Richard Rodgers (1902-1979) was an American composer whose work helped define twentieth-century musical theatre. Born in New York, he formed two of Broadway’s most successful partnerships, first with Lorenz Hart and later with Oscar Hammerstein II.

His stage works include Pal Joey, Oklahoma!, Carousel, South Pacific, The King and I and The Sound of Music. His melodies also entered orchestral and popular concert repertory through many arrangements.

Rodgers’s music is melodically fluent, theatrically astute and emotionally direct. He could write sophistication, charm, yearning and dramatic purpose into a tune with astonishing economy.

Although rooted in Broadway, his best music has travelled far beyond it. Rodgers knew how to make a song walk straight into public memory and sit down as if it owned the chair.