Trivia

Has a burial plot next to lifelong friend and romantic partner Samuel Barber. Since he has little savings and lives on royalties of his operas, Barber put in his burial provisions that a marker acknowledging him be put there even if he has no money for his body to be moved.

Shared a home in Westchester, New York, with Samuel Barber for many years.

The New York Times referred to him as the most-performed opera composer in the United States.

Founded arts festivals in three countries: the Festival of Two Worlds held in Spoleto in his native Italy; Spoleto USA in Charleston, SC; and another in Melbourne, Australia, which helped several renowned performers get their start, among them Shirley Verrett, Patrice Chéreau, Paul Taylor and Twyla Tharp. Called the most performed opera composer in the US by The New York Times, several of his English-language operas were extremely popular in the US.

Left the Spoleto Music Festival USA in 1993, after disagreements with the festival board over artistic and financial direction and control.

Studied at the Verdi Conservatory in Milan, Italy; and Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Close friend of American composer Stanley Hollingsworth (1924-2003).

Also wrote music for ballet, orchestra, and other productions, as well as the librettos for all his operas.

Was an Italian citizen, but called himself Italian-American.

Founder of both the Festival of Two Worlds in Spoleto, Italy, and the Spoleto Festival USA, in Charleston, South Carlina.

Composed his first full-length opera at age 11.

Two-time Pulitzer Prize recipient.

Began composing at age 7.

Won the Pulitzer Prize for music in 1950 for "The Consul" and again in 1955 for "The Saint of Bleecker Street.".

Survived by a son, Francis Menotti.

Studied with Leonard Bernstein and Samuel Barber at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, PA, where he returned to teach after completing his program.

His music for "Amahl and the Night Visitors" was not nominated for an Emmy until four years after he had composed it.