Robert Alfonso DeSimone

Dr. Robert DeSimone was born on Oct. 6, 1937 in Redondo Beach, CA to Florence and John DeSimone. At an early age, he discovered a love and passion for music which remained with him throughout his life. Robert graduated from Redondo Beach High School prior to attending the University of Southern California where he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music. Already an accomplished pianist, Robert continued his studies abroad in Switzerland, Italy and England at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He later earned his Doctorate in Stage Direction from the University of Washington. Wanting to give back and share his love for music and opera, Robert (or “Dr. D” as his students affectionately called him) went into higher education. In 1983 he began his tenure at The University of Texas at Austin where he was able to mentor and develop the talents of his beloved students for over 35 years. He helmed the opera program at UT and was instrumental in the creation of the Butler Opera Center, where he was also director until his retirement in 2019. He was the recipient of the Sarah and Ernest Butler Professorship in Opera and was Professor Emeritus, Butler School of Music, University of Texas at Austin.

Robert directed over 100 operas, including world premieres, in renowned theatres throughout the world such as the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Lincoln Center and with Seattle Opera, where he was their first Resident Stage Director. Throughout his career, Robert was recognized with numerous accolades and awards, including awards from the Adolph’s Foundation, National Thespian Society, Italian Government, National Association of Piano Teachers, Austin Circle of Theatres, National Association of Teachers of Singing.

Robert was a devoted and beloved father, grandfather, uncle and friend. He loved good food, good humor, working in his garden, and enjoyed his world travels that brought him friends that became family and places he called home.

He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his daughter, Adriana Cuthbert, her husband Jim and their children Vincent and Gianna; son Marco DeSimone, his wife Melissa and their daughter Charlotte; the mother of his children, Angela Bonica DeSimone; brother, Louis DeSimone; niece, Louise Szanto (Terry); nephew, John DeSimone (Cecille); nephew, Joseph DeSimone (Jaci); and dear friends of which there are too many to list.

A celebration of Robert’s life will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his name to the Butler Opera Center at The University of Texas at Austin: https://music.utexas.edu/giving.