Washington National Opera 2008-09

Renée Fleming will make her debut with the Washington National Opera next season, starring in Donizetti’s "Lucrezia Borgia." The company also will stage Wagner’s "Siegfried" in advance of three full performances of the composer’s "Ring" cycle in November 2009.

The WNO’s 2008-09 season opens with Verdi’s "La Traviata" (Sept. 13-Oct. 5), and continues with Bizet’s "The Pearl Fishers" (Sept. 20-Oct. 7). "Lucrezia Borgia" (Nov. 1-17), in which Fleming alternates with Sondra Radvanovsky in the title role, will be conducted by Plácido Domingo, the company’s general director. The fall season concludes with Bizet’s "Carmen" (Nov. 8-19), starring Denyce Graves, and two Domingo-led performances of Rossini’s "Petite Messe Solennelle" (Nov. 21-22), featuring Andrea Bocelli among the soloists.

The company’s spring 2009 productions are Britten’s "Peter Grimes" (March 21-April 4), "Siegfried" (May 2-17) and Puccini’s "Turandot" (May 16-June 4).

The WNO’s cycle of "Das Rheingold," "Die Walküre," "Siegfried" and "Götterdämmerung" will be staged on Nov. 2, 3, 5 and 7; Nov. 9, 10, 12 and 14; and Nov. 16, 17, 19 and 21, 2009. The cast includes Alan Held (Wotan), Iréne Theorin (Brünnhilde), Gordon Hawkins (Alberich), Christopher Ventris (Siegmund), Anja Kampe (Sieglinde), Ian Storey (Siegfried), Elisabeth Bishop (Fricka), Gidon Saks (Hunding), Robin Leggate (Loge) and David Cangelosi (Mime). Heinz Fricke, the company’s music director, is slated to conduct. Francesca Zambello is the stage director of this co-production of the WNO and San Francisco Opera.

Subscriptions for the 2008-09 season are available by calling (800) 876-7372. For information on ticket packages for the 2009 "Ring," call (877) 640-7464.

More details on the coming season and "Ring" at the Washington National Opera Web site:

http://www.dc-opera.org/