Di Domenica, Robert 1927-....

Robert Di Domenica, American composer, flutist and music educator, was born in New York City on March 4, 1927. He received a BS degree in music education from New York University (1951) and pursued private studies in composition with Wallingford Riegger and Josef Schmid; his principal flute teacher was Harold Bennett. He joined the faculty of the New England Conservatory in 1969, serving as associate dean and dean (1973-1976). Since that time he has taught composition there. As an orchestral flautist he has performed with the New York City Opera, New York Philharmonic Orchestra and other orchestras; his ensemble work has included appearances with the Modern Jazz Quartet, Twentieth Century Innovations Composers' Forum, Bach Aria Group and the series Music in Our Time. He has also played in many Broadway shows. He has taught the flute for many years both privately and as a member of the faculties of the Greenwich House Music School and Henry Street Settlement in New York City (1950-1969). Among his awards and commissions are a Guggenheim Fellowship in composition (1972) and a commission from the Goethe Institute (Boston, 1975). In 1951 he married Leona Knopf, a gifted pianist, who became his collaborator and the intepreter of her husband's piano works. They have three sons, David, Peter Josef and Claude Robert, and four grandchildren. After Leona's death on May 11, 1998, Robert Di Domenica married the composer, flutist, and teacher, Ellen Bender, on Apr. 16, 1999.

Biographical Note

Robert Di Domenica was born in New York City on March 4, 1927. His father, Angelo, was active in his church choir. Robert received a degree in music education from New York University in 1951 and continued private study in composition with Wallingford Riegger and Josef Schmid. He studied the flute under Harold Bennett.

As a flutist he has performed with the New York City Opera, the New York Philharmonic, the Modern Jazz Quartet and the Bach Aria Group, among others. As a teacher he has taught the flute privately and has served on the faculties of the Greenwich House Music School and the Henry Street Settlement. In 1969 he joined the faculty of the New England Conservatory of Music and eventually became dean.

Mr. Di Domenica has been composing since he served in the Navy in World War II. His first serious work, Sonata for Flute and Piano, was written in 1957. He has produced a wide variety of works. His opera The Balcony premiered at the Bolshoi, with Sarah Caldwell conducting. Now retired, Mr. Di Domenica is still composing.

Among his awards are a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1972, and commissions from the Goethe Institute of Boston and the Plymouth Symphony.

In 1951 he married Leona Knopf, a gifted pianist. She has been the interpreter of her husband’s piano works. She has also collaborated with him in his work, including the piano-vocal scores of The Balcony and The Scarlet Letter . David, Peter Josef (who married Patsy Treglis), and Claude Robert (who married Bessie Hadley) are their three sons. They also have four grandchildren. Leona Knopf died on May 11, 1998. Robert Di Domenica married Ellen Bender, a composer, flutist and teacher, on April 16, 1999.