Beeson considered himself first and foremost an opera composer; his greatest success was with 1965's Lizzie Borden at City Opera. As a professor of composition at Columbia University, Beeson has influenced a new generation of composers, including Charles Wuorinen, Phillip Ramey, Alice Shields, Joan Tower, Harvey Sollberger, Bright Sheng, and Richard Einhorn.
Operas
Jonah Libretto by the composer after the play by Paul Goodman. 1950
Hello Out There, opera in one act Libretto by the composer after the play by William Saroyan. 1954, Columbia University, New York, New York
The Sweet Bye and Bye Libretto by Kenward Elmslie. 1957, Julliard Opera Theatre, New York, New York
Lizzie Borden, opera in three acts Libretto by Kenward Elmsie after a scenario by Richard Plant. March 25, 1965, New York City Opera
Sorry, Wrong Number (1966)
My Heart's In the Highlands Libretto by the composer after the play by William Saroyan. 1970, NET Opera Theatre (television premiere)
Captain Jinks of the Horse Marines (1975)
Doctor Heidegger's Fountain of Youth, chamber opera in one acts Libretto by Sheldon Harnick after the story by Nathaniel Hawthorne. 1978
Cyrano, Heroic comedy in music Libretto by Sheldon Harnick after the play by Edmond Rostand. 1990
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