Elizabeth Rudolph is a Chicago-based composer “whose music takes advantage of the rhythmic complexity of minimalism to emphasize thoughtfully composed melodic storytelling.” according to contralto Katherine Dalin. Rudolph’s music has been performed and/or recorded by VOX3, Third Eye Theater, New Moon Opera, Chicago Fringe Opera, Chicago Gay Men's Chorus, Interlochen Arts Academy Chorale, and Opera on Tap-Chicago. Her most recent evening-length opera, Imogen, had its debut with New Moon Opera in 2019. Here, Rudolph shed convention and voiced and scripted roles to be genderless, smartly designing a work that gives more singers an opportunity to be heard. Rudolph is an established classical soprano in her own right, and enjoys collaborating with working artists to create new classical music in all formats, especially art-songs. “Singing her music is always immensely musically and dramatically fulfilling.” says soprano Mary Govertsen.
Other commissions include, Lincoln Square (soprano and cello) for the Chicago Fringe Opera City of Works project, Just a Phase (TTBB Choral) for the Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus on the 50th anniversary of Stonewall, The Third Night (baritone, bass clarinet, and piano) for VOX3, La Belle Dame sans Merci (SATB chorale) and Incidental Music for The Tempest (chamber music), for Interlochen Center for the Arts.
She holds degrees from Roosevelt University (MM) and St. Olaf College (BM) where she studied composition with Dr. Peter Hamlin and Dr. Timothy Mahr, but began composing at the age of 14 under the tutelage of Dr. Alan Hirsch, then finished high school at Interlochen Arts Academy where she advanced her composition and music theory study with Dr. Elaine Broad-Ginsberg.
Elizabeth Rudolph Composer
Upcoming Projects
An album of
Shakespeare Settings by Elizabeth Rudolph
Featuring
Angela Born
David Govertsen
Mallory Harding
Rebecca Haas
Joachim Luis
Dorian McCall
Victoria Offut
Alexandra Salas
Alannah Spencer
Nicholas Ward
Josh Quinn
Available to stream or buy August 2021
A mini-opera by Elizabeth Rudolph
about the life of Dr Lois Graham
Commissioned and Presented
by Third Eye Theater Ensemble
Featuring
Molly Burke
Angela Born
Directed by Rose Freeman
September 17-October 3 2021
Ticket link coming soon
by Elizabeth Rudolph
with librettist Bilal Dardai
about the life and legacy of Hazel Johnson
Commissioned and Presented as a Film
by Chicago Fringe Opera
for the Decameron Opera Coalition
October 2021
Streaming link coming soon
Streaming Projects
New Vocal Music by Elizabeth Rudolph
Featuring
Emily Cox
Jennifer Barrett
Mary Lutz Govertsen
Jimmy Morehead
Starting November 2020
a program of
new music from
Elizabeth Rudolph
Mary Lutz Govertsen
Jennifer Barrett
Sarah Kropski
Rachelle Puccini
Chloe Thominet
Denielle Wilson
Dalia Chin
Catherine O’Shaughnessy
and Sarah Jenks
Starting January 2021
The Red Death
Read by SarahAnn Sutter
Past Projects
Scores of Imogen and some other compositions will be available for purchase beginning early 2020. Watch here for more information.
"Finding Home, Finding Self"
the music of Elizabeth Rudolph
8PM October 16, 2018
Chicago, IL
Selected Compositions
The Winds 1993
choral piece Psalm 23
Family Relations 1997
song cycle with lyrics by Julie Ball for mezzo and piano
Nativity 1999
acapella choral set with traditional Latin text
La Belle Dame Sans Merci 2000
choral piece with lyrics by Keats
Sonata 2000
for viola and guitar
The Third Night 2012
pair of songs with lyrics by Strindberg for bass-baritone, bass clarinet, and piano
Perfect Fog 2014
duet with lyrics by Julie Ball for sop, mezzo, clarinet, and cello
4Nov2002 2014
song with lyrics by Julie Ball for soprano and piano
Margaret's Curse 2016/Lady Anne 2018
songs with lyrics from Richard III by Shakespeare for voice and piano
Me Gustaría Hablar 2016
song cycle with lyrics by Yvonne Strumecki for soprano, violin, and piano
Breathe 2018
Scena with lyrics by Laura Stratford for 2 voices, piano, and string trio
Imogen 2019
opera based on Cymbeline by William Shakespeare
Litany 2020
song cycle with lyrics by Yvonne Strumecki for soprano and piano
The Lake 2020
song cycle with lyrics by Julie Ball for soprano, flute/bass flute, and cello
Etude 2020
etude for piano