Closure Amato Opera closed after its last performance of The Marriage of Figaro on May 31, 2009. Anthony Amato announced the planned closure on January 10, 2009, before a performance of The Merry Widow. He told The New York Times, "Now, with Sally gone, I have decided that it is time for me to start a new chapter in my life". Following the closure of the Amato Opera, some of the former performers and members of the Amato board of directors formed Amore Opera. Tony Amato gave all the sets and costumes of Amato Opera to this new company. Amore Opera has continued to present opera seasons since then. Another successor company, Bleecker Street Opera, performed from 2010 through 2011. In January 2013, another former Amato performer formed Opera Theatre of Montclair in New Jersey. Opera Theatre of Montclair continues to produce mainstage opera and opera outreach throughout Northern New Jersey. In 2010, Amato published a book about the company called The Smallest Grand Opera in the World. Amato died on December 13, 2011. References External links NPR feature on Amato's closing New York Times audio slide show about Amato Amato's home sold for $3.7 million "Curtain Call for the Amato Opera", May 18, 2009, PBS NewsHour Playbill article on the company's closing Photo essay: Amato Opera, the smallest opera theatre in the world Gallery of Amato photos, 1948 to 2001 New York City opera companies Musical groups established in 1948 Arts organizations established in 1948 2009 disestablishments in New York (state)