Photo by Drew Alitzer
"She did so much good with so bad a thing," said one of Zheng Cao's legion of friends yesterday afternoon at a memorial concert in the Opera House. The mezzo, who died in February, triumphed in performance and goodness through a series of medical crises for years.
There are many famous singers, but few as beloved as she was, sharing her gifts freely, helping others even when at death's door, and always funny and charming. Merola/Adler benefactor and Zheng's close friend, Suzanne Turley, recalls, "She came into Merola all sunshine and anticipation. She had been to Curtis by then. A couple of years later, at Villa Montalvo Merola performance, this is how I remember her:
It was a blazing hot day during a rehearsal. We were sitting in the stalls with Zheng, and one of the Chinese singers in Merola that year came to Zheng to ask how to say something in English. She whispered something to him. He left. Then she said to us "I told him to say WELCOME EARLY SHOPPERS TO K MART." We were doubled up. A few minutes later the "victim" came back and said to Zheng "They say to tell you that you shop at very cheap store!"
Celebrating her life and worldwide famous brave battle with cancer, the San Francisco Opera memorial included mezzo Frederica von Stade, composer Jake Heggie, sopranos Patricia Racette and Nicolle Foland, cellist Emil Miland, author Amy Tan, and singers from the Young Women’s Choral Project (which Zheng supported), among others.
Remembering her with speeches, recollections, tributes, opera arias, instrumental works, Chinese folk songs, and art songs, the event included a video tribute. At the request of Zheng's family, attendees were asked to wear red clothing or a red accent or accessory.
Zheng Cao performed in 16 San Francisco Opera productions, most notably and recently in the title role of the world premiere of The Bonesetter’s Daughter in 2008. She made her San Francisco Opera debut in 1995 as Siebel in Faust and returned to the company in roles including Idamante in Idomeneo, Cherubino in Le Nozze di Figaro, Nicklausse in The Tales of Hoffmann, and perhaps most memorably over the years, as Suzuki in Madama Butterfly. Last year, the Merola Opera Program established the Zheng Cao Opera Fund, which annually sponsors one incoming Merola artist, either an Asian/Pacific artist or a mezzo-soprano.
San Francisco Opera General Director David Gockley commented on her life and career:
Zheng had more than a lovely, fruity, lyric, mezzo-soprano voice. She infused every life situation around her with a sense of great joy, fun, and heartfelt sincerity. She was in a class by herself with regard to how people responded to her. Zheng had so many wonderful relationships with everyone she encountered, they were so heartfelt and beautiful, and she truly touched all of us in the most remarkable way. I am saddened by her passing, but I just know she is once again singing in some celestial ensemble.”