Tom Cipullo

 WORKS LIST 

  
OPERA 
  
Glory Denied  (2006) 
  
Libretto adapted by the composer after the oral history Glory Denied by 
Tom Philpott (W.W. Norton, 2001). 
  
A poignant saga of America during the Vietnam War. 
Based on the true story of Colonel Jim Thompson, America’s longest-held 
prisoner of war. 
  
 “From hope to despair, from love to hatred to forgiveness, the dramatic tension was relentless.” (Opera News, July 2013) 
  
“…a luminous score that offered vivid embodiments of the protagonist’s mental states.” 
(The Washington Post, 4/3/11) 
  
“…Mr. Cipullo’s vocal writing is angular and declamatory at times, but he has a keen sense of when to let that modernist approach melt into glowing melody, and he has an even keener ear for orchestral color.”  (The New York Times, 11/12/10) 
  
“…profoundly touches the heart.” (Commercial Appeal [Memphis], April 14, 2015) 
  
an evening-length opera in two acts 
for two sopranos, tenor, and baritone 
  
available in three instrumentations 

for full orchestra 
for chamber orchestra of sixteen players 
for nine players 

  
Recorded by Fort Worth Opera, Tyson Deaton conductor on Albany Records (Troy 1433). 
Cited by Opera News for its list of the “Best Opera Recordings of the Year.” 
  
  
After Life (2015) 
  
Libretto by David Mason 
  
Gertrude Stein and Pablo Picasso are conjured back to life to debate their legacies as well as their activities in WWII Paris.  Their confrontation is interrupted by a Holocaust victim who forces them to reconsider the meaning of death. 
  
“Cipullo’s musical language, rooted in tonality with generous helpings of dissonance, is direct, succinct and original. His thorough understanding of the human voice allows him to create fully dimensional characters that are sympathetic and imminently believable… [a] finely wrought exploration of the role of art in times of grave crisis.” (Washington Post, April 4,2016) 
  
“…a compelling hour of musical theater.”  (Seattle Gay News, May 15, 2015)  
  
“...inventive, pitch-perfect, thought-provoking and refreshing.” (Oregon ArtsWatch) 
  
Chamber opera in one act for soprano, mezzo, and baritone 
Instrumentation: flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano 
Duration: 50 minutes 
Commissioned by Music of Remembrance. 
Recorded by Music of Remembrance for Naxos. (Released February 2016.) 
  
  
  
Josephine  (2016) 
  
Libretto by the composer. 
  
Josephine Baker grants an interview in her dressing room shortly before her last triumphant appearance. 
  
“…theatrically riveting…” (Washington Post, April 4, 2016) 
  
“Josephine is an absolute joy to behold.”  (DC Theatre Scene, April 5, 2016) 
  
“5 Stars.” (DC Theater Metro Arts, April 5,2016) 
  
Monodrama in one scene for soprano 
Instrumentation: flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano 
Duration: 28 minutes 
Commissioned by UrbanArias. 
  
  
  
  
Lucy  (2009) 
  
Libretto by the composer. 
  
An elderly woman is visited by a strange apparition. 
  
“…an ideal example of short-form opera…”   (The Big City, October 5, 2009) 

A mini-opera in one scene for soprano, baritone, and piano 
Duration: 10 minutes 
Available from Classical Vocal Reprints 
  


ORCHESTRAL 
  
Sparkler  (1993) 
Winner of the Minneapolis Pops New Orchestral Repertoire Award (2009) 
  
“…spectacular instrumental effects…”      Fanfare 
  
3,2,2,2; 4,3,3,1; 3 perc + timpani; harp, strings 
Duration: 6 minutes 
Recorded by The Warsaw Philharmonic, Jerzy Swoboda, cond. (MMC 2022) 
  
  
FOR PIANO 
  
Two Meditations  (2006 and 2008) 
  
Duration:  7 minutes        Recorded by pianist Jeanne Golan on Albany Records (Troy 1154) 
  
Water Lilies  (1995) 

Commissioned by Jeanne Golan. 

Duration:  8 minutes        Recorded by pianist Jeanne Golan on Albany Records (Troy 1154) 
  
  
  
FOR PIANO (Four-Hands) 
  
Sparkler (1994) 
          Duration:  6 minutes 
  
  
  
FOR SOLO VOICE AND PIANO 
  
Excelsior (2011) 
(Five songs on poems of Whitman, Lisel Mueller, and Gardner McFall) 
for baritone voice and piano                               Duration: 18 minutes 
Commissioned by Jesse Blumberg 
  
  
America 1968 (2008) 
(Six songs on poems of Robert Hayden) 
  
Commissioned by Andrew Garland and Donna Loewy. 

“…The vocal line is superbly crafted with respect to word stress and meaning within an expressive melodic line…, extremely beautiful…,  A dramatic song, with both fff and pppp phrases, it is both a fitting end to the cycle and a fitting tribute to the greatness of Frederick Douglass…,  This excellent, meaningful, and beautiful cycle is for advanced singers and would be a fine work for a doctoral recital or on any professional program. The baritone who chooses this cycle will need full command of his voice at all dynamic extremes and the flexibility that encompasses both drama and lyricism”   (Judith Carman, The Journal of Singing, March 1, 2012) 

“The raw messages of "The Whipping" and "Those Winter Sundays" ultimately led to the stirring "Frederick Douglas" with its promise of freedom.” (Music Web International) 

for high baritone and piano 
Duration: 18 minutes 
Available from Classical Vocal Reprints 
  
  
Of a Certain Age (2007) 
(Six songs on poems of Lisel Mueller and Judith Baumel) 
  
Winner of the National Association of Teachers of Singing Art Song Award (2008) 
Commissioned by Hope Hudson. 
  
for soprano and piano 
Duration: 15 minutes 
Published by Oxford University Press 
  
Drifts and Shadows  (2005) 
(Six songs on poems of Linda Pastan) 
  
Winner – Phyllis Wattis Prize for Best American Song Cycle from the San Francisco Song Festival  (2006-07) 
  
Commissioned by the Mirror Visions Ensemble. 
  
“…the songs are truly beautiful.”      Journal of Singing 
  
for high baritone and piano 
Duration:  16 minutes 
Recorded by Elem Eley and J.J. Penna on Albany Records (Troy 1050) 
Available from Classical Vocal Reprints 
(This work excerpted from Secrets – a 40-minute cantata for three voices and piano.) 
  
  
A White Rose  (2003) 
(Song on a poem of John Boyle O’Reilly) 
  
for mezzo-soprano and piano 
Duration: 2 minutes 
Recorded by Mary Nessinger and Jeanne Golan on Albany Records (Troy 1113) 
  
  
glances   (2002) 
(Seven songs on poems of Agata Tuszyńska) 
Commissioned by Mary Ann Hart. 
  
“the musical settings are also delicate and transparent for both voice and piano, …accessible and lovely.”   (Journal of Singing) 
  
for mezzo-soprano (or baritone) and piano 
Duration:  8 minutes 
Available from Classical Vocal Reprints 
  
  
Late Summer   (2001) 
(Three songs on poems of William Heyen, Dickinson, and Stanley Kunitz) 
Finalist –Best American Song Cycle from the San Francisco Song Festival (2005-06) 
  
“…as good as it gets.  This song is the kind that will grace Mr. Cipullo’s repertoire in big fashion and create a legacy for him that will be hard to match.”      (New Music Connoisseur) 
  
for soprano (or tenor) and piano 
Duration:  8 minutes 
Available from Classical Vocal Reprints 
  
Another Reason Why I Don’t Keep a Gun in the House (1998, rev. 2000) 
(Six songs on poems of Billy Collins) 
  
for tenor (or soprano or high mezzo or high baritone) and piano 
Duration: 16 minutes 
Recorded by Paul Sperry on Albany Records (Troy 654) 
Published by Oxford University Press 

  
Climbing: 7 Songs on 8 Poems by African-Americans (2000) 
(Songs on poems by Phyllis Wheatley, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Countee Cullen, Langston Hughes, and Robert Hayden) 
  
for mezzo-soprano (or baritone) and piano 
Duration:  14 minutes 
Available from Classical Vocal Reprints 
  
How to Get Heat Without Fire  (2000) 
(Four songs on poems of Marilyn Kallet) 
  
for soprano and piano 
Duration:  13 minutes 
Recorded by Melanie Mitrano  on Capstone Records (CPS 8756) 
Available from Classical Vocal Reprints 
  
  
The Land of Nod  (1994) 
(Four songs on poems of Alice Wirth Gray) 
  
Commissioned by Paul Sperry. 
  
“…brought genuine smiles…”   The New York Times 
  
for tenor (or soprano) and piano 
Duration:  24 minutes 
Recorded by Paul Sperry on Albany Records (Troy 1145) 
Available from Classical Vocal Reprints 
  
  
Long Island Songs   (1992, revised 2005) 
(Four songs on poems of William Heyen) 
  
for tenor (or soprano) and piano 
Duration: 10 minutes 
Available from Classical Vocal Reprints 
  
  
At the Foxtrot Motel   (1992) 
(on a poem of William Carpenter 
  
 for tenor and piano 
 Duration: 12 minutes 
  
  
  
FOR MULTIPLE VOICES AND PIANO 
  
Insomnia  (2009) 
(Ten movements on texts by various poets) 
  
Commissioned by SongFest at Pepperdine and Cantori New York. 
  
for soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone, and piano 
Duration:  23 minutes 


Secrets  (2002) 
(Fifteen songs, duets, and trios on poems of Linda Pastan) 
  
Commissioned by the Mirror Visions Ensemble. 

for soprano, tenor, baritone, and piano   Duration:  45 minutes 
Recorded by the Mirror Visions Ensemble on Albany Records (Troy 720) 
  
  
A Visit with Emily   (1998, rev. 2001) 
(21 songs, duets, and trios on texts of Dickinson and T.W. Higginson) 
  
Commissioned by the Mirror Visions Ensemble. 
  
 "…a major vocal masterwork.”  New Music Connoisseur 
  
 for soprano, tenor, baritone, and piano 
 Duration:  45 minutes 
 Published by Oxford University Press 
  
  
Aubade   (1996) 
(on a scene from Romeo and Juliet) 
  
Commissioned by the Mirror Visions Ensemble. 

for soprano, baritone, and piano             Duration:  7:25 
  
  

FOR SOLO VOICE AND MULTIPLE INSTRUMENTS 
  
The Ecuadorian Sailors   (1994) 
(on a poem of William Carpenter) 
  
 “…beautifully-instrumented accompaniment…”   The New York Times 
  
 for mezzo-soprano, flute, viola, and harp 
 Duration:  8 minutes 
 Available from Classical Vocal Reprints 
  
The Cove    (1996) 
(on a poem of Kay Boyle) 
  
Commissioned by the Mirror Visions Ensemble. 
  
For soprano, viola (or cello), and piano  Duration:  7 minutes 


Rain (1992) 
(on a poem of William Carpenter) 
  
“…prosody is just right for the words and at the same time very singable.”    (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) 
  
For tenor, flute, violin, viola, cello, percussion, harp, and piano 
Duration:  11 minutes 
Recorded by Paul Sperry on Albany Records (Troy 1145) 
  
  

FOR TWO VOICES AND MULTIPLE INSTRUMENTS 
  
Landscape with Figures  (1997) 
(on a poem of William Carpenter) 

“The most impressive piece [on the program] was the last: Tom Cipullo’s  Landscape with Figures.”             The New York Times 
  
 for boy soprano, bass-baritone, violin, and piano 
 Duration:  8 minutes 
Recorded by Robert Osborne on Albany Records (Troy 1145) 
Available from Classical Vocal Reprints 
  

The Husbands 
(on a poem of William Carpenter) 
  
Commissioned by the New York Festival of Song. 
  
“a poignant mini-drama.”   Chicago Sun Times 
  
for soprano (or high mezzo), high baritone, flute, viola, and piano 
Duration:  10 minutes 
Available from Classical Vocal Reprints 
  
FOR CHORUS AND INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLE 
  
The Shadows Around the House  (1996) 
(Four movements on poems of Jaime Manrique) 
  
Commissioned by Cantori New York. 
  
“…fresh, attractive music…”                American Record Guide 
  
for SATB chorus, string quartet, and percussion 
Duration:  22 minutes 
Recorded by Cantori New York on PGM Records 
  
  
  
FOR CHORUS AND ORCHESTRA 
  
  
Credo for a Secular City (2015) 
(Cantata on Texts of Various Others) 
  
Commissioned by the Cecilia Chorus. 
Premiered at Carnegie Hall, April 25, 2014. 
Duration: 30 minutes 
  
  
Voices of the Young  (1999) 
(Six movements on texts of New Jersey High School students) 
  
Commissioned by the Monmouth Civic Chorus. 
  
“Voices of the Young received a major ovation last night… “    (Classical New Jersey) 
  
for SATB chorus and orchestra 
Duration:  25 minutes 
  
  
  
FOR SOLO INSTRUMENT AND PIANO 
  
Entr’acte for Cello and Piano (2007) 
(excerpted from the opera Glory Denied) 
Duration: 5 minutes 
  
  
Passionate Sacrament  (2010) 
                for violin and piano 
Duration: 5 minutes 
            First Performance:  10/8/2010  Robert Sechi, violin  Roberto Mingarini, piano 
            Teatro Carlo Felice – Auditorium Eugenio Montale    Genoa, Italy