Role

:

Conductor

Birth

:

March 21, 1917 in Brooklyn, NY

Death

:

March 9, 2020 in New York City, NY

Genre

:

Opera

 

 

Orchestral

 

Anton Coppola is a renowned classical music artist who has made significant contributions to the world of music. Born on March 21, 1917, in New York City, Anton Coppola was the youngest of three brothers. His father, Carmine Coppola, was a composer and conductor, and his mother, Italia Coppola, was a pianist. Anton Coppola grew up in a musical family and was exposed to music from a young age. Anton Coppola began his musical career as a violinist, studying under the renowned violinist Louis Persinger. He later switched to the viola and joined the NBC Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Arturo Toscanini. Anton Coppola's talent as a musician was evident from a young age, and he quickly rose through the ranks to become the principal violist of the NBC Symphony Orchestra. In 1941, Anton Coppola joined the United States Army and served as a musician in the Army Band. He was stationed in Europe during World War II and performed for troops in France, Germany, and Italy. After the war, Anton Coppola returned to the United States and continued his career as a musician. Anton Coppola's career as a conductor began in the 1950s when he was appointed the music director of the Tulsa Philharmonic Orchestra. He went on to conduct many other orchestras, including the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and the San Francisco Opera. Anton Coppola was also a frequent guest conductor at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. One of Anton Coppola's most significant achievements was his work as the conductor of the world premiere of the opera "Sacco and Vanzetti" by composer Marc Blitzstein. The opera tells the story of two Italian immigrants who were executed in the United States in 1927 after being falsely accused of murder. The premiere of the opera was a major event, and Anton Coppola's conducting was widely praised. Anton Coppola also had a successful career as a composer. He composed several operas, including "Sacco and Vanzetti," "Lady Swanwhite," and "Blind Date." He also composed music for films, including "The Godfather Part III," "Dracula," and "The Black Stallion." Anton Coppola's contributions to the world of music have been recognized with numerous awards and honors. In 1986, he was awarded the National Endowment for the Arts Opera Honors Award. In 2002, he was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters. In 2011, he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Italian American Foundation. Anton Coppola continued to perform and conduct well into his 90s. He passed away on March 9, 2020, at the age of 102. His legacy as a musician, conductor, and composer will continue to inspire future generations of classical music artists.

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