Daniel Pound Highlights 100-Year-Old Composer Kirke Mechem's Legacy in Upcoming Opera Tartuffe

Daniel Pound, MD, spoke with Kirke Mechem, a world-renowned composer based in San Francisco, about Mechem’s opera Tartuffe, which is based on Molière’s play. The opera will be performed in June by Pocket Opera, with shows in San Francisco, Berkeley, and Mountain View, in celebration of Mechem’s upcoming 100th birthday this summer. Dr. Pound hopes to share Mechem's inspiring story, showcasing the ongoing contributions of older adults to our world. Mechem has served as composer-in-residence at the University of San Francisco since 1963. At the age of 95, he composed the opera Befana, which was performed in December 2024 by the San Francisco Choral Society. Tickets for Tartuffe are available online. It is a rare opportunity to experience great music alongside a centenarian composer from San Francisco.