Samuel Barber

Fun Facts

  • Born into a musical family, Barber decided as a child that he would become a composer.

  • At the age of seven, Barber completed a musical! He attempted to write an opera when he was ten.

  • Barber received a Pulitzer Scholarship that enabled him to travel to Rome to further his musical education.

  • Barber's most famous work, Adagio for Strings, was composed when he was 28 years old.

  • Barber won Pulitzer Prizes for his 1958 opera Vanessa and his 1962 Piano Concerto.

  • During World War II, Barber served in the Army Air Corps.

  • After harsh criticism of his opera Antony and Cleopatra, Barber became depressed and fell into alcoholism for a time.

More Resources

Fun Facts

Check out our collection of interesting and (some) little known facts about Barber.

Biography

View Samuel Barber's full biography.