The idea of an opera based on Ann Patchett's novel Bel Canto, a story of opera and terrorism intermingled, is hardly new. Aaron Jay Kernis was commissioned to write such a work for the Santa Fe Opera's 2006 season, but was unable to complete it because of personal losses he suffered at that time. (Kernis still hopes to write an opera.) Renée Fleming, who resembles the opera-singer character in Patchett's book, continued to pursue the material, and in the 2015-16 season a Bel Canto opera will be presented at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, where Fleming is a creative consultant. The name of the composer may be refreshing for those who have grown tired of seeing the same names attached to such announcements. Jimmy López, a gifted Peruvian-born composer with Finnish training, will undertake the task, working alongside the Cuban-American playwright Nilo Cruz. Stephen Wadsworth is to direct, Andrew Davis to conduct; Danielle de Niese will portray the Flemingesque lead. Andrew Patner has more.
