Richard Sparks and Lee Holdridge began their writing partnership with their first commission for the LA Opera, Journey to Córdoba. Other works for the LAO: The Prospector; The Magic Dream; Tanis in America; Concierto para Mendez. Richard has translated and/or directed classics of the opera repertoire, most recently Don Giovanni (El Dorado Opera), Il Seraglio (Washington Symphony); Hansel and Gretel (LA Opera). He has written extensively in other media, and his lyrics have been recorded by talents as diverse as Eric Idle, Dom de Luise, Vanessa Williams and Placido Domingo.