 It has also commissioned such leading composers as Paul Chihara, Daniel Catán, William Kraft, Ana Lara, Tobias Picker, Christopher Theofanidis, Frank Ticheli and Chen Yi.“Symphonic Voices,” an initiative to return opera back to Orange County after the demise of Opera Pacific, was inspired by Music Director Carl St. Clair’s career as an opera conductor in Europe.The initiative began with the successful debut in 2012 of a concert-opera production of Puccini's “La Bohème,” followed in 2013 with Puccini's “Tosca,” in 2014, with Verdi's “La Traviata,” and in 2015 with Bizet's “Carmen.” These semi-staged productions have the full orchestra onstage and have included world-class opera stars, Pacific Chorale, acting, staging, video elements, costumes and props.