An Israelite with strength of Biblical proportion and a fate to match, a destitute family traveling across Dust Bowl America, poor artists of Paris and a kidnapped Italian woman -- these hardly are the sort of pick-me-ups one may be seeking during these uncertain economic times. But such are the tales that can make for good opera, which has the ability to give voice to the oppressed and downtrodden in ways real life almost never can.

As the Pittsburgh Opera unveils its 2008-09 season, it promises to challenge audiences and itself with a new opera and three classics whose music tugs not only at the heart but at our psyche: Camille Saint-Saens' "Samson & Dalila," Ricky Ian Gordon's "The Grapes of Wrath," Giacomo Puccini's "La Boheme" and Gioachino Rossini's "The Italian Girl in Algiers."

"The Italian Girl in Algiers" and "The Grapes of Wrath" -- the latter a contemporary opera that will receive only its third showing ever -- will be new for the company. Stephanie Blythe will give her role debut as Dalila to open the season, which will end with another renowned mezzo-soprano: Vivica Genaux returning to the role for which she has no peers in the world, Isabella in "Italian Girl."

While the plots may all be dramatic, the operatic styles are dramatically different. "Samson & Dalila" is French grand opera, complete with a ballet; "La Boheme" is Italian verismo (characters represent real people); "The Italian Girl in Algiers" is a buffa (comic) opera with serious undertones; and "The Grapes of Wrath" is American contemporary with a dash of Broadway.

"I am glad about the range of it," says Christopher Hahn, artistic director of the Opera. Each of the operas will have runs of four performances. The company's music director Antony Walker will conduct all but "Grapes."

Hahn also is thrilled about having Blythe on board again. She is already singing Amneris in the company's spring production of Verdi's "Aida," also a debut role for the singer, making two in 2008 in Pittsburgh.

"It is a virtue for a company of our level to be granted the imprimatur of major artists wanting to debut here," he says. "[Some singers] feel safe or feel we give them time to do what they need or [some feel] the pressure of the international stage is not here. That is why it has been a conscious approach for me. In addition, the audience gets the excitement of experiencing this for the first time."

"Samson & Dalila" will be a traditional production that brings out the "spectacle of singing" not only in terms of many choruses and potent solos and duets, but also with some actual spectacles, such as the famous Bacchanal and the destruction of the Temple. Michele de la Reza and Peter Kope of Attack Theater will provide the choreography. Opposite Blythe will be dramatic tenor Mark Lundberg as Samson, a role that is nearly as demanding as its character is strong. Pittsburgh Opera last staged "Samson" in 1992.

From the exalted to the untouchables, the Benedum stage in November will take a 180-degree turn for an operatic version of John Steinbeck's novel about Depression-era America, "The Grapes of Wrath." Gordon's score is something of a mix between operatic and popular music. His work has been primarily for the Broadway stage, and he has added several musical twists to capture the Joads' desperate trek across the country.

"It is a journey, a narrative that meanders across the American psyche," says Hahn. "Musically it moves you across America, and that is an unusual thing for an opera to do, although it is all very organic." An Andrews Sisters-inspired tune in a diner and a square-dance scene are two examples. The three-act opera premiered at Minnesota Opera in 2007 (in a co-production with Pittsburgh Opera) and was produced by Utah Opera, but Gordon has rewritten some of the score. The opera isn't meant to better the novel any more than films do, but to bring out other elements.

"When you hear the story unfold in song there is somehow an ability to get under the skin of the characters instantaneously," says Hahn. "Also the color of what they are living in and experiencing becomes so evident."

The production, in English, will call for some ambient miking of the singers. "They are going to sing with their full voices," says Hahn, who adds that Gordon has requested microphones because of his background writing for Broadway, in which the practice is assumed. "He is bringing the opera world and Broadway world together. His orchestration is very powerful and his writing for the voice is informed. His background for writing songs comes right out."

Among the large cast are singers Danielle Pastin (Rosasharn), Elizabeth Bishop (Ma Joad), Anna Singer (Granma), Sean Pannikar (Jim Casy) and Peter Halverson (Pa Joad).

March and April bring the return of a classic in "La Boheme" in a traditional telling. It marks the return of tenor Frank Lopardo (Pinkerton in this season's "Madama Butterfly"), who will sing the role of Rodolfo, with Pamela Armstrong as his Mimi. Also returning to the company are David Adam Moore (who stepped in for Nathan Gunn in last season's "Billy Budd") as Marcello and Kevin Glavin (Benoit and Alcindoro).

Not so is the final opera of the season, "The Italian Girl in Algiers." In its first production ever by the Pittsburgh company, the action is set in the 1930s as Isabella (Genaux) is "reincarnated as an Amelia Earhart-style aviatrix [who] has crash landed in Morocco and she is desperately trying not to end up in the harem and she uses all of her wiles to do it," says Hahn. "It is a hoot."

Tenor William Burden sings Lindoro; Earle Patriarco, Taddeo; and -- in his Pittsburgh debut -- Italian bass Paolo Pecchioli, Mustafa.

The Pittsburgh Opera Center will put on two shows next season: Gaetano Donizetti's "Don Pasquale" at CAPA and a benefit concert, Opera Cabaret, at Theater Square. "It is gorgeous music, but it is silly," Hahn says of "Pasquale." He says the younger cast plays into the strengths of the humorous lesson in love and marriage. "I think with a younger cast it changes its feeling. All that fun stuff will bubble through."

Performances take place at the Benedum Center, Downtown, and will be conducted by music director Antony Walker unless otherwise noted.

• Oct. 18-26: "Samson & Dalila" by Camille Saint-Saens.
• Nov. 15-23: "The Grapes of Wrath" by Ricky Ian Gordon. Richard Buckley, conductor.
• March 28-April 5, 2009: "La Boheme" by Giacomo Puccini.
• May 2-10, 2009: "The Italian Girl in Algiers" by Gioachino Rossini.
• Season subscription packages range from $41-$562. More information: 412-281-0912, ext. 216, or www.pittsburghopera.org.
• Pittsburgh Opera Center 2008-09
• Feb. 7-15, 2009: "Don Pasquale," at CAPA Theater, Downtown, in a new Pittsburgh Opera production.
• March 2, 2009: Pittsburgh Opera Cabaret (benefit concert) at Theater Square, Downtown. Tickets: $50-$200.