Orchestra conductor dies at the age of 76
Sergiu Comissiona was a principal guest conductor for the USC Thornton Symphony.
Monique Rad
Issue date: 3/23/05 Section: News
World-renowned orchestra conductor and principal guest conductor for the USC Thornton Symphony Sergiu Comissiona died at the age of 76 of a heart attack on March 5, hours before he was to conduct the Oklahoma City Philharmonic Orchestra.
Larry J. Livingston, professor of conducting and the former dean of the Thornton Music School from 1986 to 2002, brought Comissiona to USC in 1997.
"I convinced him to come and see if he could find meaning and fulfillment in our academic setting, thus beginning a nearly decade-long relationship," Livingston said.
As the principal guest conductor of the Thornton Symphony, Comissiona treated his students as if they were colleagues, said Danielle Ondarza, orchestra manager.
"He would be the first to say that he was not an educator," Ondarza said, "He was a professional conductor with professional experience, and he brought that to the school."
Robert A. Cutietta, dean of Thornton School of Music, said his professional demeanor did not inhibit him from connecting with students.
"He was the kind of conductor you feared and loved at the same time," Cutietta said.
Through his professionalism and career successes, Comissiona created a relationship with students based on their admiration of his achievements and honor of working with him.
"He was such a legend. I think they were just in awe that they were able to study with him," Cutietta said.
Comissiona's experience first began with his initial work in Romania, where he was born. His love for studying the violin led him to the Romanian State Ensemble where he began conducting at the age of 17.
The Romanian State Opera hired him as a principal conductor while he was still in his 20s.
Comissiona worked with many prestigious music ensembles over the course of his career including the New York, Berlin and London philharmonic orchestras.
He performed at the world's most prestigious festivals and worked as a music director and guest conductor for the New York City Opera.
Larry J. Livingston, professor of conducting and the former dean of the Thornton Music School from 1986 to 2002, brought Comissiona to USC in 1997.
"I convinced him to come and see if he could find meaning and fulfillment in our academic setting, thus beginning a nearly decade-long relationship," Livingston said.
As the principal guest conductor of the Thornton Symphony, Comissiona treated his students as if they were colleagues, said Danielle Ondarza, orchestra manager.
"He would be the first to say that he was not an educator," Ondarza said, "He was a professional conductor with professional experience, and he brought that to the school."
Robert A. Cutietta, dean of Thornton School of Music, said his professional demeanor did not inhibit him from connecting with students.
"He was the kind of conductor you feared and loved at the same time," Cutietta said.
Through his professionalism and career successes, Comissiona created a relationship with students based on their admiration of his achievements and honor of working with him.
"He was such a legend. I think they were just in awe that they were able to study with him," Cutietta said.
Comissiona's experience first began with his initial work in Romania, where he was born. His love for studying the violin led him to the Romanian State Ensemble where he began conducting at the age of 17.
The Romanian State Opera hired him as a principal conductor while he was still in his 20s.
Comissiona worked with many prestigious music ensembles over the course of his career including the New York, Berlin and London philharmonic orchestras.
He performed at the world's most prestigious festivals and worked as a music director and guest conductor for the New York City Opera.