Role

:

Conductor

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Crossover

 

 

Opera

 

Peter Sellars is a renowned American theater director, opera director, and professor of world arts and cultures at the University of California, Los Angeles. He was born on September 27, 1957, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to a family of academics. His father, Robert Sellars, was a renowned professor of philosophy, and his mother, Sally, was a professor of art history. Sellars grew up in a family that valued the arts and education. He attended Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, where he developed an interest in theater and music. He went on to study at Harvard University, where he earned a degree in English and American literature. During his time at Harvard, Sellars became involved in the theater scene and directed several productions. After graduating from Harvard, Sellars moved to New York City to pursue a career in theater. He quickly gained recognition for his innovative and provocative productions, which often tackled social and political issues. In 1983, he directed a production of Mozart's opera "Don Giovanni" at the Pepsico Summerfare festival in Purchase, New York. The production was a critical and commercial success and launched Sellars' career as an opera director. Sellars went on to direct numerous productions of operas by Mozart, Handel, and other classical composers. He was known for his unconventional interpretations of these works, which often incorporated contemporary themes and imagery. In 1986, he directed a production of Handel's "Orlando" at the Glyndebourne Festival in England, which was widely praised for its bold and imaginative staging. Sellars also directed productions of plays by Shakespeare, Chekhov, and other playwrights. In 1990, he directed a production of "The Merchant of Venice" at the Public Theater in New York City, which starred Ron Leibman as Shylock. The production was controversial for its portrayal of Shylock as a sympathetic character, and it sparked a heated debate about the play's anti-Semitic themes. In addition to his work in theater, Sellars has also been involved in the world of classical music. He has collaborated with numerous composers, including John Adams, Philip Glass, and Kaija Saariaho, on new operas and other works. In 1991, he directed the premiere of Adams' opera "The Death of Klinghoffer" at the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie in Brussels. The opera, which tells the story of the hijacking of the Achille Lauro cruise ship by Palestinian terrorists in 1985, was controversial for its portrayal of the terrorists as sympathetic characters. Sellars has received numerous awards and honors for his work in the arts. In 1998, he was awarded a MacArthur Fellowship, commonly known as the "genius grant," for his contributions to the field of theater. He has also been awarded the Erasmus Prize, the Gish Prize, and the Polar Music Prize, among others. Sellars continues to be an influential figure in the world of theater and classical music. He has directed productions at major opera houses and theaters around the world, and he has taught at several universities, including the University of California, Los Angeles, and the University of Southern California. His innovative and thought-provoking productions have challenged audiences and pushed the boundaries of what is possible in the world of theater and classical music.

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