Cesare Sodero

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Cesare Sodero (August 2, 1886-December 16, 1947) was an Italian conductor who spent much of his career working in the United States.

Born in Naples, Sodero studied with Giuseppe Martucci, and graduated from the Naples Conservatory at fourteen. He toured Europe for a short time as a cellist before coming to the United States in 1906; for seven years he directed various American opera companies, including that in Chicago. In 1913 he became general music director of the Edison Phonograph Company, remaining in that position until 1925, when he turned to radio. He achieved significance as a pioneer in the broadcast of opera, directing a series of fifty-three works in tabloid form for NBC in 1926. From then until 1934 he also conducted several hundred symphonic concerts for the network; he then became music director for the Mutual network. From 1934 to 1947 he served as the conductor of the Mendelssohn Glee Club of New York. Sodero became a principal conductor of the Metropolitan Opera in 1942, making his debut there with Aida on November 28. He remained with the company until his death.

Sodero also composed music, and wrote one opera during his career. Titled Ombre Russe, it was given its premiere by NBC in 1929; the stage premiere took place in Venice in 1930.

Sodero died in New York City in 1947.