Anthony Addison

On behalf of the National Opera Association, and with my special personal regards, I offer condolences to Tony's family. Tony and I became close friends through NOA. He was a wonderful colleague to us all. I enjoyed hosting him at West Texas A&M University as guest conductor of a production of Falstaff.

Tony Addison, was instrumental in my formative years of opera at CIM. He taught me so much and prepared me for the professional world. 45 years later I still use so many of his ideas and technical know how which I have passed on to the younger generation. It's an unbroken line, between Goldovsky, and Addison, to me, and I'm sure to many others of his followers. RIP, Anthony Addison. You are not forgotten.

Tony was a beloved teacher who introduced me to the sheer joy of performing opera. He was my teacher at Interlochen and at the Cleveland Institute of Music for 6 years. We stayed in touch over the years and he came last spring to the St. Vincent school to see my students perform the Sound Of Music. I use his wisdom and insight into music in my teaching every day...I can never thank him enough for all I have gained by knowing him and learning from him.

I'm so sorry for your (and our) loss. I knew Tony for only a few years, but he was always kind, and made me feel like a special friend. I'll particularly miss him at HCO concerts, where it was always a pleasure to see him. I'm so glad he provided the opportunity to see him and more of his friends one last time.

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

A life well lived. Sorry for your loss.

I would be remiss if I did not tell this humorous story from 1972 when I was Tony's assistant conductor with the CIM Youth Orchestra. It is indicative of the passion and humor he could bring to the talented young players in his charge.

Tony was conducting a movement from a Dvorak symphony and he stopped at one point to give direction to the viola section. His remarks were very specific and very clear. When he finished, one of the violists in the section spoke up and suggested an...

My condolences for your loss. May you be a support to one another at this difficult time.

When I was a new graduate student at the Cleveland Institute of Music in 1972, I was assigned as a conducting assistant to "Mr. Addison", who was then the conductor of CIM's Youth Orchestra. Always the thorough, kind, and energetic mentor, our relationship morphed into a friendship as the years passed. When I became CIM's Director of Admission, I could always count on Tony's occasional friendly visits to my office. I remember him fondly and will miss him. Heartfelt condolences to all who...