Deborah Drattell

Full biography Deborah Drattell

Deborah Drattell is an American composer known for her work in contemporary classical music. She was born on March 5, 1956, in Brooklyn, New York. Drattell graduated from the Juilliard School in 1978, where she studied with Roger Sessions and Milton Babbitt. She also studied with Luciano Berio in Italy, which greatly influenced her musical style.

Drattell has written numerous orchestral, chamber, and vocal works, including opera. She is particularly known for her use of tonality and lyricism in her compositions, which has been praised for its accessibility and emotional impact. Her opera "Nicholas and Alexandra" premiered at the Los Angeles Opera in 2003 and was met with critical acclaim.

In addition to her work as a composer, Drattell is also a sought-after speaker and educator. She has given lectures and workshops at various institutions, including Juilliard and the Yale School of Music, among others.

Drattell has received numerous awards and honors for her work, including a Guggenheim Fellowship, a Rockefeller Foundation Fellowship, and a Charles Ives Fellowship from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. She was also named a Lifetime Associate of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences in 2004.

Overall, Deborah Drattell is a highly respected composer in the contemporary classical music scene. Her work is known for its emotional impact, accessibility, and use of tonality and lyricism.