Compose Yourself

Leoš Janáček was one of the most notable and celebrated Czech composers of the 20th century. Born terribly poor in Moravia, he led a tumultuous life filled with personal and professional hardships; it wasn’t until his later years did he gain the acclaim he so longed for (great art can only be achieved after suffering, no?). It was also at this time (in his 60s) that Janáček took up with a young married woman and had a passionate, though rather obsessive, affair. More than 700 letters were exchanged between the two. The Art Theatre of Long Beach will be celebrating this mastermind with The Lion In Love, an event to include an award-winning documentary about the composer’s life, a stage performance of said love affair and finally a string quartet rendition of Intimate Letters, a score named for his mistress. This is a come-and-go-as-you-like event, complete with Czech culinary delights.
Sun., Jan. 11, 3 p.m., 2009