Quotes

"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)