Heart of a Soldier preview from San Francisco Opera ***WORLD PREMIERE***

MUSIC BY CHRISTOPHER THEOFANIDIS • LIBRETTO BY DONNA Di NOVELLI • BASED ON THE BOOK BY JAMES B. STEWART AND THE LIFE STORIES OF SUSAN RESCORLA, RICK RESCORLA AND DANIEL J. HILL • COMMISSIONED BY SAN FRANCISCO OPERA

WORLD PREMIERE

What makes a hero? The question was never an academic one for Rick Rescorla, a British-born adventurer who fought in Vietnam before settling in New York as head of security for a brokerage firm based in the World Trade Center. On September 11, 2001, his extraordinary courage and calmness in a crisis paid off: Rescorla led all of the 2,700 people under his care to safety—literally singing them down the stairs—before heading back into the burning building for one last check. He never emerged.

To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the devastating terrorist attacks, San Francisco Opera presents the world premiere of Heart of a Soldier, which tells the dramatic story of Rescorla's extraordinary life. The Company's latest commission features a dynamic and soulful score by Christopher Theofanidis, "one of the world's most sought-after living composers" (Seattle Times). Baritone Thomas Hampson, renowned for his "clarion power and burnished tone" (Los Angeles Times), sings the role of Rick Rescorla in this story of enduring friendship and late-found love. Tenor William Burden is Daniel J. Hill, Rescorla's best friend and fellow soldier, and soprano Melody Moore portrays Susan, Rescorla's wife and soul mate.

American composer Christopher Theofanidis is best-known for Rainbow Body, one of the most performed orchestral works of the past decade. His dramatic oratorio The Refuge "drew standing ovations and bravos" (The New York Times) at its Houston Grand Opera premiere in 2007.

Librettist Donna Di Novelli wrote the lyrics for Rachel Portman's 2009 musical Little House on the Prairie. Director Francesca Zambello, San Francisco Opera's Artistic Adviser, created the acclaimed production of Porgy and Bess recently presented by the Company, as well as this past summer's critically acclaimed Ring cycle. Conductor Patrick Summers, Principal Guest Conductor for San Francisco Opera, is music director of the Houston Grand Opera; his many San Francisco Opera productions include the world premieres of Dead Man Walking and A Streetcar Named Desire.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• 911
• 9/11
• September 11th
• Rick Rescorla
• Susan Rescorla
• Heart of a soldier
• Melody Moore
• Thomas Hampson
• William Burden
• CHRISTOPHER THEOFANIDIS
• Donna DiNovelli
• James Stewart

[alvaro85gr]

buen video y gran homenaje a “rick rescorla”, pero no me agrado el bastardo negro que sale vestido de soldado. lo resto es interesante y agradable.

[lalo10cr]

El cantante negro es el mejor, no eres mas que un asqueroso racista.

[stemborowski]

please read the book...the opera will mean more to you, i promise.

[lilibetp]

Wow!