Conrad Susa

Full biography Conrad Susa

Conrad Susa (April 26, 1935 – November 21, 2013) was an American composer known for his versatility and wide range of compositions. He was born in Springdale, Pennsylvania, and studied at Carnegie Mellon University, where he earned a degree in music composition. He later received a Fulbright scholarship to study in Italy with Luigi Dallapiccola.

Susa's musical career began in the 1960s when he moved to California to work as a composer and conductor for the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. He wrote music for over 200 productions at the American Conservatory Theater, where he served as resident composer for 25 years. He was also resident composer for the Old Globe Theater in San Diego.

Susa's music ranged in style from classical to opera , choral works to music for theater productions, and even documentary films and PBS specials. He was a prolific composer, with five operas and numerous other works to his credit. One of his most famous works is "Carols and Lullabies," a collection of Spanish villancicos that he arranged for choral performance.

Susa was also known for his collaborations, working with numerous librettists, conductors, and directors throughout his career. In 1994, his opera "Liaisons" received its world premiere at San Francisco's War Memorial Opera House. He was the first composer to be commissioned by the late Lotfi Mansouri to write a new work for the San Francisco Opera.

In addition to his compositions , Susa was also a respected teacher of music composition and theory. He taught at several universities, including the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, the Juilliard School, and Yale University.

Conrad Susa died on November 21, 2013, in San Francisco, California, at the age of 78. His legacy as a versatile composer who contributed to a wide range of musical genres continues to be celebrated today.