January 13, 2010

By Associated Press

The Washington National Opera will stage five productions in the 2010-2011 season, including a production of Giacomo Puccini's "Madama Butterfly" that's new to the nation's capital.

General director Placido Domingo will return to sing and conduct on the Washington stage.

The shortened season announced Tuesday also includes Verdi's "Un Ballo in Maschera," Strauss' "Salome," Gluke's "Iphigenie en Tauride" and Donizetti's "Don Pasquale."

The company announced in November that it would scale back its production schedule from six shows to help tackle a budget crisis. It will offer more performances, though, of each production.

The company also announced the establishment of a new concert series named in Domingo's honor.

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