Opera
Opera has always been a part of Trenton’s musical history. Taylor Opera House, opening March 18, 1867 at 18 S. Broad street was the city’s first theater. Founded by John Taylor, creator of Taylor Ham showcased performances by Mark Twain, Ethel Barrymore and George M. Cohan. In 1921, it converted into a movie and vaudeville palace known as Keith’s Capitol Theater, later renamed the RKO International. The theater was demolished in 1969.
Famous Trenton Opera Performers
Richard Crooks
An American tenor born in Trenton, NJ June 26, 1900 and attended Trenton Central High School. He made his operatic debut in Hamburg, Germany in 1927. Returning to America in 1930, his American debut was in Philadelphia in 1930.
From 1928 to 1945, he was the host of the radio program “The Voice of Firestone”.
Gloria Lane
An American mezzo-soprano born in Trenton, NJ June 6, 1930. Having no formal training, she won the Philadelphia Inquirer’s annual “Voice of Tomorrow Contest” in 1948. In 1949 she won a scholarship to the Tanglewood Music Center where she made her debut with the Boston Symphony Orchestra performing in scenes from “Carmen”. She returned to Philadelphia in 1950 playing the Schubert Theatre. Her career included performances in New York City, Canada, Berlin, Venice and Rome, retiring in 1976. In retirement, she taught privately in Los Angeles.
Jason Adamo
A versatile bass-baritone and actor born in Trenton, NJ. A graduate of Mannes School of Music in New York City, he performs frequently with the Baroque Orchestra of NJ, Eastern Opera of NJ and the Amore Opera in NY.
Joseph Pucciatti
pianist, teacher, conductor and composer born in Trenton, NJ. A graduate of Trenton State College (now TCNJ) completed 41 years with the Trenton Board of Education. He was Music Director of the Greater Trenton Choral Society for 17 years. In 1989, he founded the Boheme Opera Company with his wife/colleague Sandra Milstein-Pucciatti conducting 50 opera productions and 32 oratorio presentations. In 1993, he founded the award winning Trenton Central High School Orchestra. In 2008, Joseph became director of the Choir at Our Lady of the Angels parish in Trenton