How Jake Heggie and Gene Scheer Changed This Guy’s Destiny
We all meet people who completely alter the trajectory of our lives. In the world of classical music, those people are often the creators who give us new ways to hear, think, and feel. For me, composer Jake Heggie and librettist Gene Scheer are two very special humans who did exactly that.
My journey into their creative universe began unexpectedly in 2012. I was called in as a last-minute substitution to conduct their new opera, Moby-Dick, in Calgary. For the uninitiated: yes, Moby-Dick is an opera, and yes, it is absolutely brilliant.
Working inside the sonic world of Heggie and the meaningful words of Scheer. To say the piece "fit like a glove" would be an understatement. I found myself innately drawn to the musical language and dramatic pacing of this masterpiece. Their storytelling is authentic, innovative, and thrilling. Like history's greatest theatrical partnerships—Mozart and Da Ponte, Puccini with Illica and Giacosa, or Rodgers and Hammerstein—this duo provides exactly what an audience needs to comprehend and absorb a mammoth narrative.
Moby-Dick was the spark. It set me down a career-defining path of conducting Heggie’s major works across the country, including Dead Man Walking, Three Decembers, Great Scott, If I Were You, and Two Remain. It has been the absolute honor of my artistic life to be trusted by these two masters with their music.
In the niche world of modern opera, Jake Heggie and Gene Scheer are absolute superstars. Individually, they are brilliant creators; together, they are an unstoppable powerhouse.
Breaking News: Heggie & Scheer Arrive in the Triad This November
Jake and Gene will be in the Triad from November 12–17! Audiences will have multiple opportunities to meet and interact with them through post-show talkbacks and exclusive Q&A sessions at both Wake Forest University and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA).
Featured Event: "The Art Songs of Jake Heggie"
A major highlight of their residency will take place on November 16 at 7:30 PM inside Brendle Hall at Wake Forest University. This special recital will showcase Heggie’s celebrated art songs—a collection that spans nearly 300 works and has fundamentally shaped American vocal literature. If you love live theater, poetry, and breathtaking music, this recital is a must-see.
Stay tuned for more information regarding ancillary events and exclusive interviews surrounding our November production.
To explore more of their work ahead of the production, visit Jake Heggie's Official Website and Gene Scheer's Official Website.
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