An on-stage conversation with composer Jake Heggie about his career, musical inspirations and vision of the future of opera. Tonigh is one of three events inspired by ideas of re-conceptualizing and re-building through the music of renowned American composer Jake Heggie (more about the significance of Heggie in the next two events). The events are cast as re-conceptualizing ideals through the arts due to the discussion of the most important themes and ideas that his music brings to audiences in reference to justice, human nature, advocacy for women’s and gender equality (as in his Songs for Murdered Sisters, composed in response to the global epidemic of gender-based violence) as well as the theme of hope in the midst of unspeakable evil (think Holocaust; violence against gays and women). Open to the public. Free. Wednesday and Thursday 10/23 and 10/24: chamber, symphonic and art song concerts, 7:30 PM, Music Concert Hall.

“Arguably the world's most popular 21st-century opera and art song composer…” The Wall Street Journal

For more information email pablo.furman@sjsu.edu

Supported by the College of Humanities & the Arts’ Artistic Excellence Programming Grant