Press Releases
San Clemente, CA – Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, an award-winning nonprofit cultural center in Southern California, is proud to present robust Spring programs including site-specific commissioned theater and opera performances, a romantic evening of dance set to live music, and a classical concert featuring beloved composers. Casa Romantica’s beauty and expansive gardens not only serve as a unique setting for performing arts but also a safe place for people to enjoy in person events this spring.
“We are delighted to share a diverse lineup of artists this Spring with our community,” says Executive Director Amy Behrens. “Casa Romantica is one of the only places in Orange County that is able to host such a well-rounded program of concerts and performances in such a safe manner, set outdoors in our beautiful seaside gardens.”
Orchestra Collective of Orange County: An Evening of Dvorak and Mozart
April 7, 2021 | 7:00 PM | General Admission $40, Members $35
A limited number of $1 tickets available for children aged 6-16
Listen to the music of the beloved composers in a rare evening of live classical music in 2021. This evening will take place outdoors in Casa Romantica’s Courtyard and will feature a quintet of classical performers. The evening will also be kicked off by a musical performance from alumni of Casa Romantica’s Summer Music Festival and Academy.
About the Orchestra Collective of Orange County
They are a collectively-run symphony orchestra based in Orange County, California. Founded in 2016 by veterans of the Southern California classical music scene, they believe that collaboration and self-governance can and will yield amazing results, both artistically and otherwise! A group that embodies and embraces diversity of all kinds, they strive to produce one-of-a-kind musical events that will thrill both longtime concert-goers and complete musical newcomers.
Tango Romantica
April 23, 2021 | 7:00 PM | General admission $40 | Members $35
A commissioned evening of Tango music and dance featuring world-renowned Argentinian tango dancers Miriam Larici and Leonardo Barrionuevo. Guests will be treated to a romantic tango performance under the stars in Casa Romantica’s historic courtyard accompanied by a trio of live musicians.
A backstage pass opportunity is available for this event on April 22 that will include a 45-minute viewing of the rehearsal, meet & greet with the artist, and a picnic-style dinner. Tickets for the Backstage pass are $100 and must be purchased separately from tickets to the event.
About Miriam Larici and Leonardo Barrionuevo
Miriam Larici & Leonardo Barrionuevo are considered one of the top Tango Couples of the World. As a tango duo, they have an international reputation as instructors, performers, and choreographers of Argentine Tango and share their mastery, passion, and magic with audiences around the globe. Their accolades include being the Tango choreographers on FOX’s “So You Think You Can Dance” since 2009 and on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” from 2011-2017. They were also the champions of NBC’s “Superstars of Dance” in 2009 and starred in a nationally broadcast commercial for Chase Bank from 2015-2017.
Romeo and Juliet
April 29-30 | 7 PM Nightly | GA $40, Members $35
The classic tale of two star-crossed lovers performed by Southern California Shakespeare Festival Guild. Director Sam Robinson will use Casa Romantica’s historic Main Salon to transport guests to Verona.
A backstage pass opportunity is available for this event on April 28 that will include a 45-minute viewing of the rehearsal, meet & greet with the artist, and a picnic-style dinner. Tickets for the Backstage pass are $100 and must be purchased separately from tickets to the event.
About Southern California Shakespeare Festival Guild
The mission of the Southern California Shakespeare Festival Guild, SCSFG, is to establish a classical, professional repertory Theatre Company, dedicated to nurturing artists, student-artists and enriching the diverse community of Pomona and the Inland Empire. SCSFG endeavors to explore the eternal human questions seeking to enlighten and excite contemporary audiences with the timeless relevance of Shakespeare’s literature. They are committed to providing their community with a professional theatre company of multicultural actors and students that will reach a diverse audience.
Opera through the Seasons
May 13-14, 2021 | 7:00 PM | General admission $30 | Members $25
original concept opera called Opera Through the Seasons, starring sopranos Liv Redpath and Andrea Zomorodian. Audiences will experience this aural and visual fantasy world by walking from stage to stage throughout the oceanfront property, creating tangible transitions between each season and performance. Featuring leading soloists from LA Opera, including soprano Liv Redpath (returning to Casa Romantica after a sold-out 2018 solo performance) and Andrea Zomorodian (who has worked with the Disney Concert Hall and the LA Philharmonic). At each stage, an opera singer and their live accompaniment will perform pieces inspired by each season.
A backstage pass opportunity is available for this event on May 12 that will include a 45-minute viewing of the rehearsal, meet & greet with the artist, and a picnic-style dinner. Tickets for the Backstage pass are $100 and must be purchased separately from tickets to the event.
About Liv Redpath
Liv Redpath is one of the most promising young soprano leggero on the opera and concert stage today. She is a frequent performer for the Los Angeles Opera and the LA Philharmonic. Additionally, Ms. Redpath has had the honor of performing for the First Lady of China, Mme. Peng Liyuan.
A graduate of Harvard University and The Juilliard School, Ms. Redpath received further training in various programs at the Houston Grand Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, and Wolf Trap Opera. Ms. Redpath is a former Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist with the Los Angeles Opera.
About Andrea Zomorodian
Andrea Zomorodian, a native of Seattle, is a soprano based in Los Angeles and regularly sings across the US and abroad. Her work in LA has been focused on concert, oratorio, early music, and studio singing. She has performed at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, and has recorded on major motion picture soundtracks.
Ms. Zomorodian graduated magna cum laude from the University of Southern California and was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to Vienna, Austria.
About Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens
Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens maintains a robust series of year-round programs in arts, music, history, horticulture, and literature for all ages. Casa Romantica has commissioned several critically-acclaimed works, including Casa Classic: La Serva Padrona (2020; classical music), Casa Coastal: Murals of Levi Ponce (2019; visual art), Casa Theater: The Odd-Essy (2019; theater), Casa Kinetic: Culture Shock LA Hip Hop (2019; dance); Casa Coastal: The Art of Baja California (2018; visual art), Casa Theater: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2018; theater), Casa Kinetic: Celebrating Tap Dance Legends (2018; dance), Casa Coastal: Rebecca Louise Law (2017; visual art), Casa Kinetic: Contemporary Dance Collective (2017; contemporary dance), The Beauty of the Butterfly (2017; visual art), Casa Kinetic: Carrie Lee Riggins (2016; contemporary dance), Casa Drama: Slings & Arrows (2015; theater), and Open Casa: The Photographs of Douglas Kirkland (2015; visual art). The 2020-21 Casa Captivating season includes an expanded dance (Casa Kinetic), theater (Casa Theater), and concert series (Casa Vibes), visual and performing arts commissions, and an expanded Casa Kids education program.
Casa Romantica also hosts a variety of free arts education programs for children year-round. The institution’s annual Casa Romantica Music Festival and Academy has received critical praise for its comprehensive two-week music studies program in cello, piano, viola, and violin. Casa Romantica also offers a Summer Dance Workshop, a Spring Break Arts Week, various art, literature, and horticulture events to grades K-12, and welcomes over 6,000 children from the Capistrano Unified School District each year for STEAM-based field trips that examine the history of San Clemente and the coastal environment.
Mission Statement: Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization and is the historic home of the founder of the City of San Clemente. Casa Romantica provides programs for all ages in arts, music, history, and horticulture and is a premier Southern California cultural center.
Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens is located at 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, CA 92672. Hours: Tuesday—Thursday 10 AM—4 PM; Friday—Sunday 10 AM — 2 PM; closed Mondays and holidays. General admission is $5; Casa Members, active duty military with ID, and children under age 13 visit for FREE. For more information, call (949) 498-2139 or visit CasaRomantica.org
