ARIA READY? THIS YEAR, THE L.A. OPERA GETS THE SPOTLIGHT ALL TO ITSELF.

Byline: Fred Shuster Music Writer

Just in time for the recall election, Faust is back on the boards.

The enduring tale of a man who sells his soul to the devil for power, riches and youth opens the Los Angeles Opera's 2003-04 season tonight. The new production of the Berlioz classic, featuring Samuel Ramey as the diabolical Mephistopheles, was scheduled long before the power grab for the governor's office began, but one can't help but notice a little accidental resonance.

Grand opera has always reflected some universal truths about human nature. In the coming months, the Music Center will play host to artfully conceived stories of love, politics, betrayal, madness, greed and jealousy. None of the dramas is set in Sacramento.

``Everybody knows a bit about Faust,'' said Edgar Baitzel, the L.A. Opera's artistic director. ``It's one of those stories that's intrigued people for centuries and continues to have strong associations with our lives. But it wasn't chosen as any sort of political comment. It's really because this is the 200th anniversary of Berlioz's birth.''

In the company's first season as sole tenant of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in the wake of the Los Angeles Philharmonic's move to the new Walt Disney Concert Hall, L.A. Opera has two titles in repertory this month. Alternating with the company's new production of ``La Damnation de Faust,'' which also stars Paul Groves in the title role, is the world premiere of ``Nicholas and Alexandra,'' composer Deborah Drattell's depiction of the fall of the last Russian monarchy. The piece stars L.A. Opera general director Placido Domingo as the enigmatic monk Rasputin and Rodney Gilfry as Czar Nicholas.

``Actually, this would be a good introduction for someone who's never been to the opera before,'' said Gilfry, marking his 27th role with the company. ``It's a wonderful story based on the love the couple had for each other and their children and the tragedy of their execution. Then, there's the sexy element of Rasputin, this charismatic guy who sort of infiltrated the royal family and was notorious for his drinking and carousing. The music is very accessible and the staging marvelous.''

There are four other new productions this season - Donizetti's ``Lucia di Lammermoor,'' containing one of the most famous mad scenes in all of opera, ``Orfeo ed Euridice,'' the oft-reworked descent into the underworld to retrieve lost love, Puccini's ``Madama Butterfly,'' staged by the always innovative Robert Wilson, and Mozart's ``Le Nozze di Figaro'' (``The Marriage of Figaro''), the fast-paced sex farce.

The company also offers Strauss' ``Die Frau Ohne Schatten'' (``The Woman Without a Shadow''), staged by artist David Hockney with L.A. Opera's principal conductor Kent Nagano, and Verdi's rousing ``Il Trovatore.''

In addition, the 2003-04 season features single recitals by lyric soprano Hei-Kyung Hong, returning to the Music Center after her acclaimed turn in ``Turandot'' last season, and Siberian baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsk making his L.A. Opera debut.

``With the Phil over at Disney Hall, we have more rehearsal time and that helps a lot,'' Baitzel said. ``Everyone expected we would immediately take over the pavilion and announce 150 performances. But the practical aspect is we need to schedule a production sometimes three years in advance, and we've only known we'd have the place to ourselves for the past 18 months. The next season - 2005 - will probably be the first season where we can really show our planning skills.''

Gilfry confirms the new rehearsal schedule for ``Nicholas and Alexandra,'' which opens Sunday for five performances. ``The major impact is there's more freedom and the company isn't scrambling for time. This will open doors for L.A. Opera to expand into an even more important international company.''

We'll give Mephistopheles the last word. Ramey, whose almost impossibly deep baritone and commanding persona make him the foremost purveyor of opera's devil parts, is cheered by the Los Angeles company's future, but doesn't imagine he'll be called upon to play many light roles.

``My devil roles are not the result of type casting,'' he insists with a chuckle. ``Although my wife might feel differently about that.''

Fred Shuster, [phone]

fred.shuster(at)dailynews.com

LA DAMNATION DE FAUST

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

When: 6:30 tonight, 2 p.m. Saturday and Sept. 28, 7:30 p.m. Monday and Sept. 21 and 24.

Tickets: $25 to $160. Call [phone] or go to www.losangelesopera.com.

NICHOLAS AND ALEXANDRA

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

When: 7:30 p.m. Sunday and Sept 17, 23 and 26, 2 p.m. Sept. 20.

Tickets: $30 to $170. Call [phone] or go to www.losangelesopera.com.

The new season

Here is a schedule of the Los Angeles Opera's 2003-04 season, which includes a world premiere and five new productions.

``La Damnation de Faust'' (Berlioz, new production): tonight, Saturday, Sept. 21, 24 and 28.

``Nicholas and Alexandra'' (Deborah Drattell, world premiere): Sunday, Sept. 17, 20, 23 and 26.

``Lucia di Lammermoor'' (Donizetti, new production): Nov. 22 and 30, Dec. 4, 7, 12, 14, 17 and 20.

``Orfeo ed Euridice'' (Gluck, new production): Nov. 29, Dec. 3, 6, 10, 13, 19 and 21.

Hei-Kyung Hong in recital: Jan. 17.

``Madama Butterfly'' (Puccini, new production): Feb. 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 26, 27 and 29, March 4, 7, 12 and 14.

``Die Frau Ohne Schatten'' (Strauss): Feb. 22, 25 and 28, March 3, 6, 10 and 13.

Dmitri Hvorostovsky in recital: April 18.

``Le Nozze di Figaro'' (Mozart, new production): May 22, 26 and 29, June 2, 5, 11, 13, 16 and 19.

``Il Trovatore'' (Verdi): May 27 and 30, June 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 and 20.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, box

Photo:

(1) Rodney Gilfry and Nancy Gustafson have the title roles in the L.A. Opera's production of ``Nicholas and Alexandra,'' opening Sunday.

(2) Paul Groves, left, and Samuel Ramey square off in ``La Damnation de Faust,'' which kicks off the opera's season tonight.

Box:

The new season (see text)