Nathaniel Hawthorne Music

Hester Prynne at Death

Composer Stephen Paulus wrote this chamber music opera based on Hawthorne's character. It premiered in 2004 at the 92nd Street Y in New York City.

The Scarlet Letter—The Musical

Since its premiere in Edinburgh, Scotland in 2001, this musical -based on Hawthorne's novel - has traveled the globe. It's supposed to be pretty good, even if it sometimes strays from its roots (apparently, there's some Puritan rapping).

Dr. Heidegger's Fountain of Youth

Composer Jack Beeson wrote an opera based on Hawthorne's short story entitled "Dr. Heidegger's Experiment." The story is about a doctor who claims to have obtained waters drawn from the fountain of youth.

The House of the Seven Gables

Hawthorne's dark thriller has also been turned into an opera, this time by composer Scott Eyerly. This performance is by the Manhattan School of Music Opera Orchestra.