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Composer

 

Herschel Garfein is a renowned American composer, librettist, and stage director. He was born on August 8, 1954, in New York City, United States. Garfein grew up in a family of musicians, and his parents were both opera singers. His father, Leonard Garfein, was a baritone, and his mother, Lorraine Serabian, was a soprano. Garfein's parents were his first musical influences, and he grew up listening to classical music and opera. Garfein started playing the piano at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. He attended the High School of Music and Art in New York City, where he studied composition and piano. After high school, Garfein went on to study at the Juilliard School, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in composition. He later earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in musical theater writing from New York University. Garfein's early works were primarily for the theater, and he wrote music and lyrics for several off-Broadway productions. In 1985, he wrote the music and lyrics for the musical "The Beach Boys of Broadway," which was produced off-Broadway. The show received positive reviews, and Garfein's music was praised for its catchy melodies and clever lyrics. In the 1990s, Garfein began to focus more on classical music and opera. He wrote his first opera, "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead," in 1991. The opera was based on the play by Tom Stoppard and was well-received by audiences and critics alike. Garfein's music was praised for its complexity and emotional depth. Garfein continued to write operas throughout the 1990s and 2000s. In 1996, he wrote "The Passion of Jonathan Wade," which was based on the true story of a Civil War soldier who was executed for desertion. The opera was praised for its powerful music and emotional impact. In 2002, Garfein wrote "Rosa," an opera based on the life of civil rights activist Rosa Parks. The opera premiered at the Houston Grand Opera and was later performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Garfein's music was praised for its ability to capture the spirit of the civil rights movement and the courage of Rosa Parks. Garfein's most recent opera, "A Game of Hearts," premiered in 2018 at the National Opera Center in New York City. The opera is a modern retelling of the classic fairy tale "The Princess and the Pea." Garfein's music was praised for its whimsical and playful nature. In addition to his work as a composer, Garfein is also a librettist and stage director. He has written the libretti for several of his operas, as well as for other composers. He has also directed productions of his own operas and other works. Garfein's music is known for its emotional depth and complexity. He often draws on historical events and figures for inspiration, and his music is praised for its ability to capture the spirit of these events and figures. His operas have been performed at major opera houses and festivals throughout the United States and Europe. In addition to his work as a composer, Garfein is also a professor of music at the City College of New York. He has taught composition, music theory, and opera production at the college since 1991. Overall, Herschel Garfein is a talented and accomplished composer, librettist, and stage director. His music is known for its emotional depth and complexity, and his operas have been performed at major opera houses and festivals throughout the world.

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