The opera has been revised since its December 2002 debut at the Royal Opera House in London, which received mixed reviews but was sold out for its entire run. This new staging by Markus Bothe, a co-production shared with the Vienna Volksoper and Deutsche Oper Berlin, replaces the stage realism of the Covent Garden world premiere with a more abstract approach.

The principal cast members, however, remain the same as in London: Angelika Kirchschlager reprises her lavishly praised portrayal of the title role, with Rod Gilfry (alternating with Scott Hendricks) as Nathan, Gordon Gietz as Stingo and Dale Duesing as the Narrator.

Marin Alsop, the music director-designate of the Baltimore and a 2005 recipient of the MacArthur "genius award" fellowship, conducts the six performances through October 9.

Information on and tickets for Sophie's Choice and the rest of Washington National Opera's 2006-07 season are available at www.dc-opera.org.