Additional performances are presented May 21 and 24.

The role of doomed Southern belle Blanche Du Bois in the Previn opera was written for Fleming, who created the part in 1998 when the San Francisco Opera presented its premiere.

Bass-baritone Ryan McKinny plays Stanley Kowalski, and soprano Stacey Tappan plays Stella. Tenor Anthony Dean Griffey, who originated the role of Harold "Mitch" Mitchell in 1998, performs the role in L.A.

The operatic adaptation of Tennessee Williams' play is conducted by Patrick Summers and performed at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

"Clinging desperately to a masquerade of Southern grace, Blanche DuBois moves into her sister’s cramped apartment, creating all the wrong kinds of sparks with her crude brother-in-law," press notes state. "When dark truths about Blanche's past begin to emerge, her world comes apart at the seams in a spiral of violence and madness."

Fleming, who has sung the role of Blanche in performances at Carnegie Hall and at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, told Los Angeles Times that Blanche is "always a thrilling challenge" to play. "She is an iconic character of the American stage, and as realized for the opera by my cherished friend, the brilliant composer and Hollywood legend André Previn, I think she's compelling in new ways, for new audiences."

Visit laopera.com for more information.