It’s hard to imagine a small opera house surviving in NYC 1) for 59 years, 2) as a self sustaining operation, and 3) on the Bowery! And keep in mind that, although the Bowery is somewhat gentrified now, for much of the 20th century (and Amato’s history), it was considered quite a poverty-stricken, crime-ridden area, home of the infamous Bowery bums. This small gem is one of those NYC “secrets”; it certainly is not on the tourist radar and currently does not even have a listing at Wikipedia.

The Amato Opera has been permanently located at the small white building at 319 Bowery since 1964 – prior to that, it had a number of venues and a prior permanent home on Bleecker Street (click here for a complete history). The opera company, started and run as a husband and wife operation by Tony and Sally Amato, has been a training ground for thousands of young performers, many of whom have gone on to perform at leading houses. They perform well known and lesser-known operas by major composers and also do Operas-in-Brief, an educational program. Ticket prices are far less than at major opera houses.

Characteristic of NYC’s style as a study in contrasts, Amato Opera is next door to the rock club CBGB. If you are at all favorable to opera, I would recommend it as a refreshing alternative to the larger opera houses…