This bio is reproduced in full with kind permission from Wise Music Classical.
Born: 10 November 1961, United States
Died: NA
Country most active: United States
Also known as: Jeanine Levenson
Jeanine Tesori is an award-winning composer of musical theatre and opera. Along with Missy Mazzoli, Tesori is one of the first female composers commissioned by the Metropolitan Opera.
Tesori’s operas include Blue (libretto by Tazewell Thompson) premiered in July 2019 at Glimmerglass Opera with future performances at Washington National Opera and Chicago Lyric Opera; A Blizzard on Marblehead Neck (libretto by Tony Kushner) premiered at Glimmerglass Opera in 2011; The Lion, The Unicorn and Me (libretto by J.D. McClatchy on the book by Jeanette Winterson) premiered at Washington National Opera in 2013; and the forthcoming Grounded (libretto by George Brant based on his play).
Best known for her musical theater works her award-winning catalog includes Fun Home (Tony Award, Pulitzer finalist); Caroline, or Change (Olivier Award); Violet; Shrek; Thoroughly Modern Millie; Twelfth Night; A Free Man of Color; and by The Public at Central Park: Mother Courage. She is currently the Supervising Vocal Producer for Steven Spielberg’s forthcoming film of West Side Story. She is also the founding Artistic Director of Encores! Off-Center, and a lecturer at Yale University.