Mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves will sing in the world premiere of Elliot Goldenthal's "Grendel" at the Los Angeles Opera in May 2006.
The opera, based on the poem "Beowulf" and John Gardner's novel "Grendel," features a libretto by Julie Taymor and J.D. McClatchy and will be directed by Taymor.
Graves will play The Dragon in the performance, which will also star Eric Owens (Grendel), Richard Croft (The Blind Harpist), Jay Hunter Morris (Unferth) and Laura Claycomb (Queen Wealtheow).
After its debut, the opera will then be performed at the Lincoln Center Festival at the New York State Theater starting in July 2006.