Gladys Smuckler Moskowitz facts for kids

Gladys Smuckler Moskowitz (born January 25, 1928 – died May 24, 2024) was an American musician. She was a singer, a composer, and a teacher.

She studied at Brooklyn College. She earned two degrees there. Later, she taught music and led choirs. She also wrote her own music.

When she performed, she was known as Gladys Young. She sang folk music in the United States and Europe.

In 2003, her opera The Fountain of Youth won an award. It was based on a story by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Her music has been performed around the world. Moskowitz passed away at the age of 96.

Gladys's Musical Works

Gladys Smuckler Moskowitz was known for her songs and chamber operas. A chamber opera is a short opera for a small group of musicians. Here are some of her selected works:

Operas and Music Dramas

• Chicken Little, The Sky Is Falling! A Satirical Chamber Opera. This opera was performed in Lexington, Kentucky, in 2009.
• The Fountain of Youth, a chamber opera. This opera was based on a story called "Dr. Heidegger's Experiment."
• The Masque of the Red Death, a music drama in two acts. This work was inspired by a story from Edgar Allan Poe.

Songs and Other Pieces

• Grass, a song based on a poem by Carl Sandburg.
• More than a Voice, another one of her compositions.
• Three Love Songs on Poems of Sara Teasdale: These songs are titled "Joy," "Advice to a Girl," and "Gifts." They were first performed in New York City in 2008.
• Psalm 23, a piece written for piano, oboe, cello, and voice.
• The Buried Life, a piece for a mezzo-soprano singer and piano.
• Three Songs of Passion, written for piano, flute, cello, and voice. These songs use poems by Cheryl Yuzik.