Pietro Capodiferro

Pietro Capodiferro (October 13, 1882 – May 10, 1953) was an American trumpeter, cornetist and recording artist. He was the principal trumpet with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra from 1912 to 1919.

Early life Pietro Capodiferro was born in Acquaviva, Bari, Italy on October 13, 1882, the son of Vito Antonio Capodiferro (1854–1925) and Nunziata Maria Giandomenico (1858-19?). Pietro and his father emigrated to the United States in 1898 while his mother and siblings emigrated in 1899. They settled in Manhattan, New York.

Performance career Pietro Capodiferro began his musical career as trumpeter with the Twenty-Second Regiment Band. eventually leaving due to an illness. After his tenure there, he became director of the orchestra of Oscar Hammerstein's Manhattan Opera Company.

In 1914, he was listed as a member of Nahan Franko's band. There is no specified cornet solo listed on the program, but he was known to have already recorded Rossini's "Inflammatus" from Stabat Mater, a piece frequently performed by the Goldman Band. He also performed with the Goldman Band cornet trio, performing Victor Herbert's "The Three Solitaires" along with fellow cornetists David Rosebrook and Frank Elsass.