L.A. OPERA SET TO GRAB THE `RING' IN 2006.

Byline: Rick Mortensen Staff Writer

Placido Domingo credited his ``adolescent love of music'' with sustaining him through his busy schedule. The septuagenarian divides his time between performing engagements with the Metropolitan Opera in New York and his demanding job as artistic director of Los Angeles Opera.

In a Tuesday press conference, Domingo announced L.A. Opera's 2002-03 season and outlined his ambitious plans for future seasons, including a performance of Wagner's entire four-opera cycle, ``The Ring of the Nibelung'' in summer 2006.

L.A. Opera President Marc Stern introduced Domingo, expressing ``awe at his energy and commitment.'' After recounting Domingo's busy week, Stern said the company's board has ``one mission: to support the artistic views, the artistic dreams and the dedication of Placido Domingo.''

Even with that show of support, Domingo publicly urged the board to expand the number of productions in a season from eight to 10, saying its biggest decision was ``how much to grow.''

Among his ``artistic dreams'' for the company, Domingo mentioned a desire to perform little-known works by Eastern European composers and mount a fully staged Zarzuela production.

Zarzuela is a form of Spanish light opera that Domingo frequently includes in his recitals. He said he was ``satisfied'' with the audience response to L.A. Opera's ``Evening of Zarzuela and Operetta'' on Jan. 8.

Citing the large number of Spanish-speakers, Domingo expressed optimism that Zarzuela could catch on in Los Angeles. Domingo mentioned a conversation he'd had with ex-L.A. mayor Richard Riordan about possibly using some of the city's old theaters for that purpose.

Domingo mentioned other well-placed contacts in connection with the 2002-03 season. Through his friendship with Russian conductor and director Valery Gergiev, Domingo will bring the entire Mariinsky Theatre production of Sergei Prokofiev's opera ``War and Peace,'' to Los Angeles in October.

L.A. Opera's production of Jacque Offenbach's ``Tales of Hoffman,'' slated for December, also originated at the Mariinsky Theatre. Domingo's wife, Marta, will direct it.

L.A. Opera has yet to find a director for the June production of Mozart's ``Don Giovanni,'' but Domingo said it will be totally original and hinted that it will be an experimental staging by mentioning Achim Freyer as a possible candidate.

``I think L.A. audiences are ready for that,'' he said.

Freyer is directing an avant-garde setting of Bach's ``Mass in B Minor'' at L.A Opera, opening Saturday.

Of course, the biggest buzz at the press conference was the proposed 2006 ``Ring Cycle,'' which Domingo said would be cheaper than staging each opera separately. Domingo also expressed his strong belief that staging all four works over the course of a week - like the annual festival in Beyreuth, Germany - would attract the summer festival crowd.

``I would like to see people come to our 'Ring' in June and then go to Beyreuth in August and compare the two,'' he said.

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Placido Domingo outlined his plans for L.A. Opera's 2002-03 season and beyond.