Washington, D.C.- XM, the satellite radio service and Washington National Opera (WNO) under General Director Pl?cido Domingo, has announced a new series featuring performances from Washington National Opera. Premiering Tuesday, August 28 on XM, the inaugural run of "Washington National Opera on XM" will include operas from WNO`s recent seasons, including Norma, La Cenerentola, Die Walk?re, A Streetcar Named Desire, Manon Lescaut, and La traviata.

Featured artists in the series will include Pl?cido Domingo, Heinz Fricke, Sonia Ganassi, Alan Held, Hei-Kyung Hong, Andr© Previn, and Ver?nica Villarroel, among many others.

"Washington National Opera on XM" will debut with WNO`s production of Norma, Bellini`s bel canto drama about a Druid high priestess betrayed by her lover during the era of Roman occupation, which features two of opera`s most memorable tunes "Mira, O Norma" and "Casta Diva." Hasmik Papian sings the title role with Irina Mishura as Adalgisa and Richard Margison as Pollione.

"Washington National Opera on XM" will air Tuesdays at 12 noon ET on XM`s dedicated classical vocals and opera channel VOX (XM 112), with encore broadcasts Fridays at 6 p.m. ET and Saturdays at 12 midnight ET.

"Washington National Opera on XM" Schedule

Vincenzo Bellini`s NormaAugust 28, 12 noon ETEncore broadcasts:August 31, 6 p.m. ETSeptember 1, 12 midnight ETEmmanuel Villaume, conductorNorma: Hasmik PapianAdalgisa: Irina MishuraPollione: Richard Margison

Gioachino Rossini`s La CenerentolaSeptember 4, 12 noon ETEncore broadcasts:September 7, 6 p.m. ETSeptember 8, 12 midnight ETRiccardo Frizza, conductorAngelina: Sonia GanassiDon Ramiro: Jes?s GarciaDandini: Simone AlberghiniDon Magnifico: Alfonso Antoniozzi Richard Wagner`s Die Walk?reSeptember 11, 12 noon ETEncore broadcasts:September 14, 6 p.m. ETSeptember 15, 12 midnight ETHeinz Fricke, conductorBr?nnhilde: Janice WatsonSieglinde: Anja KampeFricka: Elena ZarembaSiegmund: Pl?cido DomingoWotan: Alan HeldHunding: Kurt Rydl

Andr© Previn`s A Streetcar Named DesireSeptember 18, 12 noon ETEncore broadcasts:September 21, 6 p.m. ETSeptember 22, 12 midnight ETAndr© Previn, conductorBlanche DuBois: Susannah GlanvilleStella Kowalski: Peggy Kriha DyeMitch: Anthony Dean GriffeyStanley Kowalski: Teddy Tahu Rhodes

Giacomo Puccini`s Manon LescautSeptember 25, 12 noon ETEncore broadcasts:September 28, 6 p.m. ETSeptember 29, 12 midnight ETPl?cido Domingo, conductorManon: Ver?nica Villarroeldes Grieux: Franco FarinaLescaut: Roberto Servile

Giuseppe Verdi`s La traviataOctober 2, 12 noon ETEncore broadcasts:October 5, 6 p.m. ETOctober 6, 12 midnight ETGiovanni Reggioli, conductorVioletta: Hei-Kyung HongAlfredo: John MatzGermont: Jorge Lagunes

About Washington National OperaWashington National Opera is recognized internationally as one of the premieropera companies. Under the leadership of General Director Pl?cido Domingo,Washington National Opera attracts critically-acclaimed artists and is dedicated to broadening the public`s awareness and understanding of opera.

The company has earned its position through the number and quality of its new productions and by championing lesser known works of significant musical worth rarely presented on today`s opera stages. The company is committed to sustaining new American opera and presenting new works in crucial second productions to expand the operatic repertory.

Washington National Opera also is known for its discovery and nurturing of important young talent through the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program and the international collaboration system it has pioneered with leading foreign opera companies. The company reaches a wide-ranging audience locally, nationally and internationally through its access initiatives, the Center for Education and Training, and Generation O, a young patrons program for adults age 18 to 35.

For more information about membership, programs, and how everyone can experience the opera, visit www.dc-opera.org.