Herschel Garfein

Grammy-Winning American Composer and Librettist

Herschel Garfein is a Grammy Award-winning American composer, librettist, and stage director. He is perhaps best known for his work on the opera "Elmer Gantry," which is based on the novel by Sinclair Lewis. Garfein wrote the libretto for this opera, which was composed by Robert Aldridge. "Elmer Gantry" premiered in 2007 and has since received critical acclaim, including two Grammy Awards in 2012 for Best Contemporary Classical Composition and Best Engineered Album, Classical. Garfein's multifaceted career in the arts also includes teaching; he has served on the faculty of the Steinhardt School at New York University, where he imparts his knowledge to students in music and performing arts professions. His contributions to contemporary opera and vocal music have established him as a notable figure in the field.