October 27, 1927:
Dominick Argento is born at 262 East College Avenue, York, Pennsylvania, USA, the first child of Michael Argento and Nicolina Amato, both Italian immigrants.
May 22, 1951:
Songs About Spring, a cycle for soprano and piano by Dominick Argento (23) to words of cummings, is performed for the first time, at Peabody Conservatory, Baltimore, the composer at the keyboard. See 14 July 1960.
April 14, 1954:
Sicilian Limes, an opera by Dominick Argento (26) to words of Olon-Scrymgeour after Pirandello, is performed for the first time, at Peabody Conservatory, Baltimore, conducted by Hugo Weisgall (41). The accompaniment is two pianos, one of which is played by the composer.
September 6, 1954:
Dominick Argento (26) marries Carolyn Bailey, a singer.
May 5, 1956:
An orchestral suite from Dominick Argento’s (28) unperformed ballet The Resurrection of Don Juan is performed for the first time, at the Eastman School of Music, Rochester, New York. See 24 May 1959.
July 11, 1956:
Divertimento for piano and strings by Dominick Argento (28) is performed for the first time, at the Eastman School of Music, Rochester, New York.
January 17, 1957:
String Quartet by Dominick Argento (29) is performed for the first time, in a student performance at the Eastman School of Music, Rochester, New York.
April 29, 1957:
Ode to the West Wind, a concerto for soprano and orchestra by Dominick Argento (29) to words of Shelley, is performed for the first time, at the Eastman School of Music, Rochester, New York, conducted by Howard Hanson (60).
May 6, 1957:
The Boor, an opera by Dominick Argento (29) to words of Olon-Scrymgeour after Chekhov, is performed for the first time, at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York.
April 23, 1958:
Six Elizabethan Songs, a cycle for high voice and piano by Dominick Argento (30) to words of various authors, is performed for the first time, at the Eastman School of Music, Rochester, New York. See 8 March 1963.
May 24, 1959:
The Resurrection of Don Juan, a ballet by Dominick Argento (31), is performed for the first time, in Karlsruhe. See 5 May 1956.
July 14, 1960:
Songs About Spring, a cycle for soprano and orchestra by Dominick Argento (23) to words of cummings, is performed for the first time, at the Eastman School of Music, Rochester, New York. See 22 May 1951.
March 8, 1963:
Six Elizabethan Songs, a cycle for high voice and baroque ensemble by Dominick Argento (30) to words of various authors, is performed for the first time, at the First Unitarian Society, Minneapolis. See 23 April 1958.
May 31, 1963:
Christopher Sly, a comic opera by Dominick Argento (35) after Shakespeare, is performed for the first time, in Minneapolis at the University of Minnesota.
January 9, 1964:
The Masque of Angels, an opera by Dominick Argento (36) to words of Olon-Scrymgeour, is performed for the first time, in Tyrone Guthrie Theatre, Minneapolis. It is a hit with public and press.
March 22, 1964:
Royal Invitation, or Homage to the Queen of Tonga, a ballet by Dominick Argento (36) to a scenario by Olon-Scrymgeour, is performed for the first time, in a concert setting at Central High School, St. Paul, Minnesota.
January 29, 1966:
Variations for Orchestra (The Mask of Night) for soprano and orchestra by Dominick Argento (38) to words of Shakespeare is performed for the first time, at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.
May 16, 1966:
The Revelation of Saint John the Divine, a rhapsody for tenor, male chorus, brass, and percussion by Dominick Argento (38) to words of the Book of Revelation, is performed for the first time, in Central Lutheran Church, Minneapolis.
June 1, 1967:
The Shoemaker’s Holiday, a ballad opera by Dominick Argento (39) to words of Olon-Scrymgeour after Dekker, is performed for the first time, in Tyrone Guthrie Theatre, Minneapolis. It is a surprise hit, receiving 30 performances.
October 23, 1968:
Letters from Composers, a cycle for high voice and guitar by Dominick Argento (40) to words of several composers, is performed for the first time, at Macalester College, St. Paul, Minnesota.
April 13, 1969:
A Nation of Cowslips, seven bagatelles for chorus by Dominick Argento (41) to words of Keats, is performed for the first time, at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.
July 3, 1969:
Bravo, Mozart for oboe, violin, horn, and orchestra by Dominick Argento (41) is performed for the first time, in Northrup Auditorium at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.
September 11, 1970:
Tria Carmina Paschalia for female chorus, harp, and guitar by Dominick Argento (42) to medieval lyrics is performed for the first time, at Macalester College, St. Paul, Minnesota.
October 14, 1971:
Postcard from Morocco, an opera by Dominick Argento (43) to words of Donahue, is performed for the first time, in Cedar Village Theatre, Minneapolis.
December 31, 1971:
Colonel Jonathan the Saint, a comic opera by Dominick Argento (44) to words of Olon-Scrymgeour, is performed for the first time, in Denver at Loretto Heights College. It is a flop.
October 5, 1972:
A Ring of Time, an orchestral suite by Dominick Argento (44), is performed for the first time, in O’Shaughnessy Auditorium, Minneapolis.
March 9, 1974:
Jonah and the Whale, an oratorio for solo voices, speaker, chorus, and instruments by Dominick Argento (46) to medieval and other texts, is performed for the first time, in Plymouth Congregational Church, Minneapolis.
October 20, 1974:
To Be Sung Upon the Water, barcaroles and nocturnes for high voice, clarinet, bass clarinet, and piano by Dominick Argento (46) to words of Wordsworth, is performed for the first time, at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.
January 5, 1975:
From the Diary of Virginia Woolf for voice and piano by Dominick Argento (47) is performed for the first time, in Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis. See 5 May 1975.
May 5, 1975:
Dominick Argento (47) wins the Pulitzer Prize in Music for his From the Diary of Virginia Woolf. See 5 January 1975.
April 24, 1976:
The Voyage of Edgar Allan Poe, an opera by Dominick Argento (48) to words of Nolte, is performed for the first time, in O’Shaughnessy Auditorium, St. Paul, Minnesota. It was commissioned by the Minnesota Opera to celebrate the bicentennial of the United States. The press is very positive.
May 19, 1977:
A Water Bird Talk, a monodrama by Dominick Argento (49) to his own words after Chekhov and Audubon, is performed for the first time, at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.
September 23, 1977:
In Praise of Music, seven instrumental songs for orchestra by Dominick Argento (49) is performed for the first time, in Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis.
March 22, 1979:
Miss Havisham’s Fire, an opera by Dominick Argento (51) to words of Olon-Scrymgeour after Dickens, is performed for the first time, in State Theatre, Lincoln Center, New York. Reviews vary widely but the work will fail. See 3 June 2001.
May 6, 1979:
A Thanksgiving to God, for His House, an anthem for chorus by Dominick Argento (51) to words of Herrick, is performed for the first time, at Plymouth Congregational Church, Minneapolis.
April 11, 1981:
Peter Quince at the Clavier for chorus and piano concertante by Dominick Argento (53) to words of Stevens, is performed for the first time, in Schwab Auditorium, Pennsylvania State University, College Park. It was commissioned to celebrate the tercentenary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
May 1, 1981:
Miss Havisham’s Wedding Night, a monodrama by Dominick Argento (53) to words of Olon-Scrymgeour after Dickens, is performed for the first time, in Tyrone Guthrie Theatre, Minneapolis.
March 14, 1982:
I Hate and I Love, a cycle for chorus and percussion by Dominick Argento (54) to words of Gaius Catullus, is performed for the first time, in Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis.
April 24, 1982:
Fire Variations for orchestra by Dominick Argento (54) is performed for the first time, at Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota.
February 15, 1983:
The Andrée Expedition, a cycle for voice and piano by Dominick Argento (55) to words of Salomon Andrée, Nils Strindberg, and Knut Frankel, is performed for the first time, in O’Shaughnessy Auditorium, St. Paul, Minnesota.
September 28, 1983:
Casa Guidi, a cycle for mezzo-soprano and orchestra by Dominick Argento (55) to words of EB Browning, is performed for the first time, in Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis.
April 12, 1985:
Casanova’s Homecoming, an opera buffa by Dominick Argento (57) to words of the composer after Casanova, is performed for the first time, in the Ordway Music Theatre, St. Paul, Minnesota. It is very successful and goes on to be produced in New York.
February 27, 1986:
Le Tombeau d’Edgar Poe, an orchestral suite from Dominick Argento’s (58) opera The Voyage of Edgar Allan Poe, is performed for the first time, in Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, Baltimore.
May 16, 1986:
Capriccio for clarinet and orchestra by Dominick Argento (58) is performed for the first time, in Powell Hall, St. Louis. As he is heading toward the stage to acknowledge the applause, the composer takes a wrong turn and finds himself on the street with the door locking behind him. Frantically searching for an entrance, he manages to convince a doorman that he is the composer and finds his way to the stage just as the applause is ending.
March 4, 1988:
Te Deum, an oratorio for chorus and orchestra by Dominick Argento (60), is performed for the first time, in Kleinhans Music Hall, Buffalo.
November 19, 1988:
The Aspern Papers, an opera by Dominick Argento (61) to words of the composer after James, is performed for the first time, in Fair Park Music Hall, Dallas.
March 26, 1989:
Easter Day for chorus by Dominick Argento (61) to words of Crashaw is performed for the first time, in Minneapolis.
July 24, 1990:
A Toccata of Galuppi’s for chorus, harpsichord, and string quartet by Dominick Argento (61) to words of R. Browning is performed for the first time, in Santa Fe.
April 20, 1991:
Everyone Sang for double chorus by Dominick Argento (63) to words of Sassoon is performed for the first time, in Heinz Hall, Pittsburgh.
January 15, 1994:
The Dream of Valentino, an opera by Dominick Argento (66) to words of Nolte, is performed for the first time, at the Kennedy Center, Washington.
July 13, 1994:
Valentino Dances, orchestral excerpts from the opera The Dream of Valentino by Dominick Argento (66), is performed for the first time, in Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis. See 15 January 1994.
September 25, 1994:
To God “In memoriam MB 1994”, an anthem for chorus and offstage trumpet by Dominick Argento (66) to words of Crashaw, is performed for the first time, in Plymouth Congregational Church, Minneapolis.
October 15, 1994:
Spirituals and Swedish Chorales, a cycle for chorus by Dominick Argento (66) to words of Olon-Scrymgeour and Swedish chorales, is performed for the first time, in Ted Mann Auditorium at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.
July 10, 1996:
Valse triste for harp and strings by Dominick Argento (68) is performed for the first time, in Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis.
October 12, 1996:
A Few Words About Chekhov for mezzo-soprano, baritone, and piano by Dominick Argento (68) to words of Chekhov and Knipper is performed for the first time, in St. Paul.
October 26, 1996:
Walden Pond, a cycle for chorus, three cellos, and harp by Dominick Argento to words of Thoreau, is performed for the first time, in Ted Mann Auditorium of the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis on the eve of the composer’s 69th birthday.
November 26, 1997:
Reverie (Reflections on a Hymn Tune) for orchestra by Dominick Argento (70) is performed for the first time, in Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis. It is a reworking of his organ piece Prelude for Easter Dawning.
September 12, 1998:
Miss Manners on Music, a cycle for voice and piano by Dominick Argento (70) to words of Judith Martin (Miss Manners), is performed for the first time, in the Cosmos Club, Washington. It is a commission from Ms. Martin’s husband to celebrate her 60th birthday.
April 11, 2000:
The Bremen Town Musicians, a children’s entertainment for speaker and orchestra by Dominick Argento (62) to words of the Brothers Grimm, is performed for the first time, in the Kennedy Center, Washington.
June 17, 2000:
The Vision, a motet for chorus and string quartet by Dominick Argento (62) to words of Dante, is performed for the first time, in the Church of the Transfiguration, Orleans, Massachusetts. Also premiered is Transfigurations, an ecumenical mass for solo voices, chorus, brass quintet, and organ by Samuel Adler (72).
June 3, 2001:
A revised version of Miss Havisham’s Fire, an opera by Dominick Argento (51) to words of Olon-Scrymgeour after Dickens, is performed for the first time, in Loretto-Hilton Center, St. Louis. Press and public are very positive. See 22 March 1979.
August 10, 2002:
Sonnet 64 (In memoriam 9/11/01), a motet for chorus by Dominick Argento (64) to words of Shakespeare, is performed for the first time, in Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis.
March 22, 2003:
A Few Words About Chekhov, a cycle for two solo voices and orchestra by Dominick Argento (75) to words of Chekhov and Knipper, is performed for the first time, in Ordway Music Theatre, St. Paul, Minnesota. See 12 October 1996.
April 27, 2003:
Orpheus for chorus of treble voices by Dominick Argento (75) to words of O. Sitwell is performed for the first time, at the 92nd Street Y, New York.
October 16, 2004:
Four Seascapes for orchestra by Dominick Argento (76) is performed for the first time, in Eastman Theatre, Rochester, New York to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Sibley Library at the Eastman School of Music.
July 14, 2007:
Three Sonnets of Petrarch for baritone and piano by Dominick Argento (79) is performed for the first time, in Pittville Pump Room, Cheltenham, Great Britain.
March 2, 2008:
Evensong: Of Love and Angels for treble voice, soprano, reader, mixed chorus, and orchestra by Dominick Argento (80) to words of the Bible, is performed for the first time, in the National Cathedral, Washington.
March 5, 2009:
Cenotaph for chorus and orchestra by Dominick Argento (81) to words of Sassoon, Binyon, Teasdale, and the Bible is performed for the first time, in Civic Center Music Hall, Oklahoma City.
May 3, 2009:
The Choirmaster’s Burial for chorus by Dominick Argento (81) to words of Hardy is performed for the first time, in Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis.
May 16, 2010:
The Choir Invisible, rhapsody for chorus by Dominick Argento (82) to words of George Eliot, is performed for the first time, in the National Cathedral, Washington.