Princeton Friends of Opera’s fifth annual garden party, “Autumn in Tuscany,” is hosted by Sam Greco of West Windsor on Saturday, September 6, from 4 to 7 p.m. A program of favorite arias will be presented by soprano Hope Osborn and Bob McMahan on accordion. The rain date is Sunday, September 7.
PFO supports Princeton Festival, Westminster Choir College, Trenton Children’s Chorus, Boheme Opera, and Opera Modo. Scholarships are provided for young singers, opera training, new opera development, and area opera performances. Trustees of the organization include Pamela Bristol, Carol King, Anne McMahan, and Jean Brown, emerita. McMahan is also the president and King is the treasurer. Steering committee members include Vicki Lipinski, one of Greco’s daughters.
Greco, born in Italy, was raised in New York City by his parents. His father served in the American Army during World War I and became an American citizen. “When you have poverty you strive to achieve,” he says. “I went from illiterate parents to a college degree.”
Greco worked his way through college. “The tuition was $800 a year and the GI bill only paid for the first two years,” he says. He graduated from MIT with a degree in chemical engineering in 1951. Greco worked for Exxon Mobil until 1995 and has 14 patents to his name.
“I was raised with wonderful music,” he says. He listened to the Metropolitan Opera live broadcasts. “We were the dance generation.” Greco still enjoys the peabody and jitterbug.
Greco and his late wife, Jeanette Rankel, moved to West Windsor in 1971 and were one of the first families to move into the Princeton Ivy development (behind High School South). They shared a love of art and music. She was a pianist and her parents were opera singers. He enjoys living in the home decorated with murals she created through the years.
Their four children, three daughters and one son, were raised in West Windsor. His son John graduated from Princeton High School and his daughters, Suzanne Dicker, a cellist with Sinfonietta Nova; Vicki Lipinsky, and Laura Milo, all graduated from West Windsor-Plainsboro High School. They and their children continue the musical legacy with music from flute, violin, and cello. His grandchildren also play instruments, Paul Milo on the clarinet and Daniel Milo on flute.
Greco is a patron of the arts and has donated to organizations including Opera New Jersey, Westminster CoOPERAtive program, and Bravura Philharmonic Orchestra. Greco has set up several scholarships and endowment funds for young people to continue to pursue careers in classical music.
“I’m at a point in my life to encourage all young children to learn about classical music and opera,” he says.
Annual Garden Party, Princeton Friends of Opera, 18 Hathaway Drive, West Windsor. Saturday, September 6, 4 p.m. “Autumn in Tuscany,” a benefit for opera and arts-related programs, scholarships for young singers, as well as opera training, development, and performances. Catered by Santino’s Ristorante. Register. $75. Raindate is Sunday, September 7. 609-799-2633. www.princetonfriendsofopera.org.
