It’s been a rough year for the Los Angeles Opera. But the company has announced a bold next season, and seems to be moving into the passing lane. Mark Swed suggests the company is on the road to becoming a major force in American opera. “Five years ago, no operaphile would think to mention Los Angeles in the same breath as San Francisco and Chicago, American’s second and third opera cities, after New York. But compared with San Francisco Opera’s upcoming 81st season and Lyric Opera’s 49th season, our 17-year-old company looks to become not only their artistic equal next season, but perhaps even a leader.”