Minnesota-born composer Stephen Paulus has died at the age of 65 following complications of a stroke. Paulus was best known for his operas and choral music, including The Postman Always Rings Twice, based on the popular 1934 crime novel by James M. Cain.

A prolific composer and co-founder of the American Composers Forum, Paulus wrote over 500 works, including 400 pieces for chorus and 55 orchestral works. During his lifetime Pauls served as composer-in-residence for the Atlanta Symphony, the Minnesota Orchestra, and others.

In 2003, Choral Journal noted that Paulus was one of a very select number of American composers able to make a living solely as a composer.