By Daily Press staff
Santa Monica College, which is opening a 500-seat theater on the Madison Campus at 11th and Santa Monica Boulevard in 2005, honored Marilyn Horne and her foundation at Melisse Restaurant in Santa Monica.
The private donor event served a dual purpose: To recognize the renowned opera singer’s birthday and her foundation, and to convey the high caliber of arts that the theater will bring to Santa Monica and the westside, officials said.
The private luncheon, underwritten by Madison Project supporter Hanna Kennedy, drew such luminaries as Dustin Hoffman and Santa Monica College alumnus.
“There is no substitution for live theater,” said Hoffman in a speech at the luncheon. During his impassioned remarks, Hoffman thanked the donors for their contribution to the theater. He continued his address by playfully interviewing Horne on her life as a committed opera singer.
Marilyn Horne Foundation artist and soprano Jennifer Aylmer performed at the luncheon in addition to performing four education outreach concerts in Los Angeles and a full recital at the Doheny Mansion.
“We were thrilled to honor Marilyn and her foundation,” said Dale Franzen, director for the Madison project and a former Los Angeles opera singer. “Just as Marilyn celebrates superb new vocal talent, our theater will showcase emerging and well-known artists.”
The teaching and performing arts complex will host world-class professional presentations including dance, theater, vocal performances, recitals, chamber orchestra, film and lectures.
Architect Renzo Zecchetto, whose previous projects include the California Center for the Arts in Escondido, and Church of the Nativity in Rancho Santa Fe, is designing the facility.
For more information, visit www.smc.edu/madison, www.marilynhornefdn.org and www.zecchetto.com.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 14, 2004. Read the original PDF.