Very little about Asmedogh in this chapter. Well, that's not really why they're there, though. Nick has a life to live, and his first leading role with a major opera company on top of it.
Name changes aren't all that unusual for performers. You'll be familiar with many of the Hollywood stories. But it happens in opera, too, The late Jane Angelovich, born in New England, became Gianna d'Angelo after she moved to Italy and became a leading soprano there. There are many others. Of late it's less common; actors, singers, etc., more usually stick to their baptised names and let the audiences lump it, but there are still some who prefer to re-christen themselves for the stage.