Role

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Composer

Birth

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October 21, 1978 in Lima, Peru

 

Jimmy Lopez was born on May 16, 1978, in Lima, Peru. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a composer and his mother a singer. Lopez began playing the piano at the age of five and started composing his own music at the age of 12. He studied at the National Conservatory of Music in Lima and later earned a degree in composition from the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru. Lopez's early works were influenced by the music of his native Peru, incorporating elements of Andean folk music into his compositions. He gained recognition in Peru for his work as a composer and conductor, and in 2002, he was awarded the National Prize for Culture by the Peruvian government. In 2004, Lopez moved to the United States to pursue further studies in composition. He earned a master's degree from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston and a doctorate from the University of California, Berkeley. During his time in the United States, Lopez's music began to incorporate a wider range of influences, including jazz and contemporary classical music. Lopez's compositions have been performed by orchestras and ensembles around the world, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the BBC Symphony Orchestra. His works have been commissioned by organizations such as the New York Philharmonic and the Aspen Music Festival. One of Lopez's most notable works is his opera "Bel Canto," which premiered at the Lyric Opera of Chicago in 2015. The opera is based on the novel of the same name by Ann Patchett and tells the story of a group of hostages held in a South American embassy. The opera received critical acclaim and was praised for its lush orchestration and emotional depth. Another notable work by Lopez is his "Peruvian Dances," a suite for orchestra that incorporates traditional Peruvian folk music. The piece was commissioned by the Los Angeles Philharmonic and premiered in 2013. The suite consists of six movements, each based on a different Peruvian dance style, and has been performed by orchestras around the world. Lopez's music often explores themes of identity and cultural heritage, drawing on his own experiences as a Peruvian composer living and working in the United States. His works have been praised for their emotional depth and technical skill, and he has been recognized as one of the leading composers of his generation. In addition to his work as a composer, Lopez is also an accomplished conductor and has led orchestras around the world. He has served as the music director of the Peruvian National Symphony Orchestra and has conducted the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the BBC Symphony Orchestra, among others. Lopez's contributions to classical music have been recognized with numerous awards and honors. In 2018, he was awarded the Guggenheim Fellowship for Music Composition, and in 2019, he was named a MacArthur Fellow, receiving a "genius grant" from the MacArthur Foundation. In conclusion, Jimmy Lopez is a Peruvian-born composer and conductor who has gained international recognition for his works that incorporate elements of traditional Peruvian folk music with contemporary classical music. His compositions have been performed by orchestras and ensembles around the world, and he has been recognized with numerous awards and honors for his contributions to classical music.

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