News for September/October 2002:

GIRL OF THE GOLDEN WEST

LOS ANGELES-- Giacomo Puccini's La Fanciulla del West--THE GIRL OF THE GOLDEN WEST--marks the start of Placido Domingo's second year as Los Angeles Opera's artistic director. The opera will run Sept. 4-22, with Domingo (who received the Presidential Medal of Freedom on July 9, 2002) sharing the role of Dick Johnson with Luis Lima, opposite Catherine Malfitano in her role debut as Minnie. The other lead singers include baritone Falk Struckmann (as Jack Rance) and Anthony Laciura (as Nick). Simone Young, artistic director of Sydney's Opera Australia, makes her L.A. Opera conducting debut with this Gian Carlo del Moncao production designed by Michael Scott.

Set against the backdrop of the 1849 California Gold Rush, THE GIRL OF THE GOLDEN WEST tells the story of a Bible-packing, gun-slinging saloon proprietess and a gold-rush bandit aho is redeemed by her love.

At the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in the music Center, 135 N. Grand Ave. For tickets call Ticketmaster or (213) 365-3500,

Los Angeles Opera also announced that OPERA NOTES ON THE AIR, the weekly opera-themed radio show hosted over K-Mozart by Suzanna Guzman and Rodney Gilfry will start its second season on Sun. Sept 1 at 7 PM.

Each week the show features music, interviews and commentary about today's opera world. Both Guzman and Gilfry, who sing regularly with Los Angeles Opera, are L.A. natives and continue to make southern California their home.

OPERA NOTES ON THE AIR is produced by distinguished voice teacher Dr. Sheryn Abramian and recorded by Fred Vogler. The program offers a new theme each week exploring selections from both traditional and lesser-known operas the the composers who wrote them. Hosts Guzman and Gilfry share their expertise as well as their experiences on and off the stage. Their show is sponsored by Audi of America and can be heard every Sunday night from 7-8 PM on K-Mozart 105l FM

HOUSTON GRAND OPERA'S LITTLE PRINCE

HOUSTON, TEXAS--Houston Grand Opera has announced the cast and creative team responsible for mounting the world premiere of Rachel Portman's THE LITTLE PRINCE (May 31-June 22, 2003). Teamed with Portman, who won an Oscar for Best Film Score for Emma, are librettist Nicholas Wright and director Francesca Zambello, who recently directed Of Mice and Men at HGO. Sets and costumes are by Maria Bjornson.

Australian baritone Teddy Tahu Rhodes will create the role of The Pilot, whose plane crash in the desert puts him in the path of the enigmatic and bewildering Little Prince, to be sung by a boy soprano. HGO's music director Patrick Summers will conduict the orchestra.

HGO's national radio broadcasts over NPR's World of Opera will resume Sat. Oct. 12, 2002 and continue through Sat. Nov. 23. Performances from HGO's 2001-2002 season will be heard on over 105 public radio stations across the country, reaching an estimated 1.5 million listeners.

NPR's World of Opera broadcasts performances from the world's great opera houses including La Scala, Opera Bastille and the Grand Theatre of Geneva. Visit www.npr.org for local dates and times of broadcasts.

For further information visit www.houstongrandopera.org



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