Inspired by the tradition of Sherlock Holmes, the detective tale, A Capacity for Evil, is based on an original story conceived by the composer, Evan L. Snyder, and by tenor John Riesen. The story follows Daniel, a famed 1930s private eye, who, with help from his partner Doyle and his fiancée Angelica, works to unravel a series of grisly religious murders occurring on New Years Eve before the unknown murderer is able to realize the full scope of his perverse aims. As tensions rise and time runs short, the bonds between the three friends are tested - the limits of human compassion and trust tried against the dark ordeals of this imperceptible murderer. 

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A Capacity for Evil was premiered in September 2018 with Opera MODO in piano/vocal production. The chamber orchestration was premiered in 2023, by Opera Las Vegas.

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A Capacity for Evil was a winner of the 2017 Frontiers Competition and selections were performed as a part of the Forth Worth Opera Festival in May 2017. ​