Introduction
Antoinette Tisa was born Antoinette Rose Lavazio on April 30, 1913 to Charles and Anna Tissa Lavazio, one of three children. When her mother died in the influenza epidemic of 1918, her father could not take care of the children, and he placed Antoinette and brother Tony at Saint Michael’s Orphanage in Hopewell NJ. Older sister Anne was placed as a domestic servant, also in Hopewell. While at the orphanage, she began singing.
After moving to South Camden as a teenager, she met and married Dominick Tisa, who had a barbershop at 503 South 3rd Street, near Berkley Street known as Tisa’s London Barber Shop. By the 1940s the family had settled at 969 Monitor Road, in the Fairview section of Camden.
Antoinette Tisa pursued her operatic singing career in Philadelphia and South Jersey from the 1940s through the 1960s, starring in operas such as Aida, La Traviata, and Faust. She also was a featured soloist in various churches in Camden throughout her career.
Antoinette Tisa later moved to Cherry Hill NJ. She passed away in May of 1993.
Antoinette Tisa’s brother-in-law, John Tisa, had an interesting career which included taking part in the Spanish Civil War, working as a labor organizer, and as the owner of Tisa’s Pet Shop in Pennsauken NJ for many years.
Many thanks to Benedict Tisa for his assistance in creating this page.
Photos
Antoinette Tisa
Antoinette Tisa as Aida – 1959
Antoinette Tisa in Faust – 1948
Antoinette Tisa in Faust – 1948
‘Opera Showcase’ Set for 2 Nights By Local Singers
Camden Courier-Post —
Antoinette Tisa – Operatic singer, of 969 Monitor rd., Camden
Camden County Opera Theatre will present “Opera Showcase” Friday and Saturday at 8.30 p. m. in the auditorium of Camden High School, Park and Baird blvds.
“Opera Showcase” is a preview of coming attractions, featuring scenes from 10 popular operas, including “Il Trovatore,” “La Traviata,” “Pagliacci,” “Cavalleria Rusticana,” “Rigoletto,” “Faust,” “Aida,” “Joan of Arc” and “Hansel and Gretel.”
The production will be staged with complete scenery and costumes, according to Rocco Sirato, one of the directors. Sirato said the Camden County Opera Theatre is a civic, non-profit association, an entirely new group in this area. Its singers and members reside in the Camden-Philadelphia Metropolitan area.
Scheduled to sing leading female roles are Rita Kolacz, Antoinette Tisa, Jeanne George, Anna Del Borrello, Patricia Underwood, Ellen Weimer, Rosina Gore, Anna Marie Claude, Marie Romanno, Josephine Pino and Janet Kohler. The male leads are Dean Stewart, Victor Verdi, and Frank Santangelo, tenors; Domenick Santangelo and Carmen D’Oronzo, baritones, and William Kohler and Querino Leone, basses.
“Opera Showcase” is directed by Enzo Serafini-Lupo, well-known conductor and director in Philadelphia and New York opera circles. The program will be narrated by Thomas Remstall Jr., of Radio Station WCAM. Tickets may be obtained at the door both nights.