About
Composer of operas and songs whose best-known work was his setting of 'Summer and Smoke' by Tennessee Williams. He espoused the philosophy of fellow composer Gian Carlo Menotti with his advocacy of lyricism.
Before Fame
He was seen as a child prodigy and began playing the piano at age five, later studying with pianists Gunnar Johansen and Egon Petri at the University of Wisconsin.
Trivia
His first opera was "The Scarf," which premiered in 1957.
Family Life
His longtime collaborator Mark Shulgasser was also his partner until his death.
Associated With
He wrote chorus and orchestra based on the poems of Walt Whitman.
