BY BETH WOOD CONTRIBUTOR San Diego Union-Tribune SEPT. 17, 2023 5 AM PT It took a few seemingly unrelated steps to lead acclaimed New York composer Ricky Ian Gordon to San Diego for the premiere of his chamber opera, “Autumn Valentine.” Because of COVID-related postponements, Gordon found himself in a gratifying but frustrating position in January 2022. He was simultaneously guiding two separate world premieres of his operas — both in Manhattan. The productions were Lincoln