Mr. Carter has never been a theatrical composer, but rather a literary one.

The reactions were not spontaneous - in fact, they were well scripted and delivered on cue under the direction of James Wann, a theatrical composer.

But even as the most prominent influence on the younger generation of theatrical composers, his work remains sui generis.

Mr. Turnage is a theatrical composer in both the good and bad senses of the word.

"Kurtag is a hugely theatrical composer," Mr. Sellars said.

On Monday, she performed most of her new album's 14 songs, which showcase a younger generation of theatrical composers.

In the first, Beethoven and Schubert were not theatrical composers.

Kim Oler is an American television and theatrical composer.

While several "traditional" theatrical composers were suggested for An Imaginary Report, Marton preferred to work with popular musicians.

And no one - probably not even Mr. Brooks himself - would suggest that he belongs in the pantheon of American theatrical composers.