A dear friend wrote to me today, expressing his admiration for last night's performance of Beethoven's only opera "Fidelio" at the San Francisco Symphony. He eloquently pointed out:
"...It is, in a very special way, only fitting to listen to, and perform, Fidelio on this day, as the Supreme Court of the United States has ruled same sex marriage to be a constitutional right. Leonore is Justice. Still, with this historic ruling the battles will not be over. At any rate, the triumphant final scene is now Beethoven’s very apt salute in celebrating Gay Pride this weekend..."
I couldn't agree with him more. This piece, about the strength of the marriage bond, and it's ability to triumph over the forces of hate and evil, could not be a more appropriate piece to perform to celebrate the day. If you happen to be in the audience tonight and see some tears streaming down my face as we sing that final chorus, you'll know it's because this day is a day I never could have dreamed would come during my lifetime when I came out of the closet as a young teenager twenty years ago. That scared and vulnerable teenage self is still very much a part of my core, and to him - today is nothing short of a miracle.
