Gustavo Dudamel - Photo Credit: LA Phil

It was an evening to remember at the Frank Gehry designed Walt Disney Concert Hall where we were treated to an evening of Schubert, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel.

The performance started with Luciano Berio (Italy) and Franz Schubert (Austria), and was followed by Berio with soprano Dawn Upshaw on vocals. During the intermission, I stopped by the Founders Room for an exciting champagne toast to Dudamel. After the intermission, one of Schubert’s most famous pieces, Symphony No. 8 in B minor D 750. “Unfinished” was performed by the LA Philharmonic led by our new conductor.

At the end of the unfinished piece, the normally sophisticated crowd applauded and yelled, “Dudamel, Dudamel” as if we were at a rock concert. Patrons were able to meet Dawn Upshaw at the LA Phil Store following the performance where she was signing copies of her CD’s.

Across the street from the Disney, a huge tent was erected with guests from all over the country celebrating MOCA’s 30th birthday. It was truly a cultural evening in the city of Los Angeles.

Julie Spira is a dating coach and the author of the online dating book, The Perils of Cyber-Dating: Confessions of a Hopeful Romantic Looking for Love Online. Visit her at CyberDatingExpert.com