Daniel Catán
Mexican composer and writer (1949–2011) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Daniel Catán Porteny (April 3, 1949 – April 9, 2011)[1] was a Mexican composer, writer[2] and professor known particularly for his operas and his contribution of the Spanish language to the international repertory.[3]
Daniel Catán | |
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Born | Daniel Catán Porteny (1949-04-03)April 3, 1949 Mexico City, Mexico |
Died | April 9, 2011(2011-04-09) (aged 62) Austin, Texas, U.S. |
Occupation(s) | Composer, writer, professor |
Years active | 1972–2011 |
Website | danielcatan |
With a compositional style described as lush, romantic and lyrical,[1][3] Catán's second opera, Rappaccini’s Daughter, became the first Mexican opera in the United States to be produced by a professional opera company.[1] Upon receiving international recognition, Catán's next opera, Florencia en el Amazonas, became the first opera in Spanish to be commissioned by an opera company in the United States.[2][3][4] Shortly after, Catán received a Plácido Domingo Award and a Guggenheim Fellowship Award for his contributions to music.[2][5] In 2004, Catán's opera Salsipuedes: a Tale of Love, War and Anchovies was premiered by the Houston Grand Opera.[6] In September 2010, his opera Il Postino was premiered by the Los Angeles Opera with Plácido Domingo singing as Pablo Neruda, a role written specifically for him.[7] Catán died while working on his next opera, Meet John Doe.[8]
Catán's works also include vocal, chamber, orchestral and choral music as well as music for ballet, film and TV.[9]