Heggie Named Composer of the Year by Musical America • November 2024
New York, NY
Photo by James Niebuhr
Musical America announces the 64th annual Artist of the Year awards, naming Jake Heggie Composer of the Year. The organization recognizes artists who have advanced the art form beyond expectation and have brought new perspectives to the performing arts.
Heggie is perhaps the most performed contemporary opera composer working today: To date, his 2000 opera Dead Man Walking has been mounted over 75 times on five continents; his 2010 Moby-Dick is scheduled for its Met Opera premiere in March 2025; Earth 2.0 premieres December 6, 2024, with the Fort Worth Symphony and the Urban Bush Women under conductor Robert Spano; Songs for Murdered Sisters gets its U.S. orchestral premiere next January by the Philadelphia Orchestra, first in Marian Anderson Hall, then in Carnegie Hall.
“I’m deeply touched, honored and surprised to be named Musical America’s Composer of the Year,” remarks Heggie. “It’s humbling to receive an award like this – and there’s always a moment or two when I’m convinced they’ve contacted me by mistake! But I’m grateful beyond words to be recognized alongside so many cherished colleagues.”