Assembly Resolution No. 203

BY: M. of A. Lupardo

CELEBRATING the life of Peyton M. Hibbitt,
renowned conductor and co-Founder of Tri-Cities
Opera

WHEREAS, It is with profound sorrow that this Legislative Body,
representing the people of the State of New York, is moved this day to
pay tribute to an eminent man of indomitable dedication whose countless
accomplishments will forever stand as a paradigm and inspiration for
others; and

WHEREAS, Peyton M. Hibbitt of Binghamton, New York, died on Friday,
March 1, 2019, at the age of 93; and

WHEREAS, Born on August 27, 1925, in Los Angeles, Peyton M. Hibbitt
and his family later relocated to Michigan, where he graduated from
Kalamazoo High School; and

WHEREAS, After valiantly serving his country as a Naval Sonar
Technician during World War II, Peyton M. Hibbitt attended the
Philadelphia Conservatory and the Philadelphia Music Academy; while a
student, he served as Assistant conductor of the Philadelphia Oratorio
Society; and

WHEREAS, Peyton M. Hibbitt and Carmen Savoca performed a musical
miracle in 1949, when they founded Tri-Cities Opera; the company, which
began with modest productions sung by regional talent, evolved into one
of the preeminent opera training companies in the United States; and

WHEREAS, A true titan in the local music community, Peyton M.
Hibbitt served as Music Director, Principal Conductor and Vocal Coach of
the Resident Artist Training Program during the company's first 50
seasons; in this capacity, he trained numerous opera singers, some of
whom went on to national and international stages; and

WHEREAS, For 20 years, Peyton M. Hibbitt also served as Adjunct
Professor and co-Director of the Master of Music with a specialization
in opera program at Binghamton University, in conjunction with
Tri-Cities Opera; he subsequently received the University Medal, one of
the highest honors the university can bestow; and

WHEREAS, As a guest conductor, Peyton M. Hibbitt made his European
debut at the Teatro Regio in Parma, Italy, conducting the Arturo
Toscanini Symphony Orchestra; he also led performances at the Bilbao
Opera Festival in Spain; and

WHEREAS, In the United States, Peyton M. Hibbitt held the post of
Music Director of the Elmira Symphony from 1960 to 1966; his American
guest conducting credits include the Chautauqua Opera Association,
Arizona Opera, Wichita Opera, Fort Worth Opera, Syracuse Opera, Opera
Theatre of Greater Lansing, Cincinnati Opera, Rochester Opera and a
critically acclaimed New York City debut with the Chamber Opera Theatre
of New York; and

WHEREAS, Peyton M. Hibbitt was the founder of the New York State
Opera League, was appointed by Governor Nelson Rockefeller to the
advisory panel of the New York State Arts Council, and served in the
U.S. Delegation to the International Conference on the Education of the
Young Singer in Sofia, Bulgaria; and

WHEREAS, In recognition of his significant impact on and
contributions to the arts in Broome County, Peyton M. Hibbitt was the
proud recipient of Broome County Arts Council's prestigious 2008 Heart
of the Arts Lifetime Achievement Award; and

WHEREAS, Predeceased by his parents, Ralph and Mildred (Plumb)
Hibbitt, and his siblings, Ralph and Annie, Peyton M. Hibbitt is
survived by his former student and lifelong friend, Paul Arnold; his
dear friend, Shelley Washington; and his many devoted students; and

WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Peyton M. Hibbitt leaves behind a legacy which will long
endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all
he served and befriended; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
celebrate the life of Peyton M. Hibbitt, renowned conductor and
co-Founder of Tri-Cities Opera; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Peyton M. Hibbitt.