Biographical Sketch
Luigi Dallapiccola was born to Italian parents in Pisano d'Istria, Austria, (now Pazin, Croatia) on February 3, 1904. During his youth, Dallapiccola earned diplomas in both piano and composition from the Cherubini Conservatory in Florence. He began his career as a piano teacher at the conservatory, where he remained until his retirement in 1967. He also taught music courses at several American colleges and summer music programs.
As a composer, Dallapiccola was greatly influenced by the music of the Second Viennese School, evident in his use of serial methods. He achieved distinction for composition using the twelve-tone scale, and his oeuvre encompasses dramatic works (operas and ballet) as well as choral, solo vocal, and instrumental compositions. His opera Ulisse (Ulysses) with his own libretto based on Homer's Odyssey was his last large-scale work and took eight years to complete.
Several of his vocal works were considered to be "protest pieces," relating to his ever-present concern with the political situations of his time. Among these, Il Rigioniero (1944–1948) is likely the best known. He died in Florence, Italy, on February 19, 1975.
Margaret (Peggie) Dwight was born in Morristown, New Jersey, on December 2, 1909. She was an American artist who lived much of her life in Paris. She correspondended with Dallapiccola from the time she met him at Tanglewood in 1951, where she was a student, until his death in 1975. She died November 20, 1996.