Amato Opera Reborn Off the Bowery as Amore
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
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The company of Amore Opera, formerly Amato Opera, on moving day.
- Join the Discussion [2]
Only in Manhattan's opera world can Amato be reborn as Amore.
The Amato Opera was a landmark on the Bowery for 61 years until being sold last spring by long-time impresario Anthony Amato. But the sets and the singers of Amato will live on. They have formed a new opera company, Amore Opera, and will launch their inaugural season in December.
The first performance for the new company will be La Boheme. Amore Opera will perform at the Connelly Opera House on E. 4th Street. Connelly is a 99-seat space located in a historic 19th century school building. The miniature opera house featuring a pressed tin ceiling, a proscenium arch over a raised stage, and a horseshoe-shaped balcony. It was renovated and reopened in 1997 after being closed for 10 years.
Although the Amore Opera has moved onto a new stage, company president Nathan Hull says the ties to its Amato past are strong.
“We are very honored that after 61 years of running the Amato Opera that Maestro Anthony Amato has given us his blessing," he wrote in a statement. "We are especially thrilled that Tony has demonstrated his confidence in us by giving us over 30 complete opera productions including all of the sets, costumes and props.”
The launch of Amore Opera was first reported on Musical America (via ArtsJournal.com).
Comments [2]
A visit to Amato Opera always used to be one of the high lights of my annual visit to NYC, more so than performances at the MET.
Very happy to learn this tradition will be continued by Amore Opera.
Best wishes from Germany for a successful enterprise !
Lucy Weed, a former maid-of-all work for Tony, just shared this with me. Best of luck to you all! Bob Cumming (former Editor of Music Journal and colleague of Dr. Sigmund Spaeth), and former director of the Village Light Opera Group. The acoustics of the new place sound flattering indeed! Hope to get in there, have dinner at Fedora's, and soak up a few sounds. :)
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