MOR Returns to San Francisco
Presidio Theatre
World Premiere!, Jake Heggie and Gene Scheer’s new MOR-commissioned opera Before It All Goes Dark was inspired by a remarkable true story reported by Howard Reich in the Chicago Tribune. It shares the transformative journey of an ailing Vietnam war veteran who learns decades later that he is the heir to a priceless art collection stolen by the Nazis. His arduous voyage to Prague in search of this legacy leads him to embrace an identity that had been hidden from him, and through art he discovers a deeper truth in his life. Featuring bass-baritone Ryan McKinny and mezzo soprano Megan Marino. This new piece will be paired in an exciting double bill with a new production of Heggie and Scheer’s Another Sunrise. Starring soprano Caitlin Lynch, this is an intimate portrait of an Auschwitz survivor’s struggle to find words capable of describing harrowing, unimaginable situations to people who weren’t there. Together, the two operas are a profound tribute to the restorative power of memory.
Meet The Artists
Caitlin Lynch
Caitlin Lynch is one of the most promising young sopranos on the threshold of a prominent career. She was awarded first-place in the 2008 Houston Grand Opera Competition, and subsequently made her main-stage Houston debut as Hero in Beatrice et Benedict, Female Soloist in the American premiere of Chorus!
Ryan McKinny
Recognized by Opera News as “one of the finest singers of his generation,” American bass-baritone Ryan McKinny has earned his reputation as an artist with something to say. His relentless curiosity informs riveting character portrayals and beautifully crafted performances, reminding audiences of their shared humanity with characters on stage and screen.
Megan Marino
Megan Marino is a multi-faceted musical artist with interests spanning many genres. Growing up in the Philadelphia area, she studied piano and acting in regional theaters and has since performed at the Metropolitan Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Houston Grand Opera, and many others. She has been praised by Opera News as “a gifted actress with a strong, appealing voice, graced by a rich lower register,” and for singing trouser roles with “swagger” and “vocal audacity.” A dual citizen of the U.S. and Italy, Megan joins MOR for the first time this spring in MOR’s newly-commissioned Jake Heggie/Gene Scheer opera.