“To compose an opera,” by Jay Nordlinger

“To compose an opera,” by Jay Nordlinger

The Tin Angel is a new opera by Daniel Asia, the American composer born in 1953. It is based on a novel of the same name by Paul Pines (1941–2018). Pines wrote the libretto. The opera will be premiered in New York at the end of this month. For information, go here. And now, a Q&A with the composer. Jay Nordlinger: Have you ever written an opera before? Daniel Asia: No, this is my first opera—but I have written many song-cycles and songs; other w…