
Arnold Weinstein
Playwright, Librettist
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Biography
Arnold Weinstein
Arnold Weinstein (1927–2005) was an American poet, playwright, and librettist whose career was marked by a wide range of collaborations in theatre, opera, and music. Born in New York City, Weinstein studied at Harvard University, where he developed his love for literature and writing, and later completed graduate work at the Sorbonne in Paris. His cosmopolitan education shaped his style, blending American lyricism with European modernist influences, and set the stage for his lifelong engagement with multidisciplinary art forms.
Weinstein was particularly known for his fruitful collaborations with major American composers. He worked extensively with William Bolcom, with whom he created the libretti for operas such as McTeague (1992) and A Wedding (2004, based on Robert Altman’s film). Together, they also produced cabaret songs and theatrical works, often blending humor, satire, and pathos in a distinctly American idiom. Weinstein’s ability to adapt language to musical settings made him a sought-after partner for composers eager to balance accessibility with sophistication.
In addition to his work with Bolcom, Weinstein collaborated with Philip Glass on the opera Galileo Galilei (2002), co-writing the libretto alongside Mary Zimmerman and John Eaton. His contributions helped shape the text’s poetic balance between historical authenticity and theatrical imagination. This project demonstrated his flexibility as a librettist, moving seamlessly from contemporary satire to historical biography while always keeping an ear tuned to musical rhythm and phrasing.
Beyond opera, Weinstein’s career included plays, poetry, and translations. He brought works from French literature into English, expanding access to European texts for American readers and theatre-makers. His versatility allowed him to move comfortably between high art and popular entertainment, from intimate cabaret pieces to large-scale operatic productions, always with a deep sense of humanity and wit.
Weinstein’s legacy lies in his distinctive voice as a writer who bridged poetry and performance. His libretti and texts continue to resonate in productions across the United States, highlighting his skill in crafting words that inspire music while standing firmly on their own as literature. Remembered for his collaborative spirit and sharp linguistic imagination, Arnold Weinstein remains a vital figure in the history of American opera and musical theatre.
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