[From www.sfcv.org, Dec. 12, 2002]

   The San Francisco Opera and Lyric Opera of Chicago have commissioned
   composer John Adams and librettist Alice Goodman to create a new opera
   based on the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer.

   The opera, with the current working title "Doctor Atomic," will feature
   historical figures including J. Robert Oppenheimer (baritone), Kitty
   Oppenheimer (mezzo-soprano), Edward Teller (bass), Mici Teller
   (mezzo-soprano), Edward and Elsie McMillan, Gen. Leslie Groves and a
   supporting cast of scientists, spies, US senators and people involved
   in the development and effects of the first atomic bomb. The world
   premiere will take place in the War Memorial Opera House in 2005.

   SFO music director Donald Runnicles will conduct the work and Peter
   Sellars has been named as the director. This is the third opera
   developed by the team of Adams, Goodman and Sellars, with previous
   collaborations on "Nixon in China" (premiered in Houston, 1987) and
   "The Death of Klinghoffer" (premiered in Brussels, 1991). The new
   opera will be San Francisco Opera's sixth recent commission, or
   co-commission, after "Dead Man Walking," "A Streetcar Named Desire,"
   "The Dangerous Liaisons," "Harvey Milk" and "The Death of Klinghoffer."

Janos Gereben/SF
www.sfcv.org
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