Giuseppe Cesare Balbo was an Italian conductor, critic and music teacher who eventually moved to and taught in New York City. He was born in 1888 and was educated at the Royal Conservatories of Music in Florence and Lucca (Italy). Balbo studied under Francesco Paolo Frontin, Marco Enrico Bossi, Antonio Scrontino, Cesare Bacchini and Gaetano Luporini . He began his career in his twenties as an orchestra conductor, conducting both orchestral and choral organizations, and winning two first prizes of a cappella choral societies. Balbo was the editor of L’Italia Musicale in Florence, and wrote several articles for it and other music magazines. After moving to America he studied at Columbia University under Peter Dykema, then went on to focus on teaching bel canto singing, composition, and harmony. He continued to occasionally write for Italian and American music publications. He died on January 30, 1976, at the age of 88.
From the guide to the Giuseppe Cesare Balbo papers, 1903-1956, (The New York Public Library. Music Division.)
