FanFaire Foundation presents acclaimed American opera composer Jake Heggie and well-known mezzo-soprano Suzanna Guzman in a not-to-be-missed event at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 3, at the Neurosciences Institute Auditorium. Described by Heggie as “kind of a recital,” the affair is titled “Writing Opera Today: An Afternoon of Arias and Songs.” Ev Laserma of FanFaire promises an inside look at the art form, from inspiration to exposition, or, if you will, from the writing to the singing. Knowing the ease and sensibility of both composer and singer, the writer can guarantee that Laserma’s statement that the program will include “informative and delightful commentaries” by both is a foregone conclusion. Heggie, who is known worldwide for his highly successful opera “Dead Man Walking,” was acclaimed last April when Dallas Opera presented the world premiere of his most recent opera, “Moby-Dick,” with libretto by Gene Scheer. “Moby-Dick” was commissioned by a consortium of five opera companies, including San Diego Opera, where it will be produced in January 2012. Heggie has been writing songs for singers since he was a lad, influenced by his father’s extensive record collection. After moving to the West Coast, he studied with Ernst Bacon, known for his attention to the color and inflection of words, who impressed upon Heggie the importance of setting poems by the likes of Whitman, Emerson, Melville and Dickinson. Like his mentor, Heggie (www.jakeheggie.com) has composed well over 200 songs. His latest CD release is “Passing by: Songs by Jake Heggie, available on Avie. Heggie provides piano accompaniment to Guzman’s performance of arias and songs. In addition, he plays the prelude to “Moby-Dick.” Among the works Guzman will sing are arias from Heggie’s operas “Dead Man Walking” and “Three Decembers” and selections from his song cycle “Paper Wings,” with text by Frederica von Stade. Guzman has had a distinguished career in opera and is known for appearances at the Metropolitan Opera, Italy’s Spoleto Festival and San Diego Opera, and notably for her signature role as Carmen, a role she has sung more than a hundred times in major houses worldwide. In addition to her vocal aplomb, Guzman is a marvelous actress with personality and an easy, humor-filled stage presence. Tickets for “Writing Opera Today: An Afternoon of Arias and Songs with Jake Heggie and Suzanna Guzman” range from $30 (adult) to $12 (student) and are available online at http://www.fanfairefoundation.org and at the door. The Neurosciences Institute is located at 10640 John J. Hopkins Drive. — Performing arts writer Charlene Baldridge’s poetry has been set to music by Jake Heggie since 2004 when he premiered his song cycle, “Winter Roses.” Baldridge’s poem “Motherwit” is sung on “Passing By” by Frederica von Stade and Susan Graham.
