Sally Amato(1917-2000)

Serafina Bellantone was born on 27 September 1917 in The Bronx, New York, USA. She met her future husband, Tony Amato, while performing in a musical comedy production at the Papermill Playhouse in New Jersey. They were married in 1945. In 1948, Sally and Tony opened the Amato Opera Theater in the basement of Our Lady of Pompeii Church in Greenwich Village. They later moved to 159 Bleecker Street where they developed one of the first off-Broadway theater companies. In 1963, the Amato Opera Theater moved to 319 Bowery Street where they are still currently based. Tony Amato continues to work as Artistic Director. Sally and Tony Amato received many accolades during their fifty-two years working in theater. They were inducted into the City Lore's Peoples' Hall of Fame and received commendations from the American Cultural Roundtable and the Italian Heritage and Cultural Committee. They were also the subject of a PBS documentary, "Amato: A Love Affair With Opera". Sadly, she passed away on 16 August 2000 following a long illness. Her funeral was held on 19 August 2000 at Our Lady of Pompeii Church in Greenwich Village and she is buried at City Island Cemetery.