The work uses an English language libretto by Dorothy Fee and the composer which is based on William Shakespeare's play of the same name.
[1] Considered Giannini's most popular work, it was one of three finalists named for the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 1953.
[2][3] Giannini began composing The Taming of the Shrew in 1938 while finishing work on his earlier opera, The Scarlet Letter.
It was broadcast nationwide in the United States on March 13, 1954 and was notably the first opera to be telecast in color.
[7] In 1979 the Wolf Trap Opera staged the work with singers Julian Patrick (Petruchio) and Anna Moffo (Katharina).