Solon Alberti

(b Mt Clemens, MI, Dec 6, 1889; d Chicago, IL, Oct 16, 1981). American pianist and accompanist. He was one of 11 children, all musical. His early years were spent in Chicago where he studied cello and piano. He graduated from the Chicago Musical College at 18 and taught there from 1910 to 1914. He conducted the college orchestra, directed its opera workshop, and began his career as an accompanist. At the age of 24 he moved to Kansas City to head the piano, theory, and music history departments at the Conservatory of Music (1914–19); he was also conductor of the Kansas City Opera Association. In 1920 he went to New York, where he lived for the rest of his professional life. His summers were spent conducting opera workshops in various universities and conservatories. He toured extensively with such artists as Melchior, Schumann-Heink, Ruffo, Kullman, Bonelli, Teyte, Meisle, and De Luca. First working as a coach, he became well known as a singing teacher. He was organist and choir director at the Park Avenue Christian Church, ... Show Less