By: Timothy J. Smith, Director, DC Office of Veterans Affairs
Anyone who has ever served in the Armed Forces knows of the talents in his or her service’s bands. Those singers and musicians are truly a talented bunch. But, sometimes there are members who shine even among those stars. The Army’s Sergeant First Class Antonio Giuliano is one of them.
Sgt. 1st Class Giuliano, senior vocalist for the Army Chorus, is an opera singer. And this smooth tenor is in constant demand. “My schedule is extremely busy for the Army and for my private concerts, recitals, opera engagements,” said Sgt. 1st Class Giuliano.
“The US Army Chorus’ schedule is very busy and demanding. I just completed six wonderful performances of the role of Manrico in Verdi’s il Trovatore in Camp Hill, Hanover, and York, Pa. I am currently preparing for the role of Rodolfo from Puccini’s La Bohème for performances in Pennsylvania in November 2008.”
He has been both a member of the Army and a member of the chorus since 1988. Recently, he performed before a crowd at DC United’s soccer match against internationally known soccer star David Beckham and the Los Angeles Galaxy. And he had big shoes to fill, indeed. Another internationally known star, Plácido Domingo, was originally asked to perform the National Anthem. But he wasn’t able to make it. So who was next on the list? Sgt. 1st Class Giuliano!
“Well, that was a tall order my friend! To know that DC United desired to have the great Plácido Domingo sing our national anthem and God Bless America and find out that he was not available… and to have Mr. Skip Kruger of DC United call me and ask if I was available to represent our nation … I was thrilled, honored and very grateful.”
And yes, he’s met Domingo before, as well as many other well know opera singers. He is both a student and practitioner of opera. And he’s had many opportunities to shine. He’s sung before 90,000 fans at National Football League games, and has even sung at Major League Baseball games.
“(During) the Washington Nationals seventh inning stretch on the 4th of July 2006, I sang God Bless America while standing atop the Nationals Dugout. After I had finished, the Nationals Manager Frank Robinson yelled to me to get my attention. He threw me a game ball. Wow! What a thrill!”
It may not surprise many of you that he is a great singer. After all, he was born in Hollywood … well, Hollywood, Fla. He said he found his voice during his junior year in high school. “Something prompted me to audition for my high school choral group name ‘The Escambians.’ She (the director) heard and saw my talents and encouraged me. I had no idea of the extent of my talents.”
His talents eventually earned him a college scholarship that he didn’t immediately accept when offered. “Not until three or four weeks later did I accept the scholarship. Why? I had seen a TV commercial advertising a double album of Italian opera arias sung by none other than the great one, Luciano Pavarotti. I was blown away! Pavarotti inspired me.”
Even after 20 years of performing, he said he still feels “invigorated” and “humbled” every time he sings the Star-Spangled Banner. “Everything has surprised me in my entire life! I never thought that a kid like me … who dreamt of becoming a force recon US Marine …would ever be given the great opportunities that have come to me.”
Some of his great opportunities include: special soloist to former Secretary of Defense William Cohen; soloist of Amazing Grace (President Ronald Reagan’s favorite hymn) for President Reagan’s burial ceremony in Simi Valley, Calif.; frequently requested by name by the Italian Ambassador to the United States, the Honorable Giovanni Castellaneta, to sing the Italian National Anthem and the US National Anthem for Italian Armed Forces Day; requested numerous times by Mr. Gary Silversmith (owner, USS Sequoia) to entertain our wounded US warriors aboard the USS Sequoia Presidential Yacht on Wounded Warriors Cruises on the Potomac; and also chosen to perform for MLB Hall of Famer Tommy LaSorda’s 80th birthday bash.
And all of those events really are just some of his special engagements!
He said his dream opportunity would be to sing Rodolfo in Puccini’s La Bohème at the world famous Metropolitan Opera in the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York City.
He’s been singing professionally since 1992, and plans to continue to do so after retiring from the Army. As a member of the United States Army Chorus, he is one of two national anthem soloists. And although his main genre is opera, as a band member, he must sing all genres. “We must be very versatile not only with genre’s but also with languages. We sing in nearly 40 foreign languages.”
The Army Chorus is a part of the United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own.”