Placido Domingo Extends His Leadership Of Washington National Opera; Will Seek Support For More Commissions Of New Operatic World Premieres

"Placido Domingo is extending his contract as general director of the Washington National Opera through the 2010-11 season, matching his deal with the Los Angeles Opera that was announced earlier this week....

"I want to do more commissions and the very important second and third productions of new works -- giving them the life that will bring them into the standard repertoire," Domingo said in a statement after Thursday's announcement.

The 65-year-old tenor heads the two companies in addition to his singing and conducting engagements at various opera houses."

The Associated Press February 24, 2006 via www.wtopnews.com.

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... "Washington National Opera recently announced its 2006-2007 season consisting of Nicholas Maw’s opera Sophie's Choice, the continuation of WNO's [Wagner] Ring cycle with a new production of Die Walküre, a new co-production of Janáček's Jenůfa, a new production of Verdi's Macbeth, a double-bill of Bartók's Duke Bluebeard's Castle (a company premiere) and Puccini's Gianni Schicchi, Donizetti's La Fille du Régiment, and Puccini's Madama Butterfly.

This year, Washington National Opera, drawing on the talents at its Center for Education and Training, will launch an annual Family Opera, producing the East Coast premiere of Stephen Mager and Elkhanah Pulitzer’s Dream of the Pacific." ...

Press Release The Washington National Opera February 23, 2006.

http://www.dc-opera.org/newsupdates/documents/
PDContractRenewal_webversion.pdf










Scene from Scott Wheeler's Washington National Opera commission "Democracy: An American Comedy". Based upon the success of this opera, Mr. Wheeler is now being considered for a Metropolitan Opera world premiere.

See Richard Dyer "Wheeler's next opera could be bound for the Met" The Boston Globe, February 24, 2996 via Boston.com

Photo credit: www.andante.com/article/ article.cfm?id=25104