Role

:

Composer  

Birth

:

January 12, 1955 in Long Beach, NY

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Vocal

 

Lori Laitman is a renowned American composer of classical music, known for her vocal compositions that have been performed in various prestigious venues across the world. Born on July 22, 1955, in New York City, Laitman grew up in Long Island, where she developed a passion for music at a young age. Her parents were both music lovers, and her father was a cantor, which exposed her to the world of music from an early age. Laitman began her musical journey by learning to play the piano at the age of six. She later studied music theory and composition at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, where she earned her Bachelor of Music degree. She then went on to pursue a Master of Music degree in composition at Yale University, where she studied under the tutelage of renowned composers such as Jacob Druckman and Martin Bresnick. After completing her studies, Laitman began her career as a composer, focusing primarily on vocal music. Her compositions are known for their emotional depth and lyrical beauty, and they often explore themes of love, loss, and the human condition. Her works have been performed by some of the world's leading vocalists, including Renée Fleming, Susan Graham, and Thomas Hampson. One of Laitman's most notable works is her song cycle, "The Seed of Dream," which was commissioned by the Marilyn Horne Foundation and premiered in 2008. The cycle consists of six songs, each based on a poem by a different female poet. The cycle explores themes of love, loss, and the search for identity, and it has been praised for its emotional depth and musical beauty. Another notable work by Laitman is her opera, "The Scarlet Letter," which is based on the classic novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne. The opera premiered in 2016 at Opera Colorado and has since been performed by several other opera companies. The opera explores themes of love, betrayal, and redemption and has been praised for its powerful music and emotional depth. In addition to her vocal compositions, Laitman has also written instrumental works, including chamber music and orchestral pieces. Her instrumental works are known for their lyrical beauty and emotional depth, and they often explore themes of nature and the human condition. Laitman has received numerous awards and honors for her work as a composer, including the Opera America Discovery Grant, the Aaron Copland Award, and the American Academy of Arts and Letters Award in Music. She has also been a fellow at the MacDowell Colony and the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts. In addition to her work as a composer, Laitman is also a dedicated educator and has taught composition at various institutions, including the University of Colorado and the University of Denver. She has also served as a mentor for young composers through programs such as the American Composers Forum and the New York Youth Symphony. Overall, Lori Laitman is a highly respected composer of classical music, known for her emotional depth and lyrical beauty. Her vocal compositions, in particular, have been praised for their ability to capture the human experience and explore complex themes of love, loss, and the search for identity. With a career spanning several decades, Laitman continues to be a leading voice in the world of classical music and a source of inspiration for young composers around the world.

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