Thomas Lawrence Toscano
BME University of Denver,
MM New England Conservatory
MM Yale University
An internationally active orchestral/opera conductor since 1979 (He spent the early years of his career as a singer, playing roles as diverse as Tamino, NEC production(Zauberflote, Britten Serenade at Peabody Conservatory and the Evangelist in Bach's St. Matthew Passion,University of Virginia and innumerable premieres including - with Zeitgeist at Carnegie Hall) - he began his "serious" composing in 1996, with Dear Mama, and later that year Summer's Dream. A Summer's Dream was premiered in 1997 at the inaugural concert of the Greenwich Village Philharmonic, founded by Mr.Toscano and contrabassist Joseph Russo. Most relevant compositions include La Dolente Via/Tutto Passa(premiered in Milano)2002, and Messaggio e Domanda (premiered in Catania, Sicily2003 ; American Premiere at the Grandin Festival, CCM-University of Cincinnnati 2004). "Sin Rok - Fresh Green" written for Soprano and Cello, (in Korean and English simultaneously) was premiered in NYC on October, 30th, 2003. In April 2005 "13 Canzoni Siciliane" were premiered in Vizzini, Sicily and in July 2005 " La Caccia al Lupo" Text Giovanni Verga, a dramatic opera in one act, was premiered at the Vizzini Music Festival. June 15, 2006, "Una Piedra Negra sobre una piedra blanca" Text - Cesar Vallejo, premiered at Carnegie Recital Hall. "Caccia alla Volpe" Text Giovanni Verga, a comic opera in one act - scheduled to be premiered at the Vizzini Music Festival July, 2006. A new duet was created for Pacific Opera's performances at Carnegie Recital Hall, in June of 2007 with the world premiere of the duet Risanalo per Te, September 2007 saw the creation of a new performing organization. OperaOGGINY. A new performing opportunity for young professional singers. Dec.2007 saw a reading of Il Peccato di Donna Santa, Toscano's third in his Giovanni Verga trilogy. 2008-2010 saw 9 productions with OperaOGGINY, the discovery of Williamsburg's Lost Theater, McCaddin Memorial Theater and it's ressurrection. 2010-2011 will see more performances with OperaOGGINY, including a Philip Glass opera, and more premieres of new works.