Christina Aguilera sang “Beautiful” accompanied by the Los Angeles Master Chorale and the Los Angeles Philharmonic conducted by Gustavo Dudamel
A special concert performed for free by the LA Philharmonic, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel with Christina Aguilera, was held at the Hollywood Bowl Tuesday evening to say “Thank you” to the first responders who battled LA’s wildfires and acknowledge those from the impacted communities of Altadena, Pacific Palisades and Malibu.
It was a night of appreciation for those who bravely worked for 3 1/2 weeks to control the devastating fires – fueled by dry conditions and unrelenting high winds that destroyed some of the most beautiful areas of LA.
From Altadena through the foothills of Sylmar to the Pacific Palisades and Malibu, the raging fires burned thousands of homes and businesses to the ground, taking the lives of 29 people and untold numbers of wildlife.
The WE ❤️ LA concert was produced to be a “night of respite” and “the start of building new memories” for those who have been uprooted and are now picking up the pieces to restore their lives.
County Supervisors Kathryn Barger and Lindsey Horvath acknowledged the many who responded to the emergency, including the civic employees, agencies and crews that are now part of a massive recovery effort.
Horvath noted the many artists who have lost their homes and studios and said support was being offered by the county. “Prince said music is healing; it holds things together,” she said. “We celebrate [you]with the power of creativity, the arts and music,” she said.
“You are all our heroes” said Kim Noltemy, CEO of the LA Philharmonic Association, referring to the “everyday heroes” who continue to offer a helping hand, and the “fortitude” of those affected by the fires – among them she said were some of the very people performing for this concert.
“For more than 100 years, with music, the LA Philharmonic has been our strength and our love for LA,” said Noltemy.
The powerful LA Philharmonic opened the show with the Palisades Charter High School Band, who played “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Gerald Clayton, a six-time Grammy-nominated pianist who was raised in Altadena, uplifted the audience by performing an intricate version of Gershwin’s jazzy “I Got Rhythm.”
There was a surprise solo performance from virtuoso cellist Yo Yo Ma. Known as much for his work as a cultural ambassador as for his exceptional technique, it was no surprise that he would be among the other musicians who generously donated their talent.
It was a very cold night, but LA’s Master Chorale fittingly sang “Bridge Over Troubled Waters” to warm many hearts.
The audience roared when a stunning Christina Aguilera, wearing a billowy red gown, appeared. She sang a sultry “At Last,” followed by “Beautiful,” one of her biggest hits and an anthem for self-acceptance.
Dudamel delighted the audience as he walked on stage carrying a lightsaber to conduct the orchestra as they played “Two Selections From Star Wars” from John Williams’s scores. The audience waved their own lightsabers back. Families in the audience sat in attention with big smiles and hummed the tunes with their kids when the Philharmonic played “Superman March,” the “Theme From Jurassic Park,” and “Three Selections from Harry Potter.”
As the concert ended and people started to file out, some spotted their former neighbors – the first question they asked each other was, “Where are you living now?”
Many had worn tee shirts for the occasion with the words “Altadena Strong.” The San Fernando Valley Sun/el Sol asked if they would rebuild and they posed a question and answered, “What else can we do? We have to recover.”