By Randi Bjornstad
Ashley Hastings
Ashley Hastings is at it again. Not only is he president of Eugene Opera’s board of directors, he’s also an opera composer who currently is working on two new works, and will debut parts of them during a free concert on March 28, 2026.
(Special Note: This concert is advertised as For Mature Audiences.)
Here’s a thumbnail description of the two new operas-in-progress:
Act 1 of Dying of Desire: Based on the novel by Glenn Harris — “Clint McCall and Devon Malone, a detective duo in Portland (Oregon), juggle three mysteries while trying to figure out if they are in love.
Act1, Scene 1 of Higher Education: “A troubled faculty couple and a naive student couple become entangled in a web of secret liaisons and betrayal.”
(In both cases, Hastings is the originator of the music and libretto, as well as the story in Higher Education.)
The performers include many well-known to Eugene-area audiences, as well as some less-familiar names: Jocelyn Thomas, Alyse Jamieson, Esteban Zúñiga Calderón, Zachary Lenox, Brooke Cagno, Erika Rauer, Brandon Michael, Bill Hulings, Andrew Pham, and Glenn Harris.
Following are the details regarding the free performance. Those who wish to attend are asked to RSVP at surveymonkey.com/r/5BLT83X
Introduction of Operas in Progress, by Ashley Hastings
NOTE: For Mature Audiences
Titles: Dying of Desire and Higher Education
When: 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 28, 2026
Where: Emmaus Lutheran Church, 1250 W. 18th Ave., Eugene
Cost: Free
RSVP AT surveymonkey.com/r/5BLT83X
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