`ULYSSES' WINDOW TO BIRTH OF OPERA.

Mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade calls her star turn as Penelope in the L.A. Opera's production of ``The Return of Ulysses'' one of the greatest collusions of word and melody she's ever heard.

And that's saying something because von Stade - or Flicka as she is known throughout the music world - has performed some parts, like Cherubino in Mozart's ``The Marriage of Figaro,'' so many times they've become signature roles.

``Musically, the Penelope role is a dream, it's wonderful,'' von Stade explained. ``It's a beautifully written and constructed piece and a sensational story. It's also a great ensemble piece.''

In Claudio Monteverdi's ``Return of Ulysses,'' which opens tonight at the Music Center for six performances, Penelope has been waiting 20 years for the return of her husband Ulysses (Thomas Allen) from the Trojan Wars. In the meantime, three suitors have positioned themselves to vie for Penelope's hand and take control of Ithaca. Ulysses then washes up on the shore of his homeland and learns his throne is in jeopardy. Minerva, goddess of wisdom and the arts, disguises him as an old man so he can enter his palace unrecognized and thwart the suitors.

``It's a role with no solo arias,'' von Stade said. ``If anything, it's a style people are not always familiar with. Every character is totally important to the whole. It would make a good introduction to opera. Although it is unusual, it's very gripping. It makes you pay attention and really listen. It's really the birth of opera, so what better place to begin.''

The opera, first performed in Venice in 1640, is among the earliest works in the operatic repertoire. The composer Monteverdi is generally considered the father of modern opera.

The L.A. Opera company has engaged the early music group Musica Angelica, which uses baroque instruments, to make up the 10-member ensemble called for by conductor Glen Wilson's edition of the piece.

``The costumes are beautiful, too,'' said von Stade, who lives in the Bay Area with her husband and two daughters. ``They're very simple, very plain and startling.''

Von Stade first sang the part of Penelope at Glyndebourne in 1979, and the recording is available on CBS Records. She most recently sang the title role of Handel's ``Xerxes'' in Seattle. After the L.A. Opera dates, she flies to London for recordings and concerts, but will return to the area this summer for a concert at the Hollywood Bowl.

Cubanismo! explosion: In the new album ``Malembe,'' trumpeter Jesus Alemany and some of Cuba's best musicians come together for the second time to pay tribute to the fiery rhythms of Havana.

Alemany's all-star first effort, ``Cubanismo! Starring Jesus Alemany'' (Hannibal), rocketed into Billboard's combined 1996 tropical/salsa chart. ``Malembe'' is the follow-up.

``We were surprised at the success of the first album because we never expected the response to be like that,'' Alemany said last week. ``It's a different style of music than a lot of people are familiar with, and to make that kind of music is a risk. You don't know what kind of response you'll get.''

The 14-piece Cubanismo! band appears tonight in two shows at the Ash Grove on Santa Monica Pier that have all the earmarks of a true musical event.

Recorded in Havana by producer and Hannibal label chief Joe Boyd, ``Cubanismo!'' is a journey to the heart of this exciting and highly danceable music. The sessions turned out to be a homecoming for both Alemany, who has lived in London for the past five years, and Paris-based Cuban pianist Alfredo Rodriquez.

``Malembe,'' which also features Rodriquez, introduces Jorge Luis Rojas, a k a Rojitas, the rising salsa singer who performs tonight with the band.

``The new compositions and instrumental tunes are more Latin-jazz influenced without abandoning the Cuban style we used on the first album,'' Alemany explained. ``It was difficult putting the band together, but thanks to a lot of people involved we pulled it off. Same thing with the tour.''

THE FACTS

What: L.A. Opera's ``The Return of Ulysses'' by Claudio Monteverdi.

Where: Music Center, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles.

When: 7:30 p.m. today, Thursday, May 13, 16 and 18; 1 p.m. Saturday.

Background: Directed by Pierre Audi. Conducted by Glen Wilson. Starring mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade (Penelope) and baritone Thomas Allen (Ulysses).

Tickets: $23 to $130.

Information: [phone].

Who: Cubanismo! with Jesus Alemany.

Where: Ash Grove, 250 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica.

When: 8:30 and 10:30 tonight.

Tickets: $20.

Information: [phone].

CAPTION(S):

2 Photos

Photo: (1) Mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade stars as Penelope in Claudio Monteverdi's ``Return of Ulysses'' at the Music Center.

(2) The 14-piece Cubanismo! band, featuring trumpeter Jesus Alemany, appears tonight at the Ash Grove on the Santa Monica Pier.