Nico Muhly

Nico Muhly is an American composer and musician known for his innovative works that blend classical, pop, and electronic music. Born in Vermont in 1981, Muhly began his musical career as a boy chorister at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in New York City. He went on to study music at Columbia University and the Juilliard School, where he studied with notable composers such as John Corigliano and Christopher Rouse.

Muhly's early works included pieces for chamber ensembles and solo instruments, such as his 2003 piece "Clear Music" for solo piano and his 2004 work "It Goes Without Saying" for viola and piano. He also began to gain recognition for his collaborations with other musicians and artists, including indie rock band Grizzly Bear, singer-songwriter Antony Hegarty, and choreographer Benjamin Millepied.
In 2006, Muhly made his debut as an opera composer with "Two Boys," a work inspired by a true story of internet deception and murder. The opera premiered at the English National Opera in London and was later staged at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. Muhly's other operatic works include "Dark Sisters" (2011), which explores the lives of women in a polygamous community, and "Marnie" (2017), based on the novel by Winston Graham and later adapted into a film by Alfred Hitchcock.
Muhly has also composed extensively for film and television, with credits including the scores for the films "The Reader" (2008) and "Kill Your Darlings" (2013), as well as the HBO series "How to Make It in America" (2010-2011) and "The Young Pope" (2016). He has also collaborated with Icelandic singer Björk on several projects, including her 2004 album "Medúlla" and her 2011 album "Biophilia."
In addition to his work as a composer, Muhly is also an accomplished performer and conductor. He has conducted the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, among others. He has also performed as a pianist and organist, and has toured extensively as a solo artist and with various ensembles.
Muhly's most recent work includes the 2019 opera "Marnie," which was staged at the English National Opera and the Metropolitan Opera, and his 2020 album "Spiral," which features collaborations with artists such as singer-songwriter Sam Amidon and percussionist Jason Treuting. He continues to be a leading figure in contemporary classical music, known for his boundary-pushing works and collaborations across genres and mediums.