Role

:

Composer

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

October 27, 1927 in York, PA

Death

:

February 20, 2019 in Minneapolis, MN

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Orchestral

 

 

Vocal

 

Dominick Argento was an American composer of classical music, known for his operas, song cycles, and choral works. He was born on October 27, 1927, in York, Pennsylvania, to Italian immigrant parents. His father was a shoemaker, and his mother was a homemaker. Argento showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of six. Argento's family moved to York, Pennsylvania, when he was a child, and he attended York High School. He continued his music studies at the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, Maryland, where he studied piano and composition. After completing his studies at Peabody, Argento went on to study at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in 1951 and a Master of Music degree in 1953. After completing his studies, Argento began his career as a composer and teacher. He taught at the University of Minnesota from 1958 to 1997, where he was a professor of composition and music theory. During his time at the University of Minnesota, Argento became known for his operas, which were performed by the Minnesota Opera and other companies around the world. Argento's first opera, "Colonel Jonathan the Saint," was premiered in 1957 by the Eastman Opera Theatre. The opera was based on a play by Thornton Wilder and was well-received by audiences and critics. Argento's next opera, "The Boor," was premiered in 1959 by the Minnesota Opera and was also well-received. Argento's most famous opera, "Postcard from Morocco," was premiered in 1971 by the Minnesota Opera. The opera is a surrealistic work that explores the themes of memory, identity, and the passage of time. The opera was a critical and commercial success and has been performed by opera companies around the world. In addition to his operas, Argento also composed numerous song cycles and choral works. His song cycles include "Six Elizabethan Songs," "From the Diary of Virginia Woolf," and "A Few Words About Chekhov." His choral works include "I Hate and I Love," "The Masque of Angels," and "The Andree Expedition." Argento's music is known for its lyricism, emotional depth, and dramatic intensity. He was influenced by a wide range of musical styles, including opera, jazz, and popular music. His music is often characterized by its use of complex harmonies, intricate rhythms, and rich textures. Argento received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including a Pulitzer Prize for Music in 1975 for his song cycle "From the Diary of Virginia Woolf." He was also awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship, a National Endowment for the Arts grant, and a MacArthur Fellowship. Argento continued to compose music until his death on February 20, 2019, at the age of 91. His legacy as a composer and teacher continues to inspire generations of musicians and music lovers around the world.

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