Albino Gorno
1859-1944

Albino Gorno was born in 1859 at Casalmorano, a small town near Cremona, Italy. He studied piano, organ, and harmony with his father, Davide Gorno, beginning at the age of five. Albino was graduated from the Milan Conservatory with three diplomas and three gold medals, one each for proficiency in piano, organ performance, and composition. In 1881, Gorno won the prize medal in composition at the Milan Musical Exposition, and the Queen of Italy publicly recognized his talents by personally presenting the prize. Later that year he was engaged by the famous diva, Adelina Patti, as pianist and accompanist for a five-month United States tour. When, in the spring of 1882, Madame Patti received a communication from the College of Music of Cincinnati President George Ward Nichols, requesting her to name the person she considered best qualified for the position of Professor of Singing, she recommended Albino Gorno.

Signor Gorno was hired in 1882 as a faculty member of the College of Music, active both as a vocal instructor and as a pianist. He often included his own compositions on recital programs. In addition to the Nocturne for piano held by the Gorno Memorial Music Library, his works include a cantata to the memory of General Garibaldi, an Ave Maria for four voices with piano and organ accompaniment, a cantata, La Festa dei Montanari, an operetta, Cerose e Patria, Marinaresca for piano and orchestra, and many songs, romances, fugues, and nocturnes. He was eminently successful as a teacher of piano, as a pianist, and as a conductor. For a time he also taught organ and composition, and had charge of the ensemble classes and the opera department. During later years he devoted much time to editing.

Albino Gorno was a faculty member for 62 years, 40 of which were spent as Dean. He was the first soloist ever to appear with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. He also had the distinction of being the first to play Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto in B-flat in the United States. In 1888, he married a former pupil, Rose O'Neil, of Cincinnati. Albino's brothers, Romeo and Giacinto Gorno, were also employed by the College of Music -- Romeo as a piano instructor (from 1894 to 1932) and Giacinto as a vocal instructor (beginning in 1910). Giacinto's daughter, Adelene "Mimi" Gorno, also taught Italian at the College. On May 31, 1949, the Alumnal Association presented the College of Music with a book collection and plaque dedicating the Albino Gorno Memorial Music Library.