“The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra has announced that member violist Vincent Lionti has died of COVID-19,” writes Francisco Salazar in Saturday’s (4/4) Operawire. “The orchestra announced the news via social media, stating, ‘We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of one of our own. Vincent Lionti passed away due to complications related to Covid-19. “Vinnie” joined the viola section of the MET Orchestra in 1987…. We’ll miss you, Vinnie.’ Lionti joined the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra on September 1, 1987 after having played with the New York Philharmonic from 1981-1983. He was also a member of the Detroit Symphony from 1983-1987. During his time in Detroit, Lionti was a faculty member of the Macomb Community College, a member of the Lyric Chamber Players, the Renaissance City Chamber Players and a founding member of the Ventura String Quartet. [He] also served as guest Principal Viola for the Indianapolis, New Jersey, American Symphony Orchestras, and the Santa Fe Opera. Lionti served as conductor at the Greater Westchester Youth Orchestras Association, the Usdan Center for the Creative and Performing, the Downtown Sinfonietta of White Plains and of the Merrick Symphony Orchestra. He conducted the NYU Steinhardt School Symphony Orchestra…. He held Bachelors and Masters degrees from the Juilliard School.”
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