Samuel Barber

American composer of orchestral, opera, choral, and piano music, considered one of the most celebrated composers of the 20th century. His "Adagio for Strings" (1936) has earned a permanent place in the concert repertory of orchestras. He was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Music twice: for his opera Vanessa (1956–1957) and for the "Concerto for Piano and Orchestra" (1962). Also widely performed is his Knoxville: Summer of 1915 (1947), a setting for soprano and orchestra of a prose text by James Agee. At the time of his death, nearly all of his compositions had been recorded.

In his late teenage years he met fellow Curtis Institute of Music schoolmate Gian Carlo Menotti, who became his partner in life as well as in their shared profession. In 1943, Barber and Menotti purchased a house in Mount Kisco, New York.

Barber spent many years in isolation, suffered from depression, and was also beset by alcoholism. He died of cancer on 23 January 1981 in New York City at the age of 70.