A high school football accident helped set the stage for a boy raised in a Cut and Shoot trailer to become a rising star in the world of international opera – and he’s back in Texas to show off his talents.

Michael Mayes, a 1994 graduate of Conroe High School, has the lead in the Ft. Worth Opera production of “Gloried Denied” – the fact-based story of Col. Jim Thompson, America’s longest-held prisoner of war.

“Thompson was held captive in Vietnam for more than nine years,” said Mayes. “This is a very compelling, gritty storyline – it’s a real tragedy.”

Captured six months after being deployed in Vietnam, Thompson endures horrific treatment, including five years in solitary confinement, four months of which is in a cage two feet wide, two feet tall and five feet long.

“The whole time he’s thinking of his wife and family back home,” said Mayes. “His wife, however, has moved on and wants military officials to declare him dead so she can get better benefits and advance her relationship with a new man in her life.”

Thompson comes home to an America he no longer recognizes after the culture revolution of the 60’s. There is no welcome for him – and his status of the longest-held POW is not realized by the media or the military. The opera features Thompson’s inner dialogue in various stages of his life – and ultimate death.

“He attempted suicide three times before finally dying alone in the Florida Keys,” said Mayes. “This is not your typical story with a happy ending – it has a real emotional impact and a connection with the audience.”

Portraying the mature Thompson is a great opportunity for Mayes whose introduction to professional opera seemed unlikely growing up.

“I was brought up in Cut and Shoot, living in a trailer for 14 years,” said Mayes. “Opera was not on my radar, I assure you.”

When he broke several fingers playing football, he was forced to give up typing class and choose between choir and drama as electives. Having sung in his church choir and considering the drama kids weird, the choice was easy.

“I thought it would be an easy A,” said Mayes. “It turned out pretty good.”

Mayes was awarded a scholarship to the University of North Texas and went on to study at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. His rich baritone voice attracted attention in the complex and demanding world of opera – leading to a mutually rewarding professional experience.

“There are no microphones, amplifiers or electronic enhancements for the voice,” said Mayes. “I like that purity of production.”

Mayes has been in a wide range of traditional and innovative opera productions. He is particularly pleased to be affiliated with “Glory Denied” because the storyline is one that connects with people who would be unlikely to attend or appreciate opera.

“This is a story that guys – especially veterans – can relate to,” said Mayes. “It’s not a happy story, but it is very thought-provoking.”

While Mayes concedes opera is not universally popular, he believes productions like “Glory Denied” will help draw more people to the art form. He has a series of commitments with other productions in the future, but acknowledged opera is far from a lucrative career. His advice to aspiring opera performers: marry someone rich.

“Anything in the arts takes a lot of sacrifice and commitment,” said Mayes. “If you can do anything else, do it. But if you can’t imagine doing anything else – follow the dream.”

“Glory Denied” debuts April 21 and runs through May 11 at the McDavid Studio of Bass Performance Hall in Ft. Worth. For information, visit www.fwopera.org.

Source: YourHoustonNews