Regarded by many as Mark Morris' earliest masterpiece, L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato requires not just dancers, but an opera chorus, orchestra and four soloists. This year, Morris launched his company's 30th anniversary with this work and brings it to Los Angeles in a performance that occasioned the first collaboration between the L.A. Opera and the Music Center's dance presenter. And a blue-chip collaboration it is as Morris' 24-member company is joined by the L.A. Opera, the L.A. Opera Orchestra plus sopranos Hei-Kyung Hong and Sarah Coburn, tenor Barry Banks and bass-baritone John Relyea. Set to music of George Frederic Handel with John Milton's poetry sung in English, and watercolored sets inspired by William Blake, this garners the resources to show why L'Allegro, like Morris, is held in such high regard.

May 5-7, 7:30 p.m.; Sun., May 8, 2 p.m., 2011

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