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Entertainment & Arts

Photos: L.A. Opera through the years

Above: A 2008 dress rehearsal of "Tristan and Isolde" by LA Opera with John Treleaven, right, as Tristan and Linda Wilson as Isolde in Act 3. Designed by David Hockney, the colorful staging of Wagner's masterpiece became a signature production of the young company. Other memorable productions created by the company include this season's "Il Foscari"; "Grendel," directed by Julie Taymor; and Herbert Ross' traditional "La Boheme."

Above: A 2008 dress rehearsal of “Tristan and Isolde” by LA Opera with John Treleaven, right, as Tristan and Linda Wilson as Isolde in Act 3.

Designed by David Hockney, the colorful staging of Wagner’s masterpiece became a signature production of the young company. Other memorable productions created by the company include this season’s “Il Foscari”; “Grendel,” directed by Julie Taymor; and Herbert Ross’ traditional “La Boheme.”  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

A relatively young company at just more than 25 years, L.A. Opera has already experienced its share of accomplishments and hardships. Here are some of the company’s milestones.

Kent Nagano

Appointed in 2003 as the company’s first music director, Nagano brought a consistent orchestral excellence to the company. He left L.A. Opera in 2006 and was succeeded by James Conlon, who has led the Paris National Opera among other European companies and who continues as music director.  (Johannes Simon / Getty Images)

The 'Ring' Cycle (2009)

The company staged its first-ever production of Wagner’s “Ring” cycle operas starting in 2009. The productions, directed by Achim Freyer, came with a price tag of $31 million and proved to be critically divisive and controversial.   (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Financial difficulties

In 2009, L.A. Opera received an emergency loan of $14 million from the county to address financial difficulties that stemmed from the weak economy and the expensive “Ring” cycle production. L.A. Opera repaid the loan in full in December 2012.  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

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Gift from Eli and Edythe Broad

Los Angeles Opera announced in June 2013 it would be $7 million richer thanks to a new gift from billionaire Eli Broad and his wife, Edythe.

The gift, being made through the couple’s charitable organization, the Broad Foundation, represents the largest sum they have given to L.A. Opera.   ( Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

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