Fall Preview : Our User’s Guide: Still Friendly : Critic’s Picks: Classical

Los Angeles Music Center Opera. Absent from its home theater since June, the company returns to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion this week with a vengeance. The 1993-94 season, which opened Thursday, continues with a new “La Boheme” staged by Herbert Ross, through Sept. 26. Tonight Verdi’s “Un Ballo in Maschera” is headed by Leona Mitchell and Placido Domingo. Also: Richard Strauss’ “Die Frau ohne Schatten,” Oct. 31.

Los Angeles Philharmonic. The Philharmonic inaugurates Esa-Pekka Salonen’s second season at the helm with a no-nonsense program at the Pavilion focusing on Stravinsky’s “Symphony of Psalms” and Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, with soloists Faye Robinson, Carmella Jones and Gregg Jones. Oct. 7.

Los Angeles Master Chorale. Conductor Paul Salamunovich leads the chorale into its 30th season, also at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, with Mendelssohn’s “Elijah,” with soloists Kurt Ollman (in the title part), Michael Waring, Lesley Leighton, Adelaide Sinclair and Agostino Castagnola. Oct. 10.

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. The orchestra, noting its own 25th-anniversary season, inaugurates the concert year with the world premiere of John Harbison’s “The Most Often Used Chords,” at UCLA’s Royce Hall. Music Director Christof Perick leads the orchestra in a program filled out by Stravinsky’s “Apollon Musagete” and Beethoven’s “Emperor” Concerto. Oct. 22.