Cole Porter

American composer and songwriter Cole Porter was born into a wealthy family in Peru, Indiana on 9 June 1891. At Yale he studied English, music and French, and whilst at Harvard he switched studies from law to music.

Drawn to musical theatre, he wrote the lyrics as well as the music for his songs, many of which became lasting hits.

His most successful musical was Kiss Me Kate in 1948, which won the first Tony Award for Best Musical, and ran for 1,077 performances in New York and 400 in London.

Cole Porter died from kidney failure in Santa Monica, California on 15 October 1964, aged seventy-three.

A selection of articles about Cole Porter

CD Spotlight. Great Entertainment - SOMM Recordings' second volume of film music, enjoyed by Gerald Fenech. 'Iain Sutherland and his Promenade players display no want of energy and each track is tackled with effervescence and enthusiasm, making the music sound even more exciting than it was thought to be.'

Ensemble. Diction and Projection - A performance by The Hills Singers impresses Keith Bramich

Ensemble. American Light Opera - Opera North enthralls the audience at the Ravenna Festival in Cole Porter's 'Kiss me Kate', by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Delirious Joy - Opera North's 'Kiss Me, Kate' impresses Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Excellently Contrasted - Mike Wheeler listens to tenor saxophonists Don Weller and Bobby Wellins, backed by a rhythm section and a string quartet from Sinfonia Viva

Record Box. Enjoyable Artistry - Stanley Wilson sings Cole Porter, reviewed by Anna L Franco

Ensemble. Music in Captivity - Malcolm Miller was at a lecture recital by Ronald Senator, with Teresa Gobel and Miriam Brickman

Ensemble. Sparkling Performances - Yvonne Kenny and Iain Burnside at London's Wigmore Hall, reviewed by Robert Hugill

Ensemble. A haunting future - Roderic Dunnett praises two recent productions at newly restored Grange Park Opera