Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

February 14, 1903

Death

:

October 29, 1986

Genre

:

Opera

 

 

Vocal

 

Abel Meeropol was a classical music composer who was born on February 10, 1903, in the Bronx, New York City. He was the son of Russian Jewish immigrants who had fled the pogroms in their homeland. Meeropol grew up in a working-class family and attended DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx. He was a gifted student and excelled in his studies, particularly in English and literature. Meeropol's interest in music began at an early age. He taught himself to play the piano and was soon composing his own music. He was particularly drawn to classical music and was inspired by the works of composers such as Beethoven, Mozart, and Bach. He also had a deep appreciation for jazz and was influenced by the music of Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong. After graduating from high school, Meeropol attended City College of New York, where he studied English and became involved in left-wing politics. He was a member of the Young Communist League and was active in the labor movement. He also began writing poetry and short stories, which were published in various left-wing publications. In the 1930s, Meeropol began to focus more on music and began composing songs. He wrote several songs for the labor movement, including "The Strange Fruit," which became one of his most famous compositions. The song was a powerful indictment of racism and lynching in the United States and was later recorded by Billie Holiday, who made it a hit. Meeropol continued to compose music throughout his life and wrote several operas, including "The House I Live In," which was based on his experiences growing up in the Bronx. He also wrote several symphonies and chamber works, which were performed by orchestras and ensembles around the world. Despite his success as a composer, Meeropol is perhaps best known for his activism. He was a committed leftist and was involved in various progressive causes throughout his life. He was a vocal opponent of racism and was active in the civil rights movement. He also opposed the death penalty and was a member of the National Committee to Abolish the Death Penalty. Meeropol's activism often put him at odds with the government, and he was investigated by the FBI during the McCarthy era. He was also targeted by the House Un-American Activities Committee and was called to testify before the committee in 1955. He refused to answer questions about his political beliefs and was subsequently blacklisted from the entertainment industry. Despite the challenges he faced, Meeropol continued to compose music and remained committed to his political beliefs. He died on October 30, 1986, at the age of 83. Today, he is remembered as a talented composer and a passionate activist who used his music to speak out against injustice and inequality.

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