The massive work for orchestra, big band, and chorus was first heard on the West Coast 21 years ago, two days after 9/11.
Bay Area concertgoers with a long memory might recall a royal night at the opera in 1977.
The annual festival that places a dozen grand pianos throughout the San Francisco Botanical Garden has a special opening concert planned.
The tenor sings Edgardo in Lucia di Lammermoor starting this month, and he shares the special chemistry he has with the company.
