I had never heard of writer Ann Patchett until my wife kept urging me to read this novel someone had lent her, 'Bel Canto'. When she told me it was about an opera star it piqued my interest. I was not disappointed. I even figured out which current diva the main character, Roxane Coss, is based on (Renee Fleming). But, more than that, I was engrossed and read it in two sittings. Then, I heard a rumor that Ann Patchett was herself writing an opera libretto. Hmmm, interesting, I thought, so I went looking on the Web, and found this note at the website of ArtsWire: "Aaron Jay Kernis' opera for Santa Fe is also his first opera. It will be based on the novel, BEL CANTO by Ann Patchett. 'The story describes a gala birthday party being given to honor a Japanese industrialist in an unnamed South American country, rebels enter the house and take the guests hostage. As the story unfolds, what happens to both the guests and the terrorists in their ensuing days of captivity is revealed,' the Santa Fe Opera notes." Aaron Jay Kernis is one of the hottest youngish American composers currently working. And he is certainly capable of setting dramatic and lyrical melodies to set off the operatic plot of this grand book. Scott Morrison