Cleofonte
an Italian musical director, born at Parma, Italy, in 1860. He studied music at the Royal Conservatory at Parma and made his first appearance as director in that city in 1881. His reputation spread rapidly through Italy and to other countries of Europe, and to South America. From 1897 to 1906 he was principal director of the Royal Opera, Covent Garden, London. His first visit to America was made in 1883, and from 1906 to 1909 he was director of the Manhattan Opera Company. From 1910 to 1913 he was general musical director of the Chicago and Philadelphia opera companies. He was general manager of these companies since 1913. Among notable productions which he conducted were "Salome," "Natoma," "Thaïs," "Samson and Delilah," and "Monna Vanna." He received many orders from the crowns of Italy, Austria, Spain, and Portugal, and from several countries in South America. He died in 1919. a