LA Chamber Orchestra benefit concerts Nov. 17 & 19

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) presents two elegant “LACO à la carte” fundraising events of the 2011-12 season in November – “Austria à la carte” on Thursday, November 17, 7 pm, and “Iran à la carte” on Saturday, November 19, 7 pm. These intimate salons pair delectable international cuisine and exceptional musical performances in spectacular private homes of members of the region’s international community.

"Austria à la carte” takes place in Brentwood at the Austrian residence of The Honorable Karin Proidl, Consul General of Austria, on Thursday, November 17, 2011, 7 pm. The evening features LACO Assistant Concertmaster Tereza Stanislav, Violist Robert Brophy and Principal Cello Andrew Shulman in a program of Mozart and Beethoven. Austria, with its delightful sidewalk cafes, pastry shops, prized white wines and compelling art, music and architecture, is also celebrated as a haven for gourmands with the emergence of a sophisticated culinary movement, embracing fresh, seasonal and local produce.

Dedicated LACO board member Ahmad Gramian and his wife, Haleh, host “Iran à la carte” in their elegant Brentwood home on Saturday, November 19, 2011, 7 pm. The evening features a musical program honoring LACO Principal Oboe Allan Vogel’s 40th anniversary with the Orchestra. He performs with fellow LACO principals Josefina Vergara, violin, Roland Kato, viola, and Andrew Shulman, cello. Guests will enjoy a sampling of the culinary riches of Iran.

Chaired by LACO board member Mahnaz Newman, each event in the “LACO à la carte” series features a different style of cuisine complimented by a salon performance by LACO members and guest artists. This season, the series launched in September with a celebration of Music Director Jeffrey Kahane's 15th anniversary with the Orchestra at the home of the Consul General of Australia. Two additional events took place at the homes of the consuls general of Azerbaijan and Belgium.

“LACO à la carte” is generously sponsored by LACO president K. Eugene Shutler and board members Ahmad and Haleh Gramian, Ann Moore Mulally, Mahnaz and David Newman, and Ned and Dana Newman.

Tickets are $200 per person. “LACO à la carte” events are on sale now and may be purchased by calling Maya at 213 622 7001 x 3. Details are available at www.laco.org/events.