Tom Di Nardo, Philadelphia Classical Music and Jazz Critic, Dies at 89
Tom Di Nardo, a renowned music critic who contributed to Philadelphia publications for 43 years, passed away on Saturday, Sept. 19, in Italy due to a brain hemorrhage at the age of 89. Born Thomas Eugene Di Nardo on Aug. 7, 1937, in South Philadelphia, he obtained an electrical engineering degree from Tufts University and was employed at Peco from 1960 until 1996. In 1974, he began his career as a freelance classical music critic, writing for outlets such as the Bulletin, Daily News, and The Inquirer until 2017. His extensive work includes over 1,000 articles and interviews with notable artists like Luciano Pavarotti and Yo-Yo Ma. He is survived by his children, Marc and Lisa, partner Margie Jones, and a grandson. A memorial celebration is forthcoming, and contributions can be made to the Film Music Society and Philadelphia Sinfonia.
Key facts
- Tom Di Nardo died on Saturday, Sept. 19, in Italy from a brain hemorrhage at age 89.
- He wrote about classical music, opera, and jazz for over 43 years, including at the Bulletin, Daily News, and The Inquirer.
- He worked as an electrical engineer at Peco for 36 years, from 1960 to 1996.
- He authored books such as Performers Tell Their Stories: 40 Years Inside the Arts and Listening to Musicians: 40 Years of the Philadelphia Orchestra.
- He interviewed Luciano Pavarotti, Yo-Yo Ma, and David DiChiera, and was friends with Riccardo Muti and JoAnn Falletta.
- He championed local artists, especially composer Romeo Cascarino, and executive produced Cascarino's 1982 opera William Penn.
- He was born Thomas Eugene Di Nardo on Aug. 7, 1937, in South Philadelphia and raised in Germantown.
- A memorial celebration is to be held later; donations can be made to the Film Music Society and Philadelphia Sinfonia.
Entities
Artists
- Tom Di Nardo
- Thomas Eugene Di Nardo
- Riccardo Muti
- JoAnn Falletta
- Luciano Pavarotti
- Yo-Yo Ma
- David DiChiera
- Romeo Cascarino
- Emil Richards
- Kile Smith
- Gary White
- David Lee Preston
- Marc Di Nardo
- Lisa Di Nardo Parker
- Diane Allen
- Margie Jones
- Yvonne B. Haskins
- RJ Mitte
- Marty Weinberg
- Michelle Denker Pearlman
- Curtis Flowers
- Margaret Hamilton
- Bruce Mabine
- Louis F. Rose
- David S. Greenwald
- Terence J. O’Reilly Sr.
- Dennis Hastert
- Meldoria Miles
- John Baer
- Ruth Weisberg
- Jeff Scott
- Lenora D. Wolfgang
- Bill Giles
- Kitty Lunn
- Ned Warwick
- Tyrese Maxey
- Sheila Miller
- Aaron Michael McComsey
- Brian Fitzpatrick
- Frank Rizzo
- Ed Rendell
Institutions
- The Philadelphia Inquirer
- Philadelphia Daily News
- Peco
- Germantown Friends School
- Tufts University
- Bulletin
- Philadelphia Orchestra
- Film Music Society
- Philadelphia Sinfonia
- Temple University
- Temple University School of Dentistry
- Medical College of Pennsylvania
- Drexel University
- Lehigh University
- American Philosophical Society
- National Library in Paris
- Peace Day Philly
- Pen and Pencil Club
- Beth Chaim Reform Congregation
- Luster Products
- WCAU
- Xfinity
- Philadelphia 76ers
- Philadelphia Flyers
- Detroit Red Wings
- Los Angeles Kings
- National Hockey League
- Penn Wood High School
- William Penn School District
- Bend Police Department
- Associated Press
- U.S. Congress
- Veterans Stadium
- Opera Company of Philadelphia
Locations
- South Philadelphia
- Germantown
- Philadelphia
- Pennsylvania
- Massachusetts
- Italy
- Mississippi
- Paris
- France
- Bend
- Oregon
- Perkasie
- Los Angeles
- California