The woman who loves writing funny operas
The opera composer and singer Carol Sams just turned 80.
Carol Sams, based in Seattle, Washington State, composed 14 operas and more than two dozen operas for children, wrote Librettos and even two film scripts. She was the first woman in the US to receive a doctorate in composition. On November 25, 2025, she celebrated her 80th birthday.
Carol Sams also composed the jingle for my podcast, which I will launch soon. A common friend introduced us. Carol aka “Kia” as friends call her was sitting at a piano and just casually tossed the melody off her wrist. When you listen to our talk, you’ll here Carol sing the refrain. I am still so amazed at how it all worked out, and I’m so grateful to her for it.
My podcast will have a special name and will be available on relevant platforms. I’ll announce the launch here with all the fanfare and of course link to the podcast.
My talk with Carol Sams, Seattle, September 26, 20251
From our common friend Sue who introduced Carol Kia and me I learnt that Kia had a great 80th birthday: Sue threw a big surprise party for her. A group sang a concert of Kia’s music for her - and Sue made a movie of her piece The Marshes of Glynn. She used the world premiere performance from 1976 and went to Glynn County, Georgia, stayed there 3 1/2 days and took almost 1000 photos and videos. Here Sue’s video:
Since I recorded our talk in September 2025, before her 80th birthday, Carol Sams says that she is “almost 80”. However, in the end I edited it so that she says “I am 80” because I want to bring the listeners into the present day, in which Carol Sams has turned 80 years old.