Jake Landau (he/him), b. 1995, is an American composer of opera, musical theater, ballet, and instrumental music. His works have been performed by the New York Philharmonic, Houston Grand Opera, and Premiere Division Ballet in venues as diverse as Carnegie Hall, Birdland Jazz Club, and the Royal Palace of Amsterdam.
“Landau’s score is lush and lyrical [...] bright and sparkling or ominous...”
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all EVENTSJuly 13th-19th, 2025
RESIDENCY: Rosie, Drama Club Camp
Jake and the writing team behind the musical Rosie will spend a week at Camp, an invite-only writers retreat in Maine sponsored by Drama Club Productions.
August 15th, 2025
CONCERT: In This Short Life
After years of collaboration on stages and in studios, mezzo-soprano Devony Smith and pianist Danny Zelibor are proud to release their first joint album: In This Short Life.
Released June 13, 2025 on Lexicon Classics, the album features a vibrant all-American program brought to life with cellist Michael Nicolas (International Contemporary Ensemble). It’s a bold and emotionally layered celebration of today’s most resonant voices in contemporary art song — composers who speak directly to our time.
Featuring two newly commissioned artsongs by Jake Landau: "Sew My True Love (Jubilee)" and the single "The Sake Of You"
September 12th & 15th, 2025
CONCERT READING: & AETERNA, a new opera
In anticipation of its 2027 production, Off-Brand Opera presents a concert reading of & AETERNA, a new opera by composer Jake Landau and librettist Emily Garber.
Following & AETERNA's world premiere in Narni, Italy and its American premiere last summer at The New Voice Festival in Boise, Idaho, the opera is arriving in New York City. A one-act composed to pair with Henry Purcell's DIDO & AENEAS, & AETERNA calls for Dido's death to not come only from "grief" over Aeneas leaving, but from childbirth. 16 years later, this child, Aeterna, embarks on a journey to confront her father over the death of her mother and discover what kind of leader she wants to be.
This concert reading will be presented in reduction at Opera America, featuring a pit of Baroque violin, piano, and percussion.
ABOUT THE OPERA
After her mother Dido's death and father Aeneas's abandonment, Aeterna has been raised as Carthage’s new queen by the city’s Goddess protector, Juno. When news comes of Aeneas having finally founded Rome—the city he chose over Dido—Aeterna, guided by Juno, sets out to avenge her mother and change the fate of her home. For if she kills Aeneas, then Rome will never rise to destroy Carthage. But Aeterna has spent a lifetime yearning to connect with the parents she has never known, and trying to understand her own place in a world of gods and destiny. As she nears Aeneas on her long, dangerous journey, she must choose: either forgive her father, or kill him. This work grapples with powerful themes of parenthood, legacy, and the costs of becoming “great.”
Like Purcell's DIDO & AENEAS, & AETERNA is well-suited to productions by professional companies, universities and educational festivals, and Early Music groups.
For more information including technical specs, click here.
LISTEN: "Destiny"
an aria sung by the ghost of Dido in & AETERNA
Performed here by Devony Smith (mezzo) and Jake Landau (piano)
Score samples available from Just A Theory Press.
publications
Just a Theory Press
Jake Landau's music is published by Just A Theory Press.To request a quote or a score you don't yet see listed on the site, please visit the link below.
JATP Contact Form
Just A Theory Press
Jake Landau's music is published by Just A Theory Press.To request a quote or a score you don't yet see listed on the site, please visit the link below.
