Chris Opperman
Chris Opperman (1978) is an American composer. His music can be described as a cross between alternative rock from the 1990s and 20th century classical music.
He orchestrated the guitar music of Steve Vai and Mike Keneally for their respective performances with the Dutch Metropole Orkest.
One of Opperman's biggest inspirations is Frank Zappa.
"My high school trumpet teacher, Charlie Guzzo, had a poster on his wall for Zappa's Universe and I thought Frank looked like a brilliant mad scientist. Charlie raved about Frank's music, inspiring me to buy my first Zappa album (the “Zappa's Universe” tribute concert), which prominently featured Mike Keneally. After that, I was completely obsessed and spent my high school years collecting every Frank Zappa CD. When friends would hang out in my basement, it was understood that we would all be listening to Zappa." (http://blog.finalemusic.com/post/2011/07/05/Finale-Spotlight-on-ComposerPianist-Chris-Opperman.aspx)
"Frank Zappa was the first composer who was able to inspire me to make music when I was a teenager in Clifton, New Jersey. As I read his interviews I got to know the music of the Second Viennese School (Arnold Schönberg, Anton Webern, Alban Berg), Edgard Varèse, Igor Stravinsky, Charles Ives and others, who were all a large influence on my own compositions." (German interview: http://www.zappanale.de/zappanale/de/zappanale-22/bands-mainstage/285-r-interview-chris-opperman.html)
He also performed at the Zappanale on August 21, 2011.
