Deborah Drattell facts for kids

Deborah Drattell, born in 1956, is a talented American composer. She grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and first started her musical journey as a violinist. People often praise her as having a "remarkably original voice" in music. Her compositions, which are pieces of music she writes, have been performed by famous groups like the New York Philharmonic. She even changed a character's singing part in her opera Nicholas and Alexandra so that the famous singer Plácido Domingo could perform it.

Early Life and Learning

Deborah Drattell was born in Brooklyn, New York. She began playing the violin, which helped her build a strong musical background. Later, she decided to focus on writing music instead of just playing it. She went on to earn a special degree, a Ph.D., in composition from the University of Chicago. There, she learned from a well-known teacher named Ralph Shapey.

Her Musical Career

Deborah Drattell has written many different kinds of music, including operas and pieces for orchestras.

Operas She Wrote

Operas are like plays where the story is told mostly through singing. Deborah Drattell has written several:

• Festival of Regrets (1999): This was a short opera that first showed at the Glimmerglass Opera. It was also performed in New York City's Central Park.
• Lilith (2001): This was a longer opera that explored the story of a figure from ancient stories. It premiered at the New York City Opera.
• Nicholas and Alexandra (2003): This opera was created for the Los Angeles Opera. It told the story of the last royal family of Russia. The famous singer Plácido Domingo played the role of Rasputin in this opera.
• Marina (2003): This was another short opera. It was based on the life of a Russian poet named Marina Tsvetaeva.

Music for Orchestras and Small Groups

Deborah Drattell has also written music for large orchestras and smaller groups of musicians. While she was a special composer for the Denver Symphony and the New York City Opera, she created important works.

• Sorrow is Not Melancholy (1993): This piece was recorded by the Seattle Symphony. Her music has been played by many respected groups, including the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.

Helping Other Composers

From 1998 to 2001, Deborah Drattell was the Composer-in-Residence at the New York City Opera. This meant she was a special composer who worked closely with the opera company. During this time, she started a yearly event called "Showcasing American Composers." This event helped new and talented composers share their music with the world.

Her Musical Style

Deborah Drattell's music is often described as beautiful and full of emotion. Critics say her music is dramatic and can make you feel a lot. She is known for mixing traditional opera styles with newer, more modern ideas.

Her Life Today

Deborah Drattell lives in Brooklyn, New York. She lives with her husband, who is a doctor, and their four children.

Awards and Recognitions

Deborah Drattell has received many honors for her work, including:

• The Leonard Bernstein Fellowship in Composition at Tanglewood, a famous music festival.
• Commissions from important foundations like the Fromm Foundation.
• Grants from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and awards from ASCAP, a group that supports musicians.

Selected Operas

• Festival of Regrets (1999)
• Marina Tsvetaeva (2000)
• Lilith (2001)
• Nicholas and Alexandra (2003)
• Best Friends (2005)

Selected Orchestral Works

• Clarinet Concerto: Fire Dances (1986)
• The Fire Within (1989)
• Sorrow is not Melancholy (1993)

See also

In Spanish: Deborah Drattell para niños