Gimi Beni was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania , the only child of an Italian tailor.  He claimed his father once told him "Singing should be a hobby. Singers starve to death."  Fortunately for us, he decided not to take this bit of fatherly advice and went on to delight audiences throughout and abroad with his warm, rich, bass-baritone voice and intoxicating acting skills.  Almost every review found in a collection of  memorabilia - meticulously archived by his companion and professional associate for 27 years, William Holo - contains some version of the words - "the star and audience pleaser of this performance was Gimi Beni."  Consider these review headlines - "Gimi Beni Soars," "Gimi Beni Shines," "Beni Outstanding," "Versatile Performer Gimi Beni 'Complete Man of the Theater'."  Comic flair is a two word combination that belonged to Gimi Beni and, as would be expected, he reveled in the buffo roles of Rossini, Donizetti, Mozart, Offenbach, Gilbert and Sullivan - and the crowning buffo role of all, Verdi's "Falstaff."  But singer and performer were only two facets of this beloved artist.  There was  Gimi Beni the writer and composer - "Bricktop in Paris ," "Happy Birthday Rossini" -   Gimi Beni the translator - New York City Opera's "La Cenerentola," among others - and Gimi Beni,  the Stage Director, Voice Teacher, Vocal Coach and Painter. Whether recording Puccini's "La Boheme" with Leonard Bernstein, appearing at the White House with the Metropolitan Opera, walking away with the reviews in major opera houses all over the globe, lovingly guiding his students to a higher level of vocal art, or entertaining senior citizens in a nursing home, Gimi Beni did it all with zest, extraordinary warmth, unlimited talent and consummate artistry. 

Bravo, Bravo, Gimi!