Gene Scheer

Gene Scheer is a renowned American librettist and songwriter, known for his collaborations with prominent composers such as Jake Heggie, Jennifer Higdon, and Tobias Picker. Scheer's work has been performed by esteemed organizations like the Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, and Houston Grand Opera. His librettos often explore themes of American history, literature, and social justice, as seen in operas like Moby-Dick (opera) and Cold Mountain (opera).

● Early Life and Education

Gene Scheer was born in New York City and raised in New Jersey, where he developed a passion for music and theater. He attended Yale University, studying English literature and music theory under the guidance of professors like Harold Bloom and Leon Plantinga. Scheer's early interests in poetry and songwriting were influenced by artists like Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, and Paul Simon. After graduating from Yale University, Scheer moved to California to pursue a career in music and theater, drawing inspiration from the San Francisco Bay Area's vibrant arts scene, which included institutions like the San Francisco Symphony and American Conservatory Theater.

● Career

Scheer's career as a librettist and songwriter has been marked by collaborations with prominent composers and opera companies, including the Dallas Opera, Washington National Opera, and Glimmerglass Opera. His work has been performed at prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Kennedy Center, featuring renowned singers like Renée Fleming, Andrea Bocelli, and Plácido Domingo. Scheer has also worked with organizations like the National Endowment for the Arts and the American Composers Orchestra to promote new music and opera initiatives, often in partnership with universities and conservatories like the Juilliard School and Curtis Institute of Music.

● Notable Works

Some of Scheer's most notable works include the librettos for Moby-Dick (opera), Cold Mountain (opera), and It's a Wonderful Life (opera), which have been performed by companies like the San Francisco Opera, The Dallas Opera, and Houston Grand Opera. His collaborations with Jake Heggie have resulted in critically acclaimed operas like Dead Man Walking (opera) and Three Decembers, which have been performed at venues like the Metropolitan Opera and Lyric Opera of Chicago. Scheer's work has also been influenced by literary classics like Herman Melville's Moby-Dick and Charles Frazier's Cold Mountain, as well as historical events like the American Civil War and the Great Depression.

● Awards and Recognition

Scheer's work has been recognized with numerous awards and nominations, including a Grammy Award nomination for Best Opera Recording and a Guggenheim Fellowship. He has also received awards from organizations like the National Endowment for the Arts and the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and has been honored by institutions like the Yale University and the New York Public Library. Scheer's collaborations with composers like Jennifer Higdon and Tobias Picker have also been recognized with awards like the Pulitzer Prize and the Nobel Prize in Literature, which have been awarded to authors like Toni Morrison and Alice Walker.

● Personal Life

Gene Scheer currently resides in New York City and San Francisco, where he continues to work on new projects with composers and opera companies. He is involved with organizations like the Opera America and the American Composers Forum, which promote new music and opera initiatives. Scheer's interests outside of music and theater include literature and history, and he has been influenced by authors like Don DeLillo and Philip Roth, as well as historians like Doris Kearns Goodwin and David McCullough. Scheer's work has been featured in publications like the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, and he has been interviewed by media outlets like NPR and PBS. Category:American librettists