Frank and Josephine Fragale

Biography / Administrative History

Frank Fragale (1894-1955), a native of Sciara, Italy, received his music education at the Bellini conservatory in Palermo. He continued his studies in New York with Julius Gold, a teacher he felt very indebted to. In 1915 he joined the San Francisco Symphony and Opera as a bass-clarinetist. He combined a performing and composing career. His most important compositions were the Fantasia for cello and piano which won him an honorary recognition at the Third International G. B. Viotti Competition, and his opera Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, with a libretto by W. Erich. The opera was premiered in 1953 at the Berkeley Garfield Theater with Earl Bernard Murray and Marsden Argall as conductors of the orchestra and chorus. The performers were volunteers from the Berkeley Opera Workshop and the local Musicians Union.