again to be sure. Director Mike Newell ("Enchanted April," "Awfully Big Adventure") knows how to set a mood and keep it as Grant's character's adorable and very British friends circle around him. It's worth another viewing just to see Rowan Atkinson again as the bumbling vicar.

There will be a free screening of the film on Thurs., Jan. 9, 7:30 p.m. at the Vogue Theater, ?3290 Sacramento St. (at Presidio), put on by the folks who produce the Mostly British Film Festival. For two complimentary tickets, e-mail [email protected] and put Four Weddings and a Funeral in the subject line. Then just show up at the Vogue Theater with a smile for the special screening. The Mostly British Film Festival program will be announced, and there will be an opportunity to purchase a discounted series pass.

Good Work

On Sun., Jan. 12, at 4 p.m., musicians from the Bay Area Rainbow Symphony will perform a chamber concert at the Community Church of Mill Valley, 8 Olive St. in Mill Valley, CA. The concert will feature a string quartet and a woodwind quintet or mixed quintet performing music by Beethoven, Ireland, and Poulenc. Tickets are $25.

Members of the Rainbow Symphony took an interest in CCMV when they learned in August that vandals had destroyed the rainbow flag displayed on church property in support of gay rights. The Bay Area Rainbow Symphony, at BARS-SF.org, is primarily composed of LGBT musicians; many of them perform with other symphonic groups. Tickets are available on the CCMV website, millvalleyucc.org. Good music for a good cause.