Based in part on the timeless film It’s a Wonderful Life* (1946) and Philip Van Doren Stern’s short story The Greatest Gift (1943), composer Jake Heggie and librettist Gene Scheer’s opera is a holiday classic suitable for the whole family. Prior to its world premiere, artistic and music director Patrick Summers moderates a discussion with Heggie and Scheer. Excerpts are performed.
*The opera adaptation is by permission of Paramount Licensing, Inc. and co-commissioned by San Francisco Opera.
$40, $35 members and Friends of Works & Process.