Los Angeles Opera Concertmaster Roberto Cani has Died, Aged 57

Cani has passed away in his Los Angeles home following a long battle with cancer

Roberto Cani had led the Los Angeles Opera Orchestra as concertmaster since 2011, working closely with Plácido Domingo and James Conlon. He was also the first violinist of the New Hollywood String Quartet. 

Throughout his career, Cani served as guest concertmaster for Milan’s La Scala Philharmonic under conductor Riccardo Muti and as guest concertmaster for the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

Cani began his music studies at age seven, later winning the Paganini, the Courcillon, and the Jeunesses Musicales International Competitions, plus was a laureate of the Tchaikovsky Competition. 

He was a graduate of the Milan Conservatory, the Gnessin Institute in Moscow, and the University of Southern California. His violin teachers included Viktor Tretiakov and Abrahm Shtern.

As a soloist, Cani appeared with the Moscow Philharmonic, RAI Symphony, Belgrade Philharmonic, Zagreb Soloists, Orchestra Haydn of Bolzano, American Youth Symphony, Oregon Symphony, Missouri Chamber Orchestra, and Symphony of the Americas. His playing was also featured on national TV and radio. 

Additionally, he often collaborated with Justus Frantz, Lynn Harrell, Jeffrey Swann, and Jason Vieaux, plus taught masterclasses at the University of Southern California and the University of California, Los Angeles. 

His discography includes Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, sonatas by Respighi and Busoni with Swann, and the solo sonatas of Bartók, Ysaÿe, Bloch, and Prokofiev under the Arkadia and Agora labels. Cani played on a 1735 Guarneri del Gesù violin.

“We are heartbroken to share that Roberto Cani has sadly passed away,” the Los Angeles Opera posted on Facebook. “His tenure as LA Opera's Stuart Canin Concertmaster began in 2011. Renowned on stages around the world, Roberto was a singular talent, invaluable leader, and incredible colleague. His constant collaboration with Music Director James Conlon played a crucial role in fostering the success and distinct sound of the LAO Orchestra. Roberto's warmth, knowledge, and artistry will be dearly missed. We extend our most sincere condolences to his loved ones at this incredibly difficult time.”

Mr. Cani is survived by his wife and daughter; a GoFundMe page has also been launched to help his family with his medical and funeral expenses. 

Our condolences to his family, friends, students, and colleagues.