Tucson song fest to premiere new work inspired by Ruth Bader Ginsburg

“She knew all about my work. She was lobbying the National Washington Opera to make sure that ‘Dead Man Walking’ got there and lo and behold, that happened a few years later,” said Heggie, 60. “She was all excited about ‘Moby Dick’ coming to the Kennedy Center. And she was in the audience for the premiere of ‘Great Scott’ and other projects. She was really remarkable. I have a long correspondence with her both letters and emails.”

“What I Miss Most” is the second in the song festival’s Wesley Green Composer Project, which launched with the 2020 festival and a work by Richard Danielpour. The program, named after Green Valley resident Wesley Green, who provided the initial funding, taps noted composers to create new works that are premiered at the song festival.

“Commissions with the most important composers in the world today are a key component of our strategy to make (the festival) and Tucson an international cultural destination,” said festival coordinator George Hanson. “It also creates a sense of permanence for the festival.”

The hope also is that the commissioned works will have life beyond their premieres. Every time the new works are played, the program notes will include the song festival’s role in its creation.

Heggie said he is confident that will be the case with “What I Miss the Most.” After Monday’s premiere, Heggie and Barton will perform the piece for the Schubert Club in St. Paul, Minnesota, on May 12.