The Florentine Opera's production of Vincenzo Bellini's "I Capuleti e I Montecchi" ("Romeo and Juliet") runs this weekend and according to Florentine's Amy Erato, the three performances -- 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and a 2:30 Sunday matinee -- are dedicated to Dominic Frinzi, who passed away earlier this year.
Frinzi, a local attorney who twice ran for governor and was deeply committed to the local Italian-American community that he was born into, was also a passionate opera buff, to say the least.
"The Florentine Opera Company is honored to dedicate this production ... to Dominic Frinzi," says Erato. "Dominic was a member of the Florentine's Board of Directors from 1998 until his death in January of this year.
"This is the first time in the Florentine's history that a Bellini opera has been produced. Dominic was a life-long student of Italian opera and had tirelessly promoted his wish that the Florentine present a work by Signore Bellini. He was eagerly awaiting this production and it is with deep respect for the memory of Dominic that this opera is presented in tribute to him."
So, not only can you see a great production and Bellini's coming-out party at the Florentine, you can also join the company in saluting a landmark personality on Milwaukee's opera scene.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
