Biography

Anthony Amato was born on July 21, 1920 in Minori, Campania, Italy. He met his future wife, Sally Amato, while performing in a musical comedy production at the Papermill Playhouse in New Jersey. They were married in 1945. In 1948, Tony and Sally 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. He continues to work as Artistic Director. Tony and Sally 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, Sally passed away on 16 August 2000 after a 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.
- IMDb mini biography by: Calliope

The Amato Opera closed after 64 continuous years in 2009. Maestro Amato is now going to be teaching classes as an emeritus professor at Manhattan School of Music.

Continues to work as Artistic Director of the Amato Opera Theater in New York City.

"What they remember most about the opera company is that when they come to the theater, they feel the warmth of a family, the intimacy of the opera, which no other theater, I think, could supply them with. We've had the luck to have a very small theater and keep it small because small is beautiful. Small opera that is grand, but small, but grand." (on what he hopes people get out of seeing his opera company perform)

"We've done many premieres at the Amato Opera, especially early premieres of Verdi. Verdi is my favorite composer; naturally, Mozart is right there with him. I think one of the biggest musical achievements we did was when we tackled the American stage premiere of Boito's 'Nerone'. That was a very large undertaking." (on his greatest theatrical accomplishment)

"One of the main reasons was to find a platform for the young American artists to perform in opera, on the stage with full scenery, full chorus, lighting, in a good production. There were very little opportunities for this when we started this company. There were almost no opportunities at all." (on his reasons for starting an amateur opera company)

"We were in the chorus together and on the first day of rehearsal I accidentally touched her back a bit with my foot. She glared at me and thought I was an awful Italian." (on meeting his future wife, Sally)

"I think that did it - her love for music, her warmth, her home growing family. All these things, I knew she was the one to be my mate...I think I made a terrific choice." (on falling in love with his future wife, Sally)