Video: “Adagio for Strings” by Samuel Barber, arranged by Joseph Soprani

Photo of Benny Cintioli in his store.

Accordionist Joe Soprani has created a musical tribute “In Loving Memory of Benito N. “Benny” Cintioli”. The selection is “Adagio for Strings” by Samuel Barber, special arrangement by Joe Soprani. Benny was an accordion enthusiast. Benny was the successful proprietor of Cintioli Music Store which he opened in Philadelphia in 1959.  Benny is well known and loved among many musicians in the Philadelphia and surrounding areas due to his  personality, good nature, business acumen, and generosity. 

At 87 years young, Joe Soprani is going strong, always busy practicing, performing, and planning his next musical adventure. Over the years, I have attended many of his live performances as soloist and with orchestra, the most recent being his performance with the 65 piece Philly Pops Orchestra in Disney’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” on October 24-25, 2019. Joe said, “ The score to “The Nightmare Before Christmas has a very powerful score and an interesting accordion part.”

In addition to performing in Broadway shows such as “Fiddler on the Roof”, “Zorba”, “Cabaret” and “Irma la Douce”, Joe has performed in world premieres of “Frida,” a musical that called for a virtuoso accordionist and “Another Kind of Hero,” a musical which featured him on stage for an entire scene. Joe, who appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show and won the Arthur Godfrey Show, appeared with TV Star Nell Carter in a “Colors of Freedom” production at the Convention Center in Philadelphia in 1995. He also appeared with Peter Nero and the Philly Pops playing a special arrangement by Nero with Soprano Evelyn de LaRosa.

In November of 1997, Soprani became the first accordionist to perform in “La Traviata” by Verdi presented by the Opera Company of Philadelphia, at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia. Klaus Arp, the opera conductor from Germany, decided to use the accordion in the small ensemble on stage during “La Banda” sections. Joe has also performed with Russell Watson on Good Morning America, and continues to promote the accordion as a serious instrument at various clubs and organizations. His workshops at schools and colleges, where he demonstrates his skills as performer and arranger to young composers and arrangers, have been well received.

Presently he is arranging, for accordion, a book of cocktail piano selections, a Hal Leonard Publication, arranged by Brent Edstrom. It will include selections such as “Blue Moon”, “Fly Me to the Moon” etc.

Joe has also performed with Russell Watson on Good Morning America, and continues to promote the accordion as a serious instrument at various clubs and organizations. His workshops at schools and colleges, where he demonstrates his skills as performer and arranger to young composers and arrangers, have been well received.

For further information: jsop119@verizon.net