Stephen Schwartz, a six-time Tony Award nominee and recipient of the Isabelle Stevenson Award, has signed an exclusive global publishing agreement with Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG). UMPG is the global publishing division of Universal Music Group.
With this deal, UMPG will hold the exclusive and global rights to the majority of Schwartz’s song catalog (excluding songs from “Godspell” and “Pippin”).
Schwartz earned his first Main Stem credit in 1969 with “Butterflies Are Free,” for which he wrote a song bearing the same name. After “Pippin,” “The Magic Show” and “Godspell,” Schwartz directed “Working,” for which he also adapted the book and composed original music and lyrics. He then went on to write the lyrics for “Rags.” Schwartz also wrote songs and lyrics featured in “Fosse,” before penning the score to “Wicked,” which is currently being adapted into a two-part movie musical.
In addition, has written scores to musicals such as “The Baker’s Wife” and “Children of Eden.” Schwartz has collaborated with Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony winner Alan Menken on songs for several Disney films, including “Pocahontas,” “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” and “Enchanted.” He also wrote songs for the DreamWorks animated film “The Prince of Egypt.” Schwartz has won three Oscars and four Grammys for his work.
Schwartz has also written operas, such as “Seance on a Wet Afternoon” and choral works.
“I am very much looking forward to working with Evan Lamberg and his superb team at UMPG,” Schwartz said in a statement. “I value the great expertise and imagination they bring, and I have already experienced their high level of support and encouragement. I know we'll enjoy this adventure together.”
Lamberg, UMPG president of North America, said, “Stephen Schwartz is one of the greatest generational hit songwriters of all time. From ‘Wicked’ to ‘The Magic Show,’ to all his wonderful songs for animated features and so much more, it’s a true honor for Jody Gerson and myself to welcome Stephen to our UMPG family as his global music publisher.”
Universal Music Publishing Group is a prominent global music publisher representing music across all genres.
