Baritone, clarinetist, teacher and conductor Mauro Torrigiotti dies

Mauro Torrigiotti, a baritone in the Seattle Opera Chorus and conductor of the Boeing Orchestra of Flight, died last week of a heart attack at 47. The Milan-born musician also was a clarinetist and a teacher who taught at the Federal Way Academy of Music.

Violinist Ruth Winter, of the Orchestra of Flight, called Mr. Torrigiotti "an immense musical talent" and "a charismatic leader. His knowledge of music amazed us all." He was conversant in jazz, orchestral, band, choral, vocal and opera music, with wide experience in all those genres.

Mr. Torrigiotti was scheduled to conduct a pit orchestra for a Twelfth Night Productions presentation of "Fiddler on the Roof" this summer. Winter said, "We are devastated by his death and don't know how to proceed without him."

Mr. Torrigiotti was married to another singer, Korean-born SooJin Hopes Torrigiotti, and the two often performed together.

A memorial service will held at 1 p.m. Thursday in St. Vincent's Catholic Church of Federal Way, 30525 Eighth Ave. S.