Night Flight to San Francisco

In 1996, my first opera, The Tibetan Book of the Dead, which I wrote with Jean Claude Van Itallie, premiered at The Houston Grand Opera Studio, and The American Music Theatre Festival (later, The Hal Prince Theatre). The opera was written under very unusual circumstances. My partner at the time, Jeffrey Grossi, was dying of AIDS. He wanted me to learn the Buddhist teachings, because he wanted to die as a Buddhist. I would have done anything for him. During this period, David Gockley, who was the General Director of Houston Grand Opera, came to New York to see what I could perhaps write for his company. We sat at Caf

At the time of his partner’s tragic death, Ricky Ian Gordon found solace in Tony Kushner’s play Angels in America, befriending the playwright to produce this touchingly beautiful setting. At the request of legendary soprano Renée Fleming, it will also be scored for soprano and orchestra for a string of concerts in 2012. An orchestral accompaniment is available on rental from the publisher. Dur.: 10’

At the time of his partner’s tragic death, Ricky Ian Gordon found solace in Tony Kushner’s play Angels in America, befriending the playwright to produce this touchingly beautiful setting. At the request of legendary soprano Renée Fleming, it will also be scored for soprano and orchestra for a string of concerts in 2012. An orchestral accompaniment is available on rental from the publisher. Dur.: 10’

At the time of his partner’s tragic death, Ricky Ian Gordon found solace in Tony Kushner’s play Angels in America, befriending the playwright to produce this touchingly beautiful setting. At the request of legendary soprano Renée Fleming, it will also be scored for soprano and orchestra for a string of concerts in 2012. An orchestral accompaniment is available on rental from the publisher. Dur.: 10’