On April 19th, 2005, Frank Graffeo submitted his resignation to the Executive Committee of the Opera Board.  With the birth of his son, Lorenzo (aka "Enzo"), in December 2004, Frank found that his commitments to the opera company and his increasing popularity as guest conductor were impinging on time he wanted to spend with his family.

We're all very sad to see Frank go.  In his five years as director of the KOC, the company put on some of the finest productions in its 25-plus-year history.  He brought a new level of musicianship to the company and inspired and challenged chorus member, instrumentalist, and principal alike.  But he also recognized the sense of enjoyment and camaraderie that has pervaded KOC productions since the beginning.  He was always quick to recognize when the rehearsal atmosphere was getting ponderous and crack some joke to lighten the mood and refocus everyone on making great music.  Backstage, one not knowing Frank's face would be hard put to pick him out of the rambunctious mob of principals, symphony players, production crew, principal cast, and chorus members. 

Frank's sense of community was also well-known.  From speaking at local Rotary clubs to being "guest bartender," severing, beer and (if one dared ask) mixed drinks, at a local pub to raise money for the KOC.  In 2002, Frank planted the seed of what has become the largest, most successful downtown event in the history of Knoxville, the Rossini Festival.  It was an ambitious project.  Not only did Frank propose mounting two opera productions in separate downtown theaters, but he "connected" them with an Italian Street Fair that has become one of the largest events in the southeast.  During the 2005 event, an estimated 60,000 people spent a wonderful Saturday afternoon downtown on Gay Street, eating freshly-prepared fare from Knoxville's finest resaurants, listening to and watching local performing artists on four separate stages, and perusing a wide variety of crafts from local vendors.

Knoxville Opera Company is a family.  And like all families, it's often painful to see a family member leave town to take a new job.  But we're all very excited about the new opportunities that are awaiting Frank and Christy and Enzo.  And they can be sure that they have left the opera company and, indeed, Knoxville, a better place.  

Knoxville Opera Company Press Release

Frank's KOC Bio

4/21/05 Knoxville News-Sentinel Article