Randy in Cincinnati : Does anybody know if the Papermill Playhouse, in Northeastern NJ, is still up and running? Do they put on similar small operatas? I caught a nice production there in 1991 with my (then) fiance. It had a very nice atmosphere, very professional (thesbian) performance, although I forget what it was now, lol. Gettin' old... :p

Nell : Thank you so much for the Amato Opera coverage -- really great.

Jeremy : Great job with this story, Ray! I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Lisa : Salute, Tony!!!!!

Dan Schneider : Thanks to you and Ray Suarez for this wonderful segment. A few years ago I attended a performance at Amato Opera during one of my visits to NYC and it is still a warm, happy memory. We don't get many feel-good stories about people and their work who aren't big-wigs, so all the more appreciation for Ray's story and for your giving the time for it. Kudos also to ray for the quality of the piece. His affection came through. Truly uplifting, but bittersweet for the end of the Amato company.

gwen : We are very glad to have heard the story of I am very glad to know about this lifelong dream come true for Tony Amato and his wife. His efforts to help artists is most deserving of praise and recognition. Thank you.

Art Beat Editor : The Papermill Playhouse is indeed still up and running: http://www.papermill.org/papermill.html

Ann Gary : This was an absolutely delightful story! Brought back memories of a visit to Il Teatro Piu Piccolo nel Mondo in Umbria, Italy. What a fortunate man Tony Amato has been - and how fortunate we were to share his story. Thank you.

Lesley from Princeton, NJ : To Randy in Cincinnati and other Opera Lovers: The Paper Mill is a wonderful playhouse and probably does some operettas. Currently, the leading NJ state-wide opera company is Opera New Jersey based in Princeton. This summer's season is The Mikado, Lucia di Lammermoor and The Abduction from the Seraglio. Check out Opera New Jersey's website www.Opera-NJ.org for more details.

Tricia Swift : I loved this story from Ray Suarez, and particularly the personal side of it, that Ray saw his firwt opera here. The story brought me to tears, in fact -- and to submit a comment for the first time. Mr. Amato is so filled with joy at what he does, which is a gift to all involved -- performers and audience alike. I am a 66 year old volunteer/professional-level performer singer with the San Francisco Symphony Chorus, and appreciate so much this reciprocal relationship between performer and audience, which I think is particularly pure when the performance is provided primarily as a gift. Bravo Maestro Amato! And carry on with your passion. We will look for "your" singers in the future! And thank you, Ray, for this lovely and moving story.

june randolph : I love this little man. He is a jewel among music and art lovers. Hope he lives forever and inspires others to be like he is.

will sullivan : I saw this story and wondered how many other small venues for all types of art have closed in recent years. It seems I keep hearing too many. Maybe you can do a storyon the News Hour on that at some future time, or hve I somehow missed one youalready have done?

Art Beat Editor : Will, The NewsHour has reported on a handful of locales and arts institutions, especially as they are dealing with the economic downturn. Here are several: New 'New Deal' May Help Boost the Arts (California); Dayton Arts Community Faces Struggle to Stay Afloat; St. Louis Arts Help Anchor Neighborhoods; Can Hollywood Help Rescue Michigan?; Last Run: Historic Baltimore Theater Closes. On a more broad level: Conversation: Robert Lynch, President, Americans for the Arts; Kennedy Center Offers Non-profits a Helping Hand; NEA Gets New Acting Chairman; Arts Funding Feels Squeeze of Economic Downturn. The downturn is even hitting arts coverage in your newspapers: Around the Country, Newspapers Cut Arts Critics. If you know of closings in your area, please send us an email at artbeat@newshour.org.

Jerry Schechter : I saw my first production of Mozart's "The Magic Flute" at The Amato Opera House, at its old (pre-Bowery)location on Bleeker Street (I think)in Greenwich Village. The thing I recall most vividly was the enthusiasm of the audience. Jes' folks. The neighborhood. The joyous spirit of conviviality. And Amato himself was the incarnation of it all. Ray Suarez's piece was a beautiful tribute. The Amatos deserve even more

BassBig : It should be noted that there is a group of Amato singers who are trying to start a new company. that name of the new company is Amore opera. they hope to be up and running in the fall of 2009. There goal are the same As Mr Amatos

Rancy : What a beautiful report on a beautiful story. I regret not knowing about the Amato Opera House earlier. It would have been on my To-Do Big Apple list. Thanks, Ray Suarez

Daniel Jang : I really like the singer wears the red dress. She is very gorgeous soprano, and has amazing voice.

Matty : I am now seventy six years old. When in my teens and early twenties, I spent several days a week learning the art of opera and making many friends in the process. This was at the old theater on Bleeker Street. Those were some of the happiest days of my life. Thank you Tony. I say this with much love and respect.

Paul Lee : The Soprano in red dress such an angelic voice. Glad that the Opera company is closing with such a beautiful cast with a lovely talent.

Ian : In the 50s, the Amato Opera was housed in a former movie house on Bleeker St in Greenwich Village. As a child, I lived about half a block away from the theater and was friends with Tony's nephew. As a result of this friendship, we both appeared in performances as extras in crowd scenes, as delivery boys, etc. When not on stage the prop room was our playground, where we let our imaginations run wild and the swords, pikes, shields and other items were the tools with which we created the great adventures that only young boys can imagine. Goodbye Amato Opera. Thank you for the memories.