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JOHN TENAGLIA -Baritone: born in South Philadelphia February 5, 1964 to parents Frank (Francesco) and Dorothy (nee Cavella). Bred from Italian - American parents, John was exposed to the cultural elements of his Italian heritage. In 1978 Tenaglia family was invited to a performance of Puccini's Madama Butterfly being presented at the Forum Theater in South Philadelphia. The person singing Pinkerton that night was renowned tenor Frank Munafo (a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music). John was so inspired by Munafo singing, it lit a fire in the young man's heart for Opera. Having minimal musical training he started listening to recordings of the late great Mario Lanza, Mario Del Monico, Beniamino Gigli and Richard Tucker. Unfortunately, nature took it's course and his voice changed. No longer was he able to sing as a tenor with his recordings. John's first formal vocal training started at his alma mater South Philadelphia High School. This is where he met mentor William Yeats. Yeats, renowned tenor and also graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music was the choir director at South Philadelphia High School. Mr. Yeats recognizing the passion for singing in John as well as his talent, made a deal with the young man. "If I teach you, you have to promise me "that you'll take it seriously and when the time comes pass it on to others." Tenaglia agreed!  Mr. Yeats work with John every day after school for the 3 years that he attended South Philadelphia High School.  This was all free of charge and based on this promise.  John was accepted on scholarship to the Philadelphia College of the Performing Arts where he studied with famed teacher Vivian Wagner.  John earned a Bachelor of Music and Masters of Music Degrees in 5 years of study finishing in 1986.  In the summers he traveled the country as a member of the "Tenaglia Trio" with his wife Soprano Joan Tenaglia and younger brother, Tenor Frank Tenaglia (another prodigy of William Yeats). They performed Operatic and Crossover Concerts. Quite often they were invited to perform as headliners with the Legendary Pat Cooper, the Late Arturo Coppola in Concert Halls and Major Italian Festivals. Even at this tender age, his recognition became well noticed from his participation in competitions and auditions. Making a name as a young verismo baritone. As a young singer he had numerous performances of Marcello and in Puccini's La Boheme, Papageno in Mozart's Flute and Count Almaviva in Le Nozze di Figaro, Baron Zeta Franz Lazar's The Merry Widow, Pish-Tus in Gilbert and Sullivan's Mikado and Silvio in Leoncavallo's il Pagliacci. Now coming into his 30's the youthfulness is becoming more mature and needed to find a teacher who can help a natural singer grasp a mature technique. John bounced around New York with all the top teachers. Boyajian, Barrett, Di Giuseppe, Joan Patenaude Yarnell but finally made a connection with Gary Magby. Magby not only taught John how to use is now mature voice but the spirituality and musicality that comes with it. Now being hired for more demanding roles such as Tonio in Leoncavallo's Pagliacci, Sharpless in Puccini's Madama Butterfly, Scarpia in Tosca, Gianni Schicchi-Gianni Schicchi. Germont in Verdi's La Traviata, Rigoletto in Rigoletto and Anonasro in Aida. Tenaglia was also Mr. Jenkins in Libby Larson's the world premiere of "A Wrinkle in Time" throughout Tenaglia's career he's sung with Prestigious Opera companies some of which include OperaDelaware, Chautauqua Opera (also where he served his union apprenticeship), Opera Company of Philadelphia, New York City Opera, Pennsylvania Opera Theater, Cape Cod Lyric, Florentine Opera, Florham Opera, Berks Grand Opera, Chicago Symphony, Chautauqua Symphony, Haddonfield Symphony, Warminster Symphony. He has won or been a finalist in the prestigious: Mario Lanza Competition, Luciano Pavarotti Competition, Sergio Franchi Scholarship, Metropolitan Opera Eastern Regionals and National Finalist Association of Teachers of Singers (N.A.T.S. Two-time 1st place winner). Aside from Tenaglia's operatic career he extensively performed the sacred works of Laudes Avangeli (United States Premiere Bruno Rigacci Conductor) Handel's Messiah, Mendelssohn's Elijah, Mozart Requiem, Verdi Requiem, Faure Requiem, Mozart C Minor, Liszt Via Crucis. Brahms Requiem, Beethoven’s 9th Symphony. He recently retired after 26 years as Music Director and Conductor of the Adult Choir and Orchestra at St. Peter Roman Catholic Church in Merchantville New Jersey. He has recorded with world renowned violinist Nadja Salerno Sonnenberg on her Christmas CD which was recorded live at St. Peter Church in 2010. John also sang on several of the "Voices for Children" Christmas CD's, a collaboration of accomplished professional Philadelphia Classical Musicians all to benefit pediatric aids. Along with a demanding performance schedule, Mr. Tenaglia kept his promise to Yeats and manages to maintain a private voice studio of young professional singers. Luna Pliers (talk) 16:48, 9 September 2020 (UTC)