Stewart Wallace

Full biography Stewart Wallace

Stewart Wallace is a composer born in Philadelphia in 1960, but he grew up in Texas. He is an entirely self-taught composer, and he started writing music when he was young. For his thesis at the University of Texas at Austin , he wrote his first opera, and this became the start of his successful career as an opera composer.

Wallace is best known for his operas, including "Harvey Milk," which he composed for the Houston Grand Opera, New York City Opera , and San Francisco Opera. The opera, which was barely performed when it premiered in 1995, was overhauled by Wallace and revived to critical acclaim in 2022.

Aside from his operatic works, Wallace has also composed concert music and musical theater. One notable example is "The Bonesetter's Daughter," which is a musical adaptation of Amy Tan's novel of the same title.

Wallace's music is known for its eclectic style, which blends rock, blues, jazz, and contemporary classical music. He has worked with several prominent librettists, including Michael Korie, Amy Tan, and Naomi Iizuka.

Overall, Wallace is a talented composer with a unique voice in the world of opera. His works showcase his ability to blend different musical styles and incorporate contemporary themes into a traditional art form.