Who composed the music for the Broadway musical Sweeney Todd?

Stephen Sondheim composed the music for the Broadway musical Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

Sondheim also wrote the lyrics, while Hugh Wheeler wrote the book. The musical is based on Christopher Bond’s 1973 play, which reimagined the Victorian-era urban legend of a murderous barber and his accomplice, Mrs. Lovett. The story follows Sweeney Todd’s return to London and his pursuit of revenge against Judge Turpin.

The original Broadway production opened in 1979 at the Uris Theatre, now the Gershwin Theatre. Harold Prince directed, and Len Cariou and Angela Lansbury starred as Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett. The score is known for its recurring “Dies Irae”-inspired motive, dark orchestration, and operatic scale.

Sweeney Todd is often called a “musical thriller” or “musical horror,” rather than a conventional comedy. Sondheim’s authorship can be confused with his role on other shows, but here he was responsible for both music and lyrics.