Known for composing the book-turned-opera “Dead Man Walking,” UCLA alumnus and theater composer Jake Heggie returns to campus tell the timeless tale of the power of friendship.
In “Friendly Persuasion,” Heggie composes the late French composer Francis Poulenc’s life story, which has a theme as relevant today as it was during the composer’s lifetime. Heggie composed four songs to represent four distinct friendships that shaped Poulenc’s life.
“Friendly Persuasion,” in collaboration with Pacific Serenades, will play at the UCLA Faculty Center on Tuesday at 8 p.m.
Poulenc’s life, as depicted in “Friendly Persuasion,” ranges from him struggling to come out as a gay man to finding his voice during the Nazi occupation in France, all with the help of four friends. Similarly, Heggie recognizes influential friendships in shaping this production.
Heggie came to UCLA in 1981 specifically to study under Professor Johana Harris, but he ended up graduated with more than just a degree in composition. While here, he formed relationships that helped him find himself and change his perspective on the world.
“Some of the closest friendships of my life happened in Schoenberg Hall,” Heggie said. “Johana Harris was the one who taught me to trust my instincts as a musician and to really write from the heart … and to be brave.”
Also while in college, Heggie met Mark Carlson, who, in addition to teaching music theory and composition at UCLA, cofounded Pacific Serenades, a forum for showcasing music that caters almost exclusively to Southern Californian musicians. Carlson, who will also play the flute in Tuesday’s performance, created Pacific Serenades in hopes of allowing composers to write music that “bridges the gap” between traditional and new music, something he believes Heggie has championed.
Heggie “writes things that people can relate to,” Carlson said. “He writes stuff that people enjoy performing, which makes a big difference as it’s projected to an audience.”
Heggie appreciates the work Carlson does and acknowledges the progress he has made for composers.
“It really takes someone with real vision and passion to want to devote themselves to (chamber music), to see that it continues and thrives, and Mark’s that kind of person,” Heggie said.
As artistic director, Carlson approached Heggie about writing a piece for Pacific Serenades in 2001, after Heggie played some of his songs for Carlson’s composition class. Seven years later, Heggie revisits campus with the results of that collaboration.
Heggie has found success on a personal level and as a composer. When he’s not composing, Heggie focuses on passing on his knowledge by teaching masters classes around the country for young singers and composers.
“I always tell them, “˜Look, no matter what you do, no matter what it is that you choose, make sure you’re surrounded by people who love you for who you are, not what you do,’ and I think I learned that at UCLA more than anything,” Heggie said. “Part of making those kinds of friendships is recognizing when those people come into your life.”
As with all of his work as a composer, Heggie hopes “Friendly Persuasion” will move at least one audience member.
“We hope that when you work hard and create something like that, that it will touch someone in a way that maybe they haven’t thought about before,” Heggie said. “That’s what we all want when we go to a performance.”