Collection: Ignatius Gennusa collection (MSS 46)

Scope and Contents

The collection contains memorabilia, photographs, a scrapbook documenting Gennua's war service, and his first clarinet played as a child.

Dates

1920-1988

Creator

Gennusa, Ignatius, 1920-2003 (Person)

Biographical / Historical

Ignatius Gennusa studied with Jules Serpentini, clarinetist at the Philadelphia Orchestra, prior to being accepted to the Curtis Institute of Music in 1940. Though he officially graduated in 1945, Gennusa left Curtis early to serve in the Armed Forces. Upon returning from the war he played with the Ballet Theatre Orchestra, the National and Chicago Symphonies, and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, where he stayed until his retirement in 1972. In addition, Gennusa was a member of the Peabody Conservatory faculty and the inventor of “The Excellente” clarinet mouthpiece.