DOMINGO AND HEMMINGS REVEAL OPERA GRANTS

“I’m here to reaffirm my commitment to Los Angeles opera,” Placido Domingo proclaimed here Sunday.

The Spanish tenor, artistic consultant to Music Center Opera, came to Los Angeles to join executive director Peter Hemmings, in announcing major grants totaling $500,000. The two also announced that David Hockney will design the sets and costumes for the company’s production of Wagner’s “Tristan und Isolde,” scheduled for December, 1987.

Domingo also said that although “1987 is too soon” for him to tackle the difficult role of Tristan, he has considered singing it, and will do so eventually.

The 45-year-old tenor reminded those gathered for the noon announcement at the Music Center that he will conduct the performances of Verdi’s “Macbeth,” also to be produced by Music Center Opera in December, 1987.

Asked about a zarzuela connection at the Music Center, Domingo answered that zarzuelas (the Spanish opera form with which Domingo has been associated since childhood) “will definitely be in our plans,” but that no productions have been scheduled.

As it turns out, Domingo concluded, the opening-night performance of Verdi’s “Otello,” Oct. 7 in the Pavilion of the Music Center, will mark his 100th appearance in that role.

Hemmings announced two grants of $250,000 apiece, from the James Irvine Foundation, and from Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Getty. These grants will be used “as seed money to aid in the nurturing and development of the new (opera) company,” he said.

While principal funding for Music Center Opera is provided through the unified fund of the Performing Arts Council of the Music Center, the opera company still must generate special production funding, Hemmings said.

Hockney joins the “Tristan” production team already announced: conductor Zubin Mehta and stage director Jonathan Miller. Hockney, a Los Angeles resident since 1964, has designed operatic projects for the Metropolitan Opera and the Glyndebourne Festival, among others. “Tristan” will be his first Wagner opera and his first stage design to be seen in Los Angeles.

The fall season of Music Center Opera opens with “Otello,” Oct. 7. Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” opens Oct. 8, followed by Richard Strauss’ “Salome” on Oct. 9.