Alfred Genovese
Encyclopedia
Alfred Genovese was principal oboe
of both the Boston Symphony Orchestra
and the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.
Genovese was born on April 25, 1931 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
. He began his study of the oboe at age 16 with John Minsker, former English hornist of the Philadelphia Orchestra
, and later studied with world-renowned oboist Marcel Tabuteau
at the Curtis Institute of Music
in Philadelphia. In 1953 he joined the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
. He was principal oboe of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra from 1956–59, and then played for a season in the Cleveland Orchestra
under George Szell
.
Genovese was principal oboe of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra for 17 years, from 1960-77. He then joined the Boston Symphony Orchestra
as associate principal oboe from 1977–87, and subsequently served as principal oboe from 1987 until his retirement in 1998.
Genovese performed at the Marlboro Festival with Rudolph Serkin, and also played at the Casals Festival
in Puerto Rico
for many years beginning in the mid-1950s. He taught at New England Conservatory and Boston University
.
Genovese died in Philadelphia on March 11, 2011 after a debilitating series of lung infections and complications from two heart attacks.
Oboe
The oboe is a double reed musical instrument of the woodwind family. In English, prior to 1770, the instrument was called "hautbois" , "hoboy", or "French hoboy". The spelling "oboe" was adopted into English ca...
of both the Boston Symphony Orchestra
Boston Symphony Orchestra
The Boston Symphony Orchestra is an orchestra based in Boston, Massachusetts. It is one of the five American orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five". Founded in 1881, the BSO plays most of its concerts at Boston's Symphony Hall and in the summer performs at the Tanglewood Music Center...
and the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.
Genovese was born on April 25, 1931 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. He began his study of the oboe at age 16 with John Minsker, former English hornist of the Philadelphia Orchestra
Philadelphia Orchestra
The Philadelphia Orchestra is a symphony orchestra based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States. One of the "Big Five" American orchestras, it was founded in 1900...
, and later studied with world-renowned oboist Marcel Tabuteau
Marcel Tabuteau
Marcel Tabuteau was a French oboist who is generally considered the founder of the American school of oboe playing.-Life:...
at the Curtis Institute of Music
Curtis Institute of Music
The Curtis Institute of Music is a conservatory in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that offers courses of study leading to a performance Diploma, Bachelor of Music, Master of Music in Opera, and Professional Studies Certificate in Opera. According to statistics compiled by U.S...
in Philadelphia. In 1953 he joined the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra is a professional American symphony orchestra based in Baltimore, Maryland.In September 2007, Maestra Marin Alsop led her inaugural concerts as the Orchestra’s twelfth music director, making her the first woman to head a major American orchestra.The BSO Board...
. He was principal oboe of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra from 1956–59, and then played for a season in the Cleveland Orchestra
Cleveland Orchestra
The Cleveland Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Cleveland, Ohio. It is one of the five American orchestras informally referred to as the "Big Five". Founded in 1918, the orchestra plays most of its concerts at Severance Hall...
under George Szell
George Szell
George Szell , originally György Széll, György Endre Szél, or Georg Szell, was a Hungarian-born American conductor and composer...
.
Genovese was principal oboe of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra for 17 years, from 1960-77. He then joined the Boston Symphony Orchestra
Boston Symphony Orchestra
The Boston Symphony Orchestra is an orchestra based in Boston, Massachusetts. It is one of the five American orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five". Founded in 1881, the BSO plays most of its concerts at Boston's Symphony Hall and in the summer performs at the Tanglewood Music Center...
as associate principal oboe from 1977–87, and subsequently served as principal oboe from 1987 until his retirement in 1998.
Genovese performed at the Marlboro Festival with Rudolph Serkin, and also played at the Casals Festival
Casals Festival
The Casals Festival is a classical music event celebrated every year in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in honor of world renowned musician Pablo Casals.-Background:...
in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
for many years beginning in the mid-1950s. He taught at New England Conservatory and Boston University
Boston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
.
Genovese died in Philadelphia on March 11, 2011 after a debilitating series of lung infections and complications from two heart attacks.