GREGORY SPEARS is a New York-based composer who has been commissioned by the New York Philharmonic, Santa Fe Opera, The Lyric Opera of Chicago, Cincinnati Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Seraphic Fire, and The Crossing, among others. His latest opera Castor and Patience, written in collaboration with former U.S. Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith, was commissioned by Cincinnati Opera for their 100th anniversary and premiered in 2022. The opera was named in the New York Times's Best of Classical Music Performances 2022. They are currently writing a new opera for Santa Fe Opera ("The Righteous") for premiere in summer 2024. Spears' opera, Fellow Travelers (Gregory Spears: Fellow Travelers (Live)), written in collaboration with Greg Pierce, premiered at Cincinnati Opera in 2016. It was hailed as “one of the most accomplished new operas I have seen in recent years” (Chicago Tribune) and an opera that “seems assured of lasting appeal” (The New York Times). His Requiem (Spears: Requiem) was released by New Amsterdam records in 2011. Spears' first opera, Paul's Case, written in collaboration with Kathryn Walat, was described as a "masterpiece" and a "gem" (New York Observer). Recent commissions include The Tower and the Garden for a consortium of choirs including The Crossing. Spears also scored the soundtrack for the British feature film Macbeth (Kit Monkman, director). He teaches composition at Purchase College (SUNY). His music is published by Schott Music and Schott PSNY.