“Paola is an artistic visionary….there is a kind of energy system that follows her and her work wherever she goes.”

– Philip Glass

“Ms. Prestini is known for pushing the boundaries of classical music, in part through collaborations — with poets, filmmakers and conservationists, among others.”

– The Wall Street Journal

Through an illustrious career being equal parts creator and connector, composer Paola Prestini is known both for her “otherworldly…outright gorgeous” music (The New York Times), as well as the “visionary-in-chief” (Time Out New York) and Co-Founder/Artistic Director of the non-profit music organization National Sawdust.

Over 25 large scale artistic works are the result of Prestini joining forces with conservationists, poets, virtual reality film directors, astrophysicists, and puppeteers.

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LATEST NEWS

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May 19, 2021
Paola and Beth Morrison to Creative Direct '21c Liederabend, Op. Worldwide'
The first program of the 'Contemplations from National Sawdust' series celebrating the organization's 5th anniversary.
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PERFORMANCES

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The Red Book at Caramoor

Thalea Quartet performs the world premiere of Paola's string quartet 'The Red Book' at Caramoor on April 11, 2021

RECORDINGS

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December 4, 2020

Con Alma

Composer Paola Prestini and vocalist/composer Magos Herrera present Con Alma, an operatic tableau on isolation that will be released as an album recording and live digital experience, featuring original works alongside classic songs from the Mexican and Jazz songbook.

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COMPOSITIONS

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Sensorium Ex

2023

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Opera

Commissioned by Beth Morrison Projects and the Atlanta Opera, impact producing by Enact Lab. Chamber Opera. Libretto by Brenda Shaugnessy, direction by Tomer Tzvulun.

Old Man and The Sea

2023

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Opera

Cello grand opera inspired by Hemmingway. Libretto by Royce Vavrek, direction by Karmina Šilec, produced by Beth Morrison Projects. Workshop and premiere, The Croatian National Theater.

Untitled, inspired by Film Stills

2021

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Opera

Monodrama for mezzo soprano, piano and electronics. Co-commissioned by the Kennedy Center, San Diego Opera, The Momentary at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Arts and National Sawdust.

“New York retains a remarkable cadre of composers...chief among these is the singular figure of Paola Prestini”

– Financial Times

RECENT PRESS

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March 11, 2021

New Sounds #4470, Songs About Climate Change

Listen to work by New York composer Paola Prestini, in collaboration with climatologist Andrew Kruczkiewicz, who studies early warning systems for extreme events such as floods, storm surge from tropical cyclones, wildfires and landslides.

New Sounds
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FOR LATEST NEWS

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