OPERA WATCH.(Brief Article)

1. When Philip Glass's opera The Marriages Between Zones Three, Four and Five had its U.S. premiere in June at the DePaul University Opera Theatre, SUSANNE MENTZER was among the faculty members present on opening night at the Merle Reskin Theatre in Chicago. Mentzer's student, MARY ATKINSON, sang the role of the A1 Ith of Zone Three. Mentzer has another important opening night on October 7, when she produces and performs in the tenth annual Jubilate Benefit, an event in support of Chicago's Bonaventure House, a residence for people living with AIDS. The Jubilate guest list this year includes RENEE FLEMING, BEN HEPPNER and DAVID DANIELS. For tickets and information, call 773-327-9921, ext. 335 or 132.

2. Soprano ANA MARIA MARTINEZ is Violetta in Los Angeles Opera's season-opening La Traviata next month. The San Juan, Puerto Rico native will make her Covent Garden debut in February, as Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni. She joins tenor ANDREA BOCELLI for a U.S. recital tour in April before ending her 2001-02 season back on the West Coast, as Micaela in San Francisco Opera's Carmen (July).

3. ANTON GUADAGNO, artistic director of Palm Beach Opera, was presented with the Recognition of Merit Award in a May 14 ceremony in Vienna in honor of thirty-five consecutive seasons conducting at the Wiener Staatsoper.

THE KAYE PLAYHOUSE at Manhattan's Hunter College and the WIENER KAMMEROPER will begin a ...