Chester Kallman

About

Twentieth-century American poet and librettist. His poetry collections include Storm at Castelfranco and The Sense of Occasion; his co-written libretti include The Bassarids and Elegy for Young Lovers.

Before Fame

He studied at Brooklyn College and at the University of Michigan. He published his debut poetic work, An Elegy, in 1951.

Trivia

He spent many of his summers in Austria and Italy and passed his winters in New York and Greece.

Family Life

He collaborated with W.H. Auden on several libretti. He and Auden were close friends and, occasionally, lovers.

Associated With

He wrote the libretto for a 1951 Igor Stravinsky opera entitled The Rake's Progress.