Crossed signals at the opera

Music Center president Stephen Roundtree said today that the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion will close for renovations in 2013, not 2011 as originally announced. Apparently, offices for displaced staff need to be built first at Grand and Temple downtown. The new date, however, seemed to catch L.A. Opera general director Placido Domingo unawares today at a press conference to announce the upcoming season. Phil Gallo reports on the Variety website:

Domingo appeared a bit surprised by Roundtree pinning down 2013 as the year to shut down the house. It had previously been announced for 2011 and L.A. opera was considering staging performances in other countries to expand its visibility.

"I hope its 2012 or 14," Domingo said, noting that 2013 is the 200th anniversary of the birth of Verdi and Wagner. "It will be difficult to look for an opera house to celebrate those anniversaries."

Gallo's highlights of the new opera season: L.A. Opera's first "Ring" cycle to begin with "Das Rheingold" and "Die Walkure," the U.S. premiere of "The Fly" with David Cronenberg directing, and Puccini's three-opera "Il Trittico" with Woody Allen and William Friedkin directing. Domingo also said L.A. Opera is thinking of beaming productions into movie theaters, following the lead of the Metropolitan Opera in New York.