Alice Shields is an avant-garde American composer and vocal performer whose pioneering work has bridged the realms of electronic music and opera. Shields' compositions are often characterized by their innovative integration of electronic soundscapes with traditional operatic elements, a blend that has established her as an influential figure in contemporary classical music. Born in New York City, Shields was a protégé of electronic music trailblazers such as Vladimir Ussachevsky and Otto Luening and has a rich academic background with a Ph.D. in music composition from Columbia University.

Her repertoire spans various forms, but she has gained particular acclaim for her electronic operas, with "Alice Shields: Apocalypse, An Electronic Opera" being a notable example. In this work, Shields confronts the profound themes of human conflict and its consequences with a complex sonic tapestry that showcases her adeptness at fusing electronic and vocal elements. Shield's contributions to the field of electronic music have been recognized in the compilation "Pioneers of Electronic Music," which highlights the significant early contributions made by composers in this genre. Furthermore, her composition "Shenandoah" displays her versatile ability to create emotionally compelling music that can resonate with a wide audience, embodying the rich cultural tapestry of American folk music within an electronic context. Shields' music continues to inspire new generations of composers and challenges the boundaries of opera and electronic music.

Genres

Acousmatic

Electroacoustic Composition

Latest Release

Alice Shields: Apocalypse, An Electronic Opera

Alice Shields•

Jim Matus•

Michael Willson

Album - 14 Tracks - Released January 1, 2007