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Mario Leonetti Obituary
October 21, 1918 - September 25, 2010
Mario passed away peacefully on September 25, 2010 surrounded by his family. Mario's legacy of giving unknown singers a chance to pursue their operatic careers will be remembered throughout the community for years to come.
Mario is survived by his three children, three grandchildren, and an extraordinary extended family of friends and colleagues.
Services will be held on October 1, 2010 at St. Charles Borromeo Church in North Hollywood and Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Mario Leonetti
Vicky Brago-Mitchell
September 23, 2021
Mario was-every person is of course unique, but Mario was extraordinary.
And the Casa is gone, and that makes me very sad.
Carol Osborn
September 23, 2020
I can't believe it's been 10 years since you left us for your new opera company in the sky. Please hold a special place in it for me, Mario. I will always sing for you. Every year I love you more. Every year I miss you more. May you hear this message I am sending you now, and may you know I will always bring a Princess Marzipan cake to you on your birthday.
Mario Leonetti Jr.
October 21, 2010
Happy Birthday Dad . I love you .
Vicky Brago-Mitchell
October 20, 2010
Hi Mario
MARY Horoshevsky
October 8, 2010
Mario blessed us all with his life and presence and his love and devotion to music. He cannot be replaced.
May he rest in peace, and know how much he was loved.
Mario & Elva Biscaldi
October 8, 2010
My friends, Mario has left us. But we should not be sad about it. Let’s celebrate his life. A life he always enjoyed living. A life full of opera. First as a gifted tenor and later as an "impresario", and really a good one. He knew all the secrets of the entertainment business. For many years he gave to hundreds of singers and conductors the opportunity to be exposed, through his company, to the world of opera. And I am including myself among them. I joined his group more than 34 years ago, seems like yesterday! We both were Italians, we both were crazy opera lovers and naturally we became good friends ever since.
I said before, let’s not be sad because he is not with us anymore. I am sure he did not want to leave yet, because many things still to do!. And just maybe he asked God for an extension of his time. But I believe the Good God said to him: "No Mario, your mission on Earth it's been accomplished. Now is time for you to be in the good company of many, many opera lovers that have been arriving here before you.”
So I know that he is very happy now surrounded by a celestial world of opera forever.
"Ciao" Mario! …..We will always remember you!!”
Abbi O'Neill
October 7, 2010
Abbi O'Neill
1 day, 22 hours ago
Link to this comment
Mario's teaching turned me into an operatic singer. It wasn't only his technique, it was his unflagging devotion to my progress, and just a wonderful and rock-solid faith in me. He acted as if it were his personal mission to give me confidence in my singing and faith in myself. For that reason I will treasure his memory for the rest of my life. And I know he gave the same gift to many, many other singers, musicians and conductors. He leaves behind a beautiful legacy of the heart
Carol Elaine Osborn
October 6, 2010
One time a young couple stopped us and asked what Mario's secret was for such and long and vibrant life. He said, “I listen a lot.” He was a marvelous teacher who listened for and demanded the best in people. He got upset when it wasn’t forthcoming, but he was also quick to forgive.
All of us that studied with Mario knew he was a master of phrasing and how to pace the breath between the phrases. When he fell ill last February, these words came to mind:
We live between the notes,
In that space where nothing sounds, yet all is sounding,
Close to life itself – could we be confusing silence with death?
There is no death,
In that space which includes all sound, color, feeling,
where can be found The Source…
Why do we run? It is too much - deafening, blinding, piercing,
for our small souls to bear.
Maybe later…
(Meanwhile), with love and gentleness the melody, serene and pure,
Leads us safely to eternity a little.
Thank you Mario, for sharing that melody with us and granting us the opportunity to share it with you.
Antonia Leonetti
October 4, 2010
My father was the greatest father ever. He always supported me in anything I did even if it was'nt what he thought was the best thing for me, he was always there to hear what I had to say. Taking care of him in his last years was fun as my father loved Sundays.
Every Sunday like clock work he would come out to the dinning room for his big breakfast. Those who new him well knew he had a great passion for food. I would serve him his pancakes and orange juice with lots of pulp then a plate of bacon or sausage , 3 sunny side eggs and toast with coffee. Everytime he finished which took him about an hour and a half he always thanked me for the best breakfast ever. When he became ill he would always tell me how he missed my breakfast and hoped to come home soon. We used to talk alot during those sunday's. I miss that and I miss him, and even though we would fight at times he always made sure we didn't go to bed mad. I know he loved me very much I just hope he know's I loved him so so much and he made me feel very important. Daddy keep your eye on me and remember I love you with all my heart !
Lani Bartlett
October 2, 2010
For those who didn't know how impressive Mario's background really was, here's a copy of his bio:
"As a young singer, Mario Leonetti studied with the renowned tenor, Areliano Pertile, in Rome, Italy and coached with Luigi DePalma in New York. He sang leading tenor with New York City Opera as well as Boston Opera and London Opera of Canada. His roles included Edgardo in Lucia, Radames in Aida, and Calaf in Turandot. He sang under contract with MGM as a back-up tenor for the movies. For the past 40 years, he had sucessfully directed and lead the Casa Italiana Opera Company in Los Angeles. We commend Mr. Leonetti for his dedication to this company which inspires new young singers to "get their feet wet." Mario also opened the Pageant of the Masters for several years with his beautiful, melodic voice.
I relistened to a tape of a voice lesson with Mario today, and recalled how sincerely interested in us he really was. He would fondly mention his students by name and their children, and was always an encouraging voice teacher (no matter how bad I sounded, he was never insulting. He would sing the man's part for me on my tape, and at times he went all the way with his voice and it was truly outstanding and impressive, still at age 90. I really will miss this guy.
George Murphy
October 1, 2010
In 1992, UCLA was in financial difficulties due to a State of California budget problem. The UCLA Administration , as a result, gave incentives to older professors - of which, I was one - to take early retirement . This got them on the retirement budget which had lots of money in it. So State funds then could be used to hire enough young profs to keep UCLA's reputation strong and growing. So I with many other older profs because a Professor Emeritus. While we all fully expected to stay on teaching at UCLA,hat was the promise, I for one started thinking about what a retired life should be like. With my usual great luck, I hooked up with Deborah Torrez who was a great singing teacher, and after some months, she advised me to try out for Casa Italiana Opera Company. Mario Leonetti not only took me aboard despite my 57 years of age, but started giving me comprimario parts. I had sung in High School in England, but never dreamt that I would get to sing in the Holltywood Bowl as a chorus member with good friends like Paul Junger. . And the singing helped me in classes. One of my classes grew to be over 400 in size. Thank you, thank you Mario. And all the wonderful friends I have made over the years due to Casa Italiana Opera Company and the wonderful environment that Mario created...
Donald Squillace
October 1, 2010
If Mario had not been there to give me a chance to perform, I am sure I would never be singing today. This story can be repeated by everyone that knew him. Thanks for the encouragement and opportunities you created and for the great music that you brought to all. The casa's 39 years of comeraderie and music making is not a record matched by anyone.
Frank Fetta, a well known conducter, said that all singers in LA at one time or another have sung at the Casa. The Casa has really become an institution thanks to our beloved Mario. It should be noted that this opera company is the longest running company in LA by far. Let's keep it going in his honor
Adrienne Leonetti
October 1, 2010
My father was a dominating presence and someone who had alot of people that loved him. He will be missed by all. He is finally at rest...although I have no doubt he is directing Tosca in heaven!
Adrienne - Loving Daughter
Bill Bartlett
September 30, 2010
I've known Mario for 28 years. I've sung for his company that long and owe a lot to him. He gave me and my wife (as well as others) a chance to perform opera where we wouldn't have gotten one otherwise. Our whole group under him felt like one big family. While we had our squabbles, Mario was the glue that held us together. He kept us marching forward like the grand march in Aida. Like in the video "Volunteers for Verdi" he motivated us to give of ourselves in all of his opera productions.
I will greatly miss him.
Aida Monte
September 30, 2010
I met Mario way back in New York. I was playing in the orchestra and he was singing an aria from Traviata "Deh! Miei Bollenti Spiriti". When I heard this beautiful sound I looked up and saw this very handsome man. I went up at the end of the opera and told him what a beautiful voice he had and we became friends ever since. Through the years, I reminded him many times how handsome he was and what a beautiful voice he had. He just grinned but I could tell he was enjoying hearing it over and over!
We would play games on opera, just to show off to see who knew more opera. I used to tell him jokes in Italian and although he wasn't fluid in Italian, he understood every word and we would laugh together. We always had a good time!
Our friendship lasted until a week ago (Thursday), two days before his death. when Bob Milewski and I visited him in the hospital
Mario was a very loyal friend and I shall miss "arguing" with him about who the best tenor in the world was.
Faccio un brindisi a te, Maestro!
Stacey Teruya
September 30, 2010
Mario told me that his debut was as a last minute replacement for Turiddu. He had less than three months to learn the role. Many years later, he gave me my debut under almost identical circumstances.
Mario worked hard for everything he achieved. I shall miss my friend, teacher and mentor.
Faccio un brindisi a te, Maestro!
Mario in the lower right hand corner scrutinizing an I. Pagliacci
Lani Bartlett
September 30, 2010
Mario in the center during bows from our La Boheme
Lani Bartlett
September 30, 2010
September 30, 2010
I personally was very fond of Mario and will miss him. He tried so hard to get me to extend my upper voice, to the point of me hyperventilating and almost passing out. He especially helped me with my favorite role of Lola in Cavalleria Rusticana. He was very encouraging as a voice teacher. I admired his knowledge of the operas including all of the parts and words. (Sometimes he would even sing them for us.) Only he could keep together this long standing opera company where others have tried and failed. He may have had some unusual methods to get this done, but he still did it. Mario is a man that deserves respect and appreciation. I and others feel a big void in our lives with the absence of Mario. He will be missed.
Good night and goodbye Maestro Leonetti
Lani Bartlett
Mario Leonetti Jr.
September 30, 2010
He was a noble man and a dependable father , I will give him honor when his name and memory are mentioned.
Walter Unterberg
September 29, 2010
"My 25 years conducting under Mario at Casa Italiana, 1982-2008, were my intoduction to opera conducting and I shall always remember that he gave me that opportunity. Some of his stagings of standard operas with the limited means at his disposal were highly creative, I remember the collapse of the temple in the last act of Samson & Dalila."
Walter Unterberg
Ashley Quesada
September 29, 2010
The Best Grandpa a girl could ask for!! Rest in Peace Grandpa!! Watch over us!! Love you!!
Ashley Quesada
September 29, 2010
The Best Grandpa a girl could ask for!! Rest in Peace Grandpa. Watch over us!! Love you!!
September 29, 2010
The Best Grandpa a girl could ask for!!! Rest in Peace grandpa!!! Watch over us!! Love you. -Ashley Quesada
September 29, 2010
it was a great 40 years of singing opera roles with Mario, who was a real Italian bell canto teacher, if ever there was one. Thanks Mario, and please keep the opera going on in heaven. Margery Brown
Lenny Porges
September 29, 2010
My father, Ernest Porges, worked with Mario for many years. I have wonderful memories of the operas at Casa Italiana. Bravo Mario - restum in pace.
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