Tony Acquaviva

Who was Tony Acquaviva?

Anthony "Tony" Acquaviva April 11, 1925 - September 27, 1986, also known professionally as Acquaviva, was an American composer, conductor and string instrumentalist, a student of Serge Koussevitzky and the founder of the New York "Pops" Symphony Orchestra, a 135-member ensemble that selected and performed melodic new works by young composers.

Acquaviva was a graduate of the United States Military Academy and served in the Army's orchestral division from 1944 to 1948. As a struggling young musician in New York, he roomed with singer Guy Mitchell, sleeping on the floor for lack of furniture and once admitted to the press that the refrigerator there contained only one jar of mustard.

He married Joni James in 1956 at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City and served as her manager and conductor.

He recorded for MGM Records (notably the LP album "Music of Acquaviva", MGM E3226), and his works include "The Cavalier's Ball" and "My Love, My Love", the latter of which was recorded by his wife and reached Gold Record status at its release.