Elizabeth Rudolph is a Chicago-based composer “whose music takes advantage of the rhythmic complexity of minimalism to emphasize thoughtfully composed melodic storytelling.” according to contralto Katherine Dalin. Rudolph’s music has been commissioned, performed, and/or recorded by VOX3, Third Eye Theater, New Moon Opera, Chicago Fringe Opera, Fresh Squeezed Opera, Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus, Interlochen Arts Academy Chorale, and Opera on Tap-Chicago. Her evening-length opera, Imogen, had its (workshop) debut with New Moon Opera in 2019. Here, Rudolph shed convention and voiced and scripted roles to be genderless, smartly designing a work that gives more singers an opportunity to be heard and represented. Rudolph is an established classical soprano in her own right, and enjoys collaborating with working artists to create new classical music in all formats, especially art-songs. “Singing her music is always immensely musically and dramatically fulfilling.” says soprano Mary Govertsen.
Other commissions include, The Widow’s Will (soprano, mezzo, baritone, oboe/english horn and string quartet; with librettist Bilal Dardai) for Chicago Fringe Opera and the 2021 Decameron Opera Project, Petticoats&SlideRules (soprano, mezzo, violin, cello and optional piano) for Third Eye Theater Ensemble, Lincoln Square (soprano and cello) for the Chicago Fringe Opera City of Works project, Just a Phase (TTBB Choral) for the Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus on the 50th anniversary of Stonewall, The Third Night (baritone, bass clarinet, and piano) for VOX3, La Belle Dame sans Merci (SATB chorale) and Incidental Music for The Tempest (mixed chamber music [and Ariel songs]), for Interlochen Center for the Arts.
She earned degrees from Roosevelt University (MM) and St. Olaf College (BM) where she studied composition with Dr. Peter Hamlin and Dr. Timothy Mahr, but began composing at the age of 14 under the tutelage of Dr. Alan Hirsch, then finished high school at Interlochen Arts Academy where she advanced her composition and music theory study with Dr. Elaine Broad-Ginsberg.