Short bio Dominick Argento
Full biography Dominick Argento
Dominick Argento was an American composer known for his contributions to the genre of opera, although he also wrote song cycles and choral works. He lived from October 27, 1927, to February 20, 2019, and won the Pulitzer Prize during his lifetime.
Argento wrote fourteen operas , including "The Voyage of Edgar Allan Poe," "Miss Havisham's Fire," "Casanova's Homecoming," and "Postcard from Morocco." His work was often inspired by literature and explored themes of love, loss, and human relationships. Argento's music was characterized by its use of tonality and atonality, and he often combined these different musical elements to create a unique and distinct sound.
In addition to his work in opera, Argento was also a talented songwriter and choral composer. His song cycles, such as "From the Diary of Virginia Woolf," have been well received by critics and audiences alike. Argento was also known for his collaborations with conductors and orchestras throughout the US and Europe, and his music has been performed by some of the world's leading classical musicians.
Throughout his career, Argento received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the world of music. In addition to the Pulitzer Prize, he also won the Minnesota Governor's Award for the Arts, the George Peabody Medal, and the Prix Italia. He was also a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Argento passed away on February 20, 2019, at the age of 91. His legacy lives on through his music, which continues to be performed and enjoyed by audiences around the world. His contributions to the world of opera and classical music have been significant, and he will be remembered as one of the most important American composers of the 20th century.
Compositions featuring Dominick Argento
| # | Name | Duration | Genre | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sonnet No. LXIV (In memoriam 9/11/01), for chorus | 3:15 min | Choral | 200? |
| 2 | Reverie, Reflections on a Hymn Tune, for orchestra | 10:04 min | Orchestral | 1998 |
| 3 | Valentino Dances | 10:08 min | Orchestral | 1997 |
| 4 | Walden Pond, song cycle for chorus, 3 cellos & harp | 22:40 min | Choral | 1996 |
| 5 | Valse Triste | 1:45 min | Orchestral | 1996 |
| 6 | To God 'In Memoriam M.B.', for chorus & trumpet | 3:35 min | Choral | 1994 |
| 7 | The Dream of Valentino, opera | Opera | 1994 | |
| 8 | Easter Day, motet | 4:23 min | Choral | 1989 |
| 9 | A Toccata of Galuppi's, rhapsody for chamber choir, harpsichord & string quartet | 20:48 min | Choral | 1989 |
| 10 | Te Deum for chorus & orchestra | 41:37 min | Choral | 1987 |
| 11 | Capriccio for clarinet & orchestra ("Rossini in Paris") | 23:33 min | Concerto | 1986 |
| 12 | Le Tombeau d'Edgar Poe | 15:49 min | Orchestral | 1986 |
| 13 | Casanova's Homecoming, opera | 155:25 min | Opera | 1985 |
| 14 | Casa Guidi: Letters of Elizabeth Barrett Browning to her Sister, songs (5) for mezzo-soprano & orchestra | 21:40 min | Vocal Music | 1983 |
| 15 | Andrée Expedition | 41:51 min | Vocal Music | 1983 |
| 16 | I Hate and I Love, song cycle for chorus & percussion | 16:42 min | Choral | 1982 |
| 17 | Miss Havisham's Wedding Night, opera | 30:41 min | Opera | 1981 |
| 18 | Let All the World in Every Corner Sing | 3:25 min | Choral | 1980 |
| 19 | Peter Quince at the Clavier, for mixed chorus & piano concertante | 21:11 min | Choral | 1979 |
| 20 | The Voyage of Edgar Allen Poe, opera | Opera | 1976 | |
| 21 | A Ring of Time | 27:17 min | Orchestral | 1972 |
| 22 | Postcard from Morocco, opera | 89:55 min | Opera | 1971 |
| 23 | From the Diary of Virginia Woolf, for voice & piano | 34:46 min | Vocal Music | 197? |
| 24 | A Nation of Cowslips, for chorus | 18:11 min | Choral | 1968 |
| 25 | The Shoemaker's Holiday, opera | Opera | 1967 | |
| 26 | Mask of Night, variations for orchestra | Orchestral | 1965 | |
| 27 | The Masque of Angels, opera | Opera | 1964 | |
| 28 | Christopher Sly, opera | Opera | 1963 | |
| 29 | Elizabethan Songs (6) for high voice & chamber ensemble | 16:21 min | Vocal Music | 1962 |
| 30 | The Boor, opera | Opera | 1957 | |
| 31 | In Praise of Music, songs (7) for orchestra | 33:03 min | Orchestral | - |
| 32 | Winter | 1:45 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 33 | A Royal Invitation of Homage to the Queen of Tonga | 21:43 min | Orchestral | - |
| 34 | A Thanksgiving to God, for His House, motet | 3:33 min | Choral | - |
| 35 | A Water Bird Talk, opera | 41:35 min | Opera | - |
| 36 | Tria Carmina Paschalia, cantata for chorus, guitar & harp | 15:22 min | Choral | - |
| 37 | To Be Sung Upon the Water, for high voice, piano & clarinet | 28:37 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 38 | Evensong: Of Love and Angels, for 2 voices, narrator, chorus & orchestra | 49:06 min | Choral | - |
| 39 | Letters from Composers: Frédéric Chopin | 3:25 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 40 | The Angel Israfil (whose heart-strings are a lute), for harp duo | 5:57 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 41 | Jonah and the Whale, oratorio for narrator, 2 voices, chorus & orchestra | 53:30 min | Choral | - |
| 42 | Spirituals and Swedish Chorales | 9:03 min | Choral | - |
| 43 | Letters from Composers, for voice & guitar | 25:49 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 44 | Songs of Petrarch, for voice & piano | 10:42 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 45 | Songs About Spring (5) for voice & piano | 10:53 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 46 | Seasons, for chorus | 15:03 min | Choral | - |
| 47 | Letters from Composers: Franz Schubert | 4:25 min | Vocal Music | - |
Albums featuring Dominick Argento
| # | Сover | Name album | Year | Music label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Dominick Argento, Brian Mulligan (2), Timothy Long (2) – The Andrée Expedition; From The Diary Of Virginia Woolf(CD, Album) | 2017 | Naxos |
| 2 |  |
Dominick Argento - Thomas Oakes (2), Daniel Norman, Daniel Cole, Providence Singers, Boston Modern Orchestra Project, Andrew Clark (24) – Jonah And The Whale(SACD, Hybrid, Multichannel, Stereo, Album) | 2010 | BMOP/sound |
| 3 |  |
Dominick Argento - Howard Haskin – Shadow And Substance(CD, Album) | 2005 | Deux-Elles |
| 4 |  |
Dominick Argento - Singers And Orchestra Of The Moores Opera Center, Moores School Of Music / University Of Houston, Peter Jacoby – Casanova's Homecoming (An Opera Buffa In Three Acts)(2×CD, Album) | 2004 | Newport Classic |
| 5 |  |
Dominick Argento - The Dale Warland Singers – Walden Pond(CD, Album) | 2003 | Gothic Records (5) |
| 6 |  |
Frederica von Stade Sings Dominick Argento - Eiji Oue, Minnesota Orchestra – Casa Guidi(CD, HDCD, Album) | 2002 | Reference Recordings |
| 7 |  |
Argento, Duruflé, Los Angeles Master Chorale, Paul Salamunovich, Rodney Gilfry, Frederick Swann – Argento - Duruflé(CD, Album) | 2001 | RCM (Rubedo Canis Musica) |
| 8 |  |
Argento, Rochberg / Anthony Gigliotti, Taipei Symphony Orchestra, Felix Chiu-Sen Chen – Clarinet Concertos(CD, Album) | 2001 | Bravo (18) |
| 9 |  |
Vore Svømmefugle - A Waterbird Talk(CD, Album) | 2000 | Helikon |
| 10 |  |
Dominick Argento, Christopher O'Riley, The Ensemble Singers Of The Plymouth Music Series Of Minnesota, Philip Brunelle – An American Romantic(CD, Stereo) | 1998 | Collins Classics |
| 11 |  |
Barbara Bonney, André Previn - Copland, Barber, Previn, Argento – American Songs(CD, Album) | 1998 | Decca |
| 12 |  |
Dominick Argento, Linda Mabbs, John Shirley-Quirk, Sara Watkins (2) – A Water Bird Talk, Miss Havisham's Wedding(CD, ) | 1997 | Koch International Classics |
| 13 |  |
The Andrée Expedition(CD, Album) | 1997 | Nosag Records |
| 14 |  |
Dominick Argento, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Patrice Michaels Bedi – To Be Sung on the Water - Song Cycles by Dominick Argento(CD, ) | 1996 | Cedille Records |
| 15 |  |
From The Diary Of Virginia Woolf / The Andrée Expedition(CD, Album) | 1992 | Centaur Records |
| 16 |  |
Manuel De Falla, Elliott Carter, Ilja Hurník, Domenick Argento, Rembrandt Chamber Players with Larry Combs, Patrice Michaels Bedi – 20th Century Baroque: Modern Reflections On Old Instruments(CD, Album) | 1992 | Cedille Records |
| 17 |  |
Dominick Argento - The Plymouth Music Series, Philip Brunelle – Te Deum / The Mask Of Night(CD, ) | 1991 | Virgin Classics |
| 18 |  |
Virginia Dupuy - Dominick Argento / Warren Benson – From The Diary Of Virginia Woolf / Songs For The End Of The World(CD, Album) | 1989 | Gasparo |
| 19 |  |
Peter Quince At The Clavier / I Hate And I Love | 1988 | Musical Heritage Society |
| 20 |  |
Märta Schéle, Argento, Werle – Life And Death | 1987 | Proprius |
| 21 |  |
Berit Hallqvist, Mats Bergström, Dominick Argento – Letters From Composers(LP) | 1984 | Fermat |
| 22 |  |
Jonah And The Whale(LP, Album) | 1982 | Not On Label |
| 23 |  |
Dominick Argento, Frank Ahrold, Richard Hervig – Words And Music(LP, Stereo) | 1978 | Composers Recordings Inc. (CRI) |
| 24 |  |
The Louisville Orchestra / Jacob Druckman and Dominick Argento – Lamia / Royal Invitation(LP, Album, Stereo) | 1976 | First Edition Records |
| 25 |  |
Dominick Argento / Ned Rorem - John Stewart (21), Sandra Walker – To Be Sung Upon The Water (Barcarolles And Nocturnes For High Voice, Piano And Clarinet (Also Bass Clarinet)) / King Midas (A Cantata For Voices And Piano On Ten Poems Of Howard Moss)(LP) | 1975 | Desto |
| 26 |  |
Dominick Argento, John Donahue (4) - Center Opera Of Minnesota, Barbara Brandt • Barry Busse, Michael Foreman (2) • Janis Hardy, Yale Marshall • Sarita Roche • Vern Sutton, Philip Brunelle – Postcard From Morocco(2×LP, Stereo, Box Set, ) | 1972 | Desto |
| 27 |  |
William Mayer / Dominick Argento – Brass Quintet / Miniatures / Two News Items / Letters From Composers(LP, Album, Stereo) | 1972 | Composers Recordings Inc. (CRI) |
Videos featuring Dominick Argento
℗ 2012 Reference Recordings
Released on: 2012-03-01
Artist: Frederica von Stade
Conduct
">Casa Guidi: No. 1. Casa Guidi
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Casa Guidi: No. 1. Casa Guidi · Frederica von Stade
Argento: Casa Guidi, Capriccio "Rossini in Paris" & In Praise of Music
℗ 2012 Reference Recordings
Released on: 2012-03-01
Artist: Frederica von Stade
Conduct
Walden Pond: No. 1, The Pond
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Walden Pond: No. 1, The Pond · Henry David Thoreau
Walden Pond
℗ 2010 Gothic
Released on: 2010-08-01
Conductor: Dale Warland
Choir: Dale Warland Singers
Composer: Dominick Argento
Lyricist: Henry David Thoreau
℗ 2012 Reference Recordings
Released on: 2012-03-01
Artist:
">Casa Guidi: No. 2. The Italian Cook and the English Maid
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Casa Guidi: No. 2. The Italian Cook and the English Maid · Frederica von Stade
Argento: Casa Guidi, Capriccio "Rossini in Paris" & In Praise of Music
℗ 2012 Reference Recordings
Released on: 2012-03-01
Artist:
Walden Pond: No. 2, Angling
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Walden Pond: No. 2, Angling · Henry David Thoreau
Walden Pond
℗ 2010 Gothic
Released on: 2010-08-01
Conductor: Dale Warland
Choir: Dale Warland Singers
Composer: Dominick Argento
Lyricist: Henry David Thoreau
℗ 2012 Reference Recordings
Released on: 2012-03-01
Artist: Frederica von Stade
Co
">Casa Guidi: No. 3. Robert Browning
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Casa Guidi: No. 3. Robert Browning · Frederica von Stade
Argento: Casa Guidi, Capriccio "Rossini in Paris" & In Praise of Music
℗ 2012 Reference Recordings
Released on: 2012-03-01
Artist: Frederica von Stade
Co
Walden Pond: No. 3, Observing
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Walden Pond: No. 3, Observing · Henry David Thoreau
Walden Pond
℗ 2010 Gothic
Released on: 2010-08-01
Conductor: Dale Warland
Choir: Dale Warland Singers
Composer: Dominick Argento
Lyricist: Henry David Thoreau
℗ 2012 Reference Recordings
Released on: 2012-03-01
Artist: Frederica von
">Casa Guidi: No. 4. The Death of Mr. Barrett
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Casa Guidi: No. 4. The Death of Mr. Barrett · Frederica von Stade
Argento: Casa Guidi, Capriccio "Rossini in Paris" & In Praise of Music
℗ 2012 Reference Recordings
Released on: 2012-03-01
Artist: Frederica von
Walden Pond: No. 4, Extolling
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Walden Pond: No. 4, Extolling · Henry David Thoreau
Walden Pond
℗ 2010 Gothic
Released on: 2010-08-01
Conductor: Dale Warland
Choir: Dale Warland Singers
Composer: Dominick Argento
Lyricist: Henry David Thoreau
Walden Pond: No. 5, Walden Revisited
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Walden Pond: No. 5, Walden Revisited · Henry David Thoreau
Walden Pond
℗ 2010 Gothic
Released on: 2010-08-01
Conductor: Dale Warland
Choir: Dale Warland Singers
Composer: Dominick Argento
Lyricist: Henry David
I Hate and I Love: No. 1, I hate and I love
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
I Hate and I Love: No. 1, I hate and I love · Catullus
Walden Pond
℗ 2010 Gothic
Released on: 2010-08-01
Conductor: Dale Warland
Choir: Dale Warland Singers
Lyricist: Catullus
Composer: Dominick Argento
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Argento: Casa Guidi, Capriccio "Rossini in Paris" & In Praise of Music
℗ 2012 Reference Recordings
Released on: 2012-03-01
Conductor: Eij
">In Praise of Music: No. 1. For the Healer, "David"
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
In Praise of Music: No. 1. For the Healer, "David" · Minnesota Orchestra
Argento: Casa Guidi, Capriccio "Rossini in Paris" & In Praise of Music
℗ 2012 Reference Recordings
Released on: 2012-03-01
Conductor: Eij
I Hate and I Love: No. 2, Let us live, my Clodia, and let us love
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
I Hate and I Love: No. 2, Let us live, my Clodia, and let us love · Catullus
Walden Pond
℗ 2010 Gothic
Released on: 2010-08-01
Conductor: Dale Warland
Choir: Dale Warland Singers
Lyricist: Catullus
Composer: Do
Argento: Casa Guidi, Capriccio "Rossini in Paris" & In Praise of Music
℗ 2012 Reference Recordings
Released on: 2012-03-01
Conductor: Eiji
">In Praise of Music: No. 2. For the God, "Apollo"
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
In Praise of Music: No. 2. For the God, "Apollo" · Minnesota Orchestra
Argento: Casa Guidi, Capriccio "Rossini in Paris" & In Praise of Music
℗ 2012 Reference Recordings
Released on: 2012-03-01
Conductor: Eiji
Argento: Casa Guidi, Capriccio "Rossini in Paris" & In Praise of Music
℗ 2012 Reference Recordings
Released on: 2012-03-01
Conductor: Eiji O
">In Praise of Music: No. 3. For the Satyr, "Pan"
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
In Praise of Music: No. 3. For the Satyr, "Pan" · Minnesota Orchestra
Argento: Casa Guidi, Capriccio "Rossini in Paris" & In Praise of Music
℗ 2012 Reference Recordings
Released on: 2012-03-01
Conductor: Eiji O
I Hate and I Love: No. 3, Greetings, miss, with nose not small
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
I Hate and I Love: No. 3, Greetings, miss, with nose not small · Catullus
Walden Pond
℗ 2010 Gothic
Released on: 2010-08-01
Conductor: Dale Warland
Choir: Dale Warland Singers
Lyricist: Catullus
Composer: Domin
I Hate and I Love: No. 4, My woman says she will be no one's
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
I Hate and I Love: No. 4, My woman says she will be no one's · Catullus
Walden Pond
℗ 2010 Gothic
Released on: 2010-08-01
Conductor: Dale Warland
Choir: Dale Warland Singers
Lyricist: Catullus
Composer: Dominic
Argento: Casa Guidi, Capriccio "Rossini in Paris" & In Praise of Music
℗ 2012 Reference Recordings
Released on: 2012-03-01
Conductor:
">In Praise of Music: No. 4. For the Sorrower, "Orpheus"
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
In Praise of Music: No. 4. For the Sorrower, "Orpheus" · Minnesota Orchestra
Argento: Casa Guidi, Capriccio "Rossini in Paris" & In Praise of Music
℗ 2012 Reference Recordings
Released on: 2012-03-01
Conductor:
I Hate and I Love: No. 5, Was It a lioness from the mountains of Libya
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
I Hate and I Love: No. 5, Was It a lioness from the mountains of Libya · Catullus
Walden Pond
℗ 2010 Gothic
Released on: 2010-08-01
Conductor: Dale Warland
Choir: Dale Warland Singers
Lyricist: Catullus
Compose
Argento: Casa Guidi, Capriccio "Rossini in Paris" & In Praise of Music
℗ 2012 Reference Recordings
Released on: 2012-03-01
Conductor: Ei
">In Praise of Music: No. 5. For the Angel, "Israfel"
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
In Praise of Music: No. 5. For the Angel, "Israfel" · Minnesota Orchestra
Argento: Casa Guidi, Capriccio "Rossini in Paris" & In Praise of Music
℗ 2012 Reference Recordings
Released on: 2012-03-01
Conductor: Ei
Argento: Casa Guidi, Capriccio "Rossini in Paris" & In Praise of Music
℗ 2012 Reference Recordings
Released on: 2012-03-01
Conductor: Ei
">In Praise of Music: No. 6. For the Saint, "Cecilia"
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
In Praise of Music: No. 6. For the Saint, "Cecilia" · Minnesota Orchestra
Argento: Casa Guidi, Capriccio "Rossini in Paris" & In Praise of Music
℗ 2012 Reference Recordings
Released on: 2012-03-01
Conductor: Ei
I Hate and I Love: No. 6, You promise me, my dearest life
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
I Hate and I Love: No. 6, You promise me, my dearest life · Catullus
Walden Pond
℗ 2010 Gothic
Released on: 2010-08-01
Conductor: Dale Warland
Choir: Dale Warland Singers
Lyricist: Catullus
Composer: Dominick A
Argento: Casa Guidi, Capriccio "Rossini in Paris" & In Praise of Music
℗ 2012 Reference Recordings
Released on: 2012-03-01
Conductor: Eij
">In Praise of Music: No. 7. For the Child, "Mozart"
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
In Praise of Music: No. 7. For the Child, "Mozart" · Minnesota Orchestra
Argento: Casa Guidi, Capriccio "Rossini in Paris" & In Praise of Music
℗ 2012 Reference Recordings
Released on: 2012-03-01
Conductor: Eij
I Hate and I Love: No. 7, Wretched Catullus, put an end to This madness
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
I Hate and I Love: No. 7, Wretched Catullus, put an end to This madness · Catullus
Walden Pond
℗ 2010 Gothic
Released on: 2010-08-01
Conductor: Dale Warland
Choir: Dale Warland Singers
Lyricist: Catullus
Compos
I Hate and I Love: No. 8, I hate and I love
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
I Hate and I Love: No. 8, I hate and I love · Catullus
Walden Pond
℗ 2010 Gothic
Released on: 2010-08-01
Conductor: Dale Warland
Choir: Dale Warland Singers
Lyricist: Catullus
Composer: Dominick Argento
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A Toccata of Galuppi's
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
A Toccata of Galuppi's · Robert Browning
Walden Pond
℗ 2010 Gothic
Released on: 2010-08-01
Conductor: Dale Warland
Choir: Dale Warland Singers
Composer: Dominick Argento
Lyricist: Robert Browning
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