We are saddened to share the news that Claudia Tullia Pinza Bozzolla, Pitt’s long-time teacher of voice, has passed away.  She began teaching classical voice for the Music Department in 1979, following a distinguished career as a leading soprano in Europe and America.  The daughter of famed bass Ezio Pinza, Claudia was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, studied at the Conservatorio di Bologna in Italy, sang at major opera houses including La Scala in Milan and the Metropolitan Opera in New York, and worked in opera and recitals with notable musicians including Bruno Walter, Richard Tucker, Jan Peerce, and many others. 

In addition to teaching voice at Pitt until earlier this year, Claudia hosted a weekly radio program “Opera with Claudia” on WDUQ-FM radio, taught at Duquesne University and Carlow College, and directed the Ezio Pinza Council for American Singers of Opera dedicated to training young American singers in the Italian operatic tradition. 

She was a warm and gracious presence in the Music Department.  As Department Administrator Paula Riemer recalled, "Her quiet, humble demeanor did not sufficiently reflect her noble pedigree as a former Metropolitan Opera singer, a sought-after teacher of many famous names in the opera world, a close friend of Luciano Pavarotti, the mother of a special needs son, and an extremely kind person.”

Our deepest sympathies go out to her husband Rolando Bozzolla, son Samuele Bozzolla and daughter-in-law Nathalie Campanile, and son Simone Bozzolla.  We will forward funeral information when it becomes available.  Here is a link to her obituary in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 

Deane Root
Chair of the Department of Music