Ciro Del Gaudio

Ciro was born in Neath, Wales, on December 25, 1960. He was truly a Christmas present to the world. His family moved to Brooklyn, New York in the mid 1960’s where Ciro developed an interest in music, particularly vocal music, at an early age.  By elementary school, he was already a soloist in school clubs and productions as well as in several church choirs. In junior high school, he added the French Horn to his interests while continuing his vocal studies. Ciro sang in school productions and  there embarked on a life-long affair with the opera. Under the guidance of Andrew Liotta (composer, tenor, conductor and violinist), Ciro pursued the serious development of his tenor voice and his love of opera. He studied under tenor Berle Sanford Rosenberg in the 1970's and attended John Dewey High School to continue his musical studies. After high school he attended Adelphi University and University of Cincinnati graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Banking and Finance. Though he had a successful career as a corporate tax advisor, Ciro never lost sight of his great passion… opera, and singing.

He married Jana Quinlivan on February 18, 1990 and relocated to Dayton, Ohio. Now he had two great loves.

Over the years, his wife, Jana, grew to share his appreciation of the opera and his  dedication to performing as an opera tenor. In 2010 Ciro was chosen as a finalist in the Cincinnati Opera Idol competition where he received great acclaim for his performance.  Here is a link to that performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIUYRAIMFWA

He passed away at his home on June 15, 2016 at the age of 55, after a long and brave battle with brain cancer. The world lost an angel. Ciro was modest and soft spoken. He was gentle and kind and good. He was loving and smart...protective of friends and family, always concerned for others. He loved to make people laugh and had a great sense of humor. He was a very talented tenor with a voice so beautiful it seemed touched by God.

He is survived by his loving wife, Jana Quinlivan-Del Gaudio, his mother Carolina, his brother Pasquale (Pat), his brother Anthony and wife Francine and nephew Michael Del Gaudio, his mother-in-law Lorraine Quinlivan and his sister-in-law Adair Weiss and husband Arnold and countless dear and loving friends.

Oh Ciro, please know how much we have all been touched by your life and how much we all love you.