
Jeanine Tesori - from “Fun Home” to the Met Opera
From Classical Music Happy Hour by WNYC, WQXR
April 15, 2026 · 36 min · Episode 7
About this episode
Composer Jeanine Tesori discusses her career, personal experiences, and influences in music.
Composer Jeanine Tesori is a two time Tony Award winner, a two time finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and in 2024, she became the first woman composer to open the Metropolitan Opera Opera season in its 139 year history. On this edition of CMHH she tells Manny about her time living in a lighthouse, about her love of Stravinsky, and why she decided not to be a doctor.
People in this episode
Host: Manny
Guest: Jeanine Tesori
Topics covered
- composition
- opera
- awards
- personal stories
- music history
Keywords
- Jeanine Tesori
- Metropolitan Opera
- Tony Award
- Fun Home
- Stravinsky
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Metropolitan Opera, Tony Award, Pulitzer Prize
Books & works: Fun Home
More episodes of Classical Music Happy Hour
- Ray Chen - superstar violinist wants you to practice · May 27, 2026 · 35 min
- Paquito D’Rivera -Beef, Beans and Benny (Goodman) · May 20, 2026 · 28 min
- Yefim Bronfman - master of the keyboard · May 13, 2026 · 33 min
- Isabel Hagen - likes a good viola joke · May 6, 2026 · 32 min
- Nicholas Britell - more than that one viral theme song! · April 29, 2026 · 34 min
- David Hyde Pierce - a.k.a. Niles Crane · April 22, 2026 · 33 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Classical Music Happy Hour podcast page.