Anthony Burgess

Anthony Burgess (1917–1993) was a prolific British writer, composer, critic, and librettist, best known for his dystopian novel A Clockwork Orange and for his wide-ranging contributions to literature and music. Though primarily recognized as a novelist and linguist, Burgess also had a deep and abiding passion for music, composing over 250 musical works and contributing libretti to operatic and theatrical projects.

Born John Anthony Burgess Wilson in Manchester, England, Burgess trained in music and literature at the University of Manchester. While he gained international fame for his novels—especially A Clockwork Orange (1962), Earthly Powers (1980), and The End of the World News (1982)—he saw himself equally, if not more so, as a composer.

As a librettist, Burgess demonstrated his command of language, rhythm, and theatrical flair. One of his most notable libretti was for the opera Blooms of Dublin (1982), a musical setting of James Joyce’s Ulysses composed by Burgess himself. He also translated and adapted several classical operas and plays, including works by Offenbach, Bizet, and Molière, bringing his literary and musical talents together in ambitious and stylistically inventive ways.

Burgess’s work in musical theatre and opera reflected his intellectual curiosity and love of blending high and popular culture. His libretti often showcased his flair for wordplay, his musical sensibility, and his desire to make complex material accessible to broader audiences.

Anthony Burgess died in London in 1993, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy as a polymath of the arts. As a librettist, he added another dimension to his creative identity—merging his literary brilliance with his lifelong devotion to music in works that continue to intrigue and inspire.