For distinguished musical composition of significant dimension by an American that has had its first performance in the United States during the year, Five thousand dollars ($5,000).

Awarded to "Life is a Dream, Opera in Three Acts: Act II, Concert Version" by Lewis Spratlan, premiered on January 28, 2000 by Dinosaur Annex in Amherst, MA. Libretto by James Maraniss.

Columbia University President George Rupp (right) presents Lewis Spratlan with The 2000 Pulitzer Prize in Music.

Finalists

Also nominated as finalists in this category were: "Serenata Concertante" by Donald Martino, premiered on April 19, 1999 at Merkin Concert Hall, New York City, and "contes de feés" by John Zorn, premiered on February 17, 2000 at the Society for Ethical Culture, New York City.