A poet and translator who collaborated with W.H. Auden on opera librettos and other works, known for his lyrical and expressive style.
Chester Kallman was an American poet, librettist, and translator, best known for his collaborations with W.H. Auden on opera librettos for renowned composers like Igor Stravinsky and Hans Werner Henze. His work on The Rake's Progress, Elegy for Young Lovers, and The Bassarids cemented his reputation as a master of poetic storytelling in the opera world.
Kallman was born on January 7, 1921, in Brooklyn, New York, to an Ashkenazi Jewish family. He received his Bachelor's degree from Brooklyn College and his Master's degree from the University of Michigan. This strong educational foundation laid the groundwork for his future success as a poet and librettist.
Kallman published three collections of poems: Storm at Castelfranco (1956), Absent and Present (1963), and The Sense of Occasion (1971). These works showcased his unique voice and perspective, weaving together themes of love, nature, and the human experience.
Kallman's most famous collaborations were with his lifelong friend and fellow poet W.H. Auden. Together, they wrote the libretto for Igor Stravinsky's The Rake's Progress (1951), a work that premiered at the Teatro La Fenice in Venice. This partnership led to further collaborations on Elegy for Young Lovers (1961) and The Bassarids (1966) with Hans Werner Henze, as well as Loves Labours Lost (1973) with Nicolas Nabokov.
Kallman spent his summers in Italy and Austria, and eventually moved to Athens, Greece, where he lived for the remainder of his life. He died on January 18, 1975, at the age of 54, leaving behind a legacy as a pioneering poet and librettist. His funeral was attended by notable friends and colleagues, including James Merrill and Alan Ansen.
Chester Kallman's remarkable life and work continue to inspire generations of poets, librettists, and opera enthusiasts. His contributions to the world of opera remain unparalleled, and his poetry a testament to his unique voice and perspective.
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