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Alfredo Antonini ( May 31, 1901 - November 3, 1983 ) - was a leading Italian/American symphony conductor and composer who was active on the international concert stage as well as on the CBS radio and television networks from the 1930s through the 1960s ^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}.

Contents 1 Contents 1.1 Biography 1.2 Compositions 1.3 References

[edit] Contents

[edit] Biography

Maestro Antonini was born in Milan, Italy and pursued his musical studies at the Royal Conservatory in Milan. He was a student of the legendary Italian conductor Arturo Toscanini.

During the 1940s he distinguished himself as a conductor of several leading orchestras while performing on the CBS radio network. These included: the CBS Pan American Orchestra (1940 - 1949), the Columbia Concert Orchestra (1949 - 1949) and the CBS Symphony Orchestra. He also conducted live radio broadcasts of the popular program Viva America[1] on the CBS radio network and La Cadena de las Americas (Network of the Americas) in collaboration with such noted artists as Nestor Chayres (Mexican tenor aka "El Gitano De Mexico")[2] and John Serry, Sr. (concert accordionist) ^[5]. He appeared with Nestor Chayres (tenor) at the Night of the Americas Concert series at Carnegie Hall ^[6]. His performances with the Carnegie Hall Pops Orchestra at Carnegie Hall were eagerly anticipated by the general public. ^{[7] [8]}. Aditional performances in collaboration with Juan Arvizu ("El Troubador de las Americas") and the CBS Tipica Orchestra for the Inter-America Music Fiesta at Carnegie Hall attracted widespread acclaim. ^{[9] [10]}.

As a musical director at CBS Television during the 1950s Mr. Antonini was instrumental in presenting an extensive program of classical and operatic music to the general public. His collaboration with Julie Andrews in a production of Cinderella for television was critically acclaimed in 1957. During this decade he also appeared in concert with such operatic divas as Eileen Farrell (soprano) and Beverly Sills (soprano) ^[11]. Later in this decade (1957) Mr. Antonini emerged as the musical director and conductor of the Tampa Philharmonic in Florida.

In addition to performing as a conductor on WOR radio in New York during the 1940s, he appeard as as a guest conductor for leading symphonic orchestras in Chicago Illinois, Milwaukee Wisconsin,Oslo Norway and Chile during the 1950s.

Throughout the 1960s he continued to collaborate with such operatic luminaries as Jan Peerce (tenor), Robert Merrill (baritone)and Franco Corelli (tenor) in a variety of gala concerts ^{[12] [13]}. He also performed with Roberta Peters at the Lewisohn Stadium at City College for an audience of thousands. ^[14]. His musical legacy has been preserved on a variety of LP recordings.

[edit] Compositions

• The Great City
• Sarabande
• Sicilian Rhapsody
• Suite for Cello and Orchestra
• Preludes for Organ
• Suite for Strings
• The United States of America, Circa 1790
• Mambo Tropical

[edit] References

1. ^ The New York Times, July 2, 1948, pg. 24
2. ^ The New York Times, October 5, 1948, pg. 30
3. ^ The New York Times, April 25, 1957, pg. 34
4. ^ The New York Times, February 12, 1960, pg. 22
5. ^ The New York Times', June 9, 1946, pg. 49.
6. ^ The New York Times, May 12, 1946, pg. 42
7. ^ The New York Times, May 17, 1947, pg. 8
8. ^ The New York Times, May 4, 1950, pg. 37
9. ^ The New York Times, October 27, 1941, pg. 21
10. ^ The New York Times, February 1, 1942, pg. D2
11. ^ The New York Times, July 9, 1956, pg. 26
12. ^ The New York Times, December 6, 1964, pg. 114
13. ^ The New York Times, November 14, 1965, pg. 101
14. ^ The New York Times, July 30, 1962, pg. 14.