Maestro Anton Coppola

 

ROGER RE-UNITES WITH MAESTRO COPPOLA AND FRIENDS

Maestro Anton Coppola simply is a National Treasure and one of the greatest conductors, composers, and musicians who ever lived. Opera singers all over the world desire to sing and learn from this incredible man. I am proud and honored to continue to work with him but much more important is the friendship we’ve developed with Maestro and his lovely and inspiring wife, Almerinda.  For those of you who may not be familiar with The Maestro, a brief vita follows:

Maestro Anton Coppola (b. March 21, 1917) is a renowned American opera conductor and composer. He is the uncle of film director Francis Ford Coppola and actress Talia Shire.

Life

Coppola started his career at the age of eight with the Metropolitan Opera Children’s Chorus. Coppola served as an army bandmaster during World War II, conductor at Radio City Music Hall and director of both the Symphony and Opera Departments at the Manhattan School of Music. He holds a Master’s degree in composition and honorary Doctorates from the University of Tampa and Quinnipiac University in Connecticut.

Works

Among his works are a violin concerto, an opera, Sacco and Vanzetti; a symphony, and numerous film scores, including The Godfather Part III and Dracula. In the 1950s and 1960s, Coppola was the musical director of six Broadway musicals including Silk Stockings and Giovanni, for which he was nominated for a Tony. Coppola collaborated with the Royal Opera Orchestra and opera soprano Angela Gheorghiu to release a recording of Puccini works. He was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Puccini Foundation and recognized by the Italian government as Cavaliere, Gran Ufficiale. He debuted with the New York City Opera in 1965, conducting the world premiere of Jack Beeson's Lizzie Borden, and led performances of Carmen (with Beverly Wolff, Richard Cassilly and Norman Treigle), La Traviata, Il Barbiere di Siviglia, and Madama Butterfly during the same year. For Desto, he then conducted the first recording of Lizzie Borden. In 1970, at the Seattle Opera, Coppola led the world premiere of Carlisle Floyd's Of Mice and Men and his great opera, Sacco and Vanzetti, premiered in Tampa to acclaimed reviews.

Now over 90 years young, Anton Coppola still serves as Maestro of Opera Tampa.

(Click on the photos to view enlargements!)

	Three old friends re-united after 12 years when they were all at the Shubert Opera Company, New Haven, Ct. Judy Lisi, Maestro Coppola.
	Maestro Coppola signs Roger's 1993 poster - "Cav-Pag" - the last time Roger sang with Maestro and the Shubert Opera Company's final production
	Roger with Executive Director of the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Judy Lisi.
	Maestro Coppola enters the stage of the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center to a standing ovation.
	Roger with Judy Lisi. Judy first hired Roger in 1991 when she was Executive Director of the Shubert Performing Arts Center in New Haven, Ct.
	Roger on the set of Aida.
	Roger on the set of Aida.
	Roger and wife Debbie on the set of Aida at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center Opera Gala, May, 2005.
	Roger re-unites with the legendary Maestro Anton Coppola after 13 years.
	Roger shows Maestro Coppola the Cav/Pag promotional poster dated 1993 from the Shubert Opera Company.
	Roger discusses opera with Maestro Coppola and friends.
	Roger & Debbie - Dinner with Maestro Coppola and wife Almerinda in Tampa
	The Coppola Family - Maestro turns 90
	Judy Lisi - CEO of the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center
	Maestro and his lovely wife Almerinda
	Maestro's 90th celebration in NYC
	Cast party with Maestro after successful Sacco &; Vanzetti opera.

 

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