Showtime: Steven Heitzer performs in Charlie Parker’s Yardbird, the first world premiere in almost four decades for Opera Philadelphia. It will be on stage in the Perelman Theater at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts through June 14.
He was one of the most revered jazz musicians of his time. And now, 60 years after his death, Charlie Parker, the Grammy Award-winning legendary saxophonist, is the subject of Charlie Parker’s Yardbird, the first world premiere in almost four decades for Opera Philadelphia.
Set after-hours in the famed New York City jazz club Birdland, the production will be staged through June 14 in the Perelman Theater at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.
Daniel Schnyder, a composer and saxophonist who works in jazz and classical music, is responsible for the opera. But, says Schnyder, “Yardbird is not a jazz opera. It’s made for classical singers and musicians.”
One of those classically trained musicians is longtime Northeast resident Steven Heitzer, who has been a member of the Opera Company Orchestra since 1999. Growing up playing the trumpet since his elementary school days at the former Bustleton Elementary School, he continued his musicianship all through his days at George Washington High School.
“Then I took a brief departure from music when I entered Drexel University to study chemical engineering, but I couldn’t stay away from my trumpet or from music,” he said. “So after one year, I transferred to Temple University for a degree in music education, and later to Manhattan School of Music for my graduate degree.”
He then moved back to Philadelphia, to marriage and a happy life living in the same house where he grew up. He began teaching and doing odd jobs in order to make a living, all the while attempting to build a career in classical music, as well as build his reputation.
“Luckily, I built up a fine reputation, as a good trumpet player, as someone who is responsible, prepared and always on time. And in this business, reputation is everything. Today, I feel extremely blessed to be able to do what I love doing,” Heitzer said.
He’s particularly fond of playing music for this opera. Echoing Schnyder, Heitzer said, “Parker was a jazz musician, but this opera is written for classical opera instrumentation. The story of Charlie Parker is set in opera format, although the music is very jazz-oriented. So even though it sounds as if we’re improvising, as you would do in jazz, we’re actually playing notes that have been given to us in very specific and designed rhythms.”
Today, at 56, Heitzer is able to make good use out of the trumpet he loves so much, and seems especially adept at playing music for this opera.
“I grew up listening to jazz, all kinds of jazz, including the music of Charlie Parker. And my wife Kelly is a jazz vocalist and music therapist. So I feel quite comfortable playing for this opera - — even though we’re not really improvising.”
When Heitzer is not playing with the Opera Company, he is a member of the Philadelphia Brass, Fairmount Brass Quartet, the Reading Symphony and others. He also performs frequently with the Delaware Symphony, the Pennsylvania Ballet Orchestra, the Walnut Street Theater and more.
Heitzer’s main musical interest when he’s not playing is arranging music, and he has scored nearly 200 brass arrangements for various groups around the Philadelphia area.
“I have no statistics or scientific proof on the subject, but I would bet half the population has to do something they don’t enjoy doing just to make money to use for something they do enjoy. So I feel so blessed. Every day, I get up and have a chance to make music — beautiful music like this new opera that’s never been done before,” he concludes. ••
For times and ticket information, call 215–893–1018 or visit operaphila.org
