Deborah Drattell

Deborah Drattell (born 1956) is an American composer. She was born in Brooklyn, New York and started her career in music as a violinist. She has been lauded as “a remarkably original voice” by Opera News and is noted for her contributions to contemporary classical music. Her compositions have been performed by the New York Philharmonic, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, the Tanglewood and Caramoor Music Festivals, and many other groups and venues. She rewrote the role of the villain in Nicholas and Alexandra, Rasputin, from baritone to tenor when Plácido Domingo expressed interest in singing the role. Early Life and Education Drattell was born in Brooklyn, New York. She developed her musical foundation as a violinist before shifting her focus to composition. She earned a Ph.D. in composition from the University of Chicago, where she studied under Ralph Shapey. Career Opera Her operas include: “Festival of Regrets" (1999): A one-act opera with a libretto by Wendy Wasserstein, premiered at the Glimmerglass Opera and later performed as part of the Central Park trilogy at the New York City Opera. “Lilith” (2001): A full-length opera exploring the biblical figure of Adam’s first wife, premiered