David T. Bartolotta

It's now been a year since David died. I still think of him so often. I am still surprised when I remember that he is gone. I still feel an emptiness when I want to laugh with him or share a wonderful meal at his table or watch him happy at his barbecue or peel lemons with him for his limoncello or exchange a knowing look across the orchestra pit at the Opera House or visit friends together or read his naughty emails or shop at Trader Joe's or listen to his stories or see that...

You know...there are few men that I identify with....mostly I love women...but when my woman friend introduced me to David... I found a man that not only could cook ....but could understand......me.
Its April and I just sipped Limoncello...He taught me to make Limoncello.... I miss David Bartolatta soooo much.
Gary

My condolences to David's family. I just received news of his passing. It has been over 20 years since I have been in David's company, but I think of him from time to time with great fondness. He was kind, funny, and a lovely musician. He will be greatly missed.

My sympathy to both David's direct family, and the extended family at the Opera House. There will always be a void now, not seeing him in the pit or coming out the stage door.

David’s friendship and affection extended to Alaska, where we first met when he was performing on a cruise ship. A mutual friend said that he should look up this amateur bassoonist in Juneau, so he did, and we hit it off very well. A couple of years later, I visited David in San Francisco, helping him with his computer and he gave me bassoon lessons. We had another great Alaskan afternoon on his next cruise, and we went hunting mushrooms. What a surprise.

That long weekend...

David was one of the most kind, most giving, fun-loving people I knew; there wasn't anything he wouldn't do for you if you were his friend. I met David at the end of 1993 when I joined the Mycological Society of San Francisco. We got together often: most often he'd call me over to share something delicious he was going to make for dinner, which was again the case on May 20th, which was the last time I saw him.
He had been looking forward to celebrating Mother's 89th (or 90th?) birthday...

What a shock to read in SF Classical Voice about David! I know he will be missed by so many. I feel lucky to have had the privelege of playing with such a beautiful man when I lived in SF. A great loss!

My condolences to the family.
I knew david since I was a child, and I was saddened to hear of his passing.
My prayers go out to the family.