Collection: Dellaira, Michael

Michael Dellaira is known for his “haunting harmonies” (NewMusicBox.org), “eloquence and sensitivity” (New York Times) and “flair for vocal writing” (ClassicsToday.com). 

Dellaira was born Michael Dellario in Schenectady, New York.  He legally changed his surname to Dellaira, the original family name, in 1982.   He attended Georgetown University, graduating in 1971 with a B.A. in Philosophy. At The George Washington University he studied composition with Robert Parris and conducting with George Steiner, receiving a Master of Music degree in 1973.  The following year he went to Princeton University, where he studied with Milton Babbitt, Edward T. Cone, and Paul Lansky, receiving both an M.F.A and Ph.D. in Composition. He spent two summers in residence at The Composers Conference working with Roger Sessions and Mario Davidovsky.  Awarded a Fulbright Fellowship in 1977, Dellaira went to Italy to study with Goffredo Petrassi at the Academy of Santa Cecilia (Rome) and Franco Donatoni at the Chigiana Academy (Siena).  He also strudied privately with Walter Branchi.

Dellaira's recent works are primarily for voice.  These include his three operas on libretti by J. D. McClatchy: The Secret Agent (2010), a co-commission from the Center for Contemporary Opera, Long Leaf Opera, and San Antonio Opera, premiered in March, 2011 at the Kaye Playhouse in New York (Sara Jobin, conductor) with subsequent performances at the Szeged National Theater in Hungary (where it was named "Laureat" of the Armel International Opera Festival), and the Opera Avignon in France; the one-act opera The Death of Webern (2013), commissioned and premiered by The Pocket Opera Players (Carmen Helena-Tellez, conductor) with a subsequent recording by The Frost School of Music, conducted by Alan Johnson  (and named one of the “5 Best New Works of 2016” by Opera News magazine); The Leopard (2018), commissioned by American Opera Projects and premiered in 2022 at the Dennis C. Moss Cultural Arts Center by the University of Miami’ Frost Opera Theater, conducted by Gerard Schwarz.