Jesus Quinones Ledesma

Opera singer, producer and teacher; Jesus Quinones-Ledesma pursued his post secondary education in Europe studying under renowned Italian baritone Apollo Granforte for 6 years. His debut performance was Pietro Mascagni’s Opera ”Lodoletta” at the age of 20 in the Teatro Nuovo in Milan, Italy, which opened doors for him to perform as a Lyric Tenor in France, Spain, Turkey, and Switzerland.

Upon his return home from Europe, he married a wonderful woman, Zelma, who became his loving wife of 56 years, and pursued his singing career in United States, South America and the Caribbean. Through his production company “Ledesma Enterprises”, he produced radio and television programs in Puerto Rico such as “ Filigramas Musicales”. Cabalgata, Fin de Semana”, Joyero Poetico Musical”, “Lo de Hoy”, and “Festival de Popularidad”; what became a very popular and anticipated annual television event that recognized and showcase gifted performers in Puerto Rico. His love for music and Opera led Jesus Quinones-Ledesma to establish in 1973 the, “Agrupación Puertorriqueña de Teatro Lírico”, APTEL Inc, a non-profit organization with the mission to provide opportunities to Puerto Rican young artists and produce Opera performances and concerts around Puerto Rico Island with the sponsorship of the “Instituto de Cultura” and the “Camara Legislativa” of Puerto Rico. APTEL Inc. presented a number of major opera productions over the next few years, starting with Verdi’s “Il Trovatore” and including Mascagni’s” Cavalleria Rusticana” and “Pagliacci”, Donizetti’s “L’ Ellisire de Amore”, Puccini’s “Il Tavarro” and Verdi’s “Otello”. In 1979 Quinones-Ledesma, also artistically known as Ricardo Ledesma, established residence in New York City to pursue his passion for Opera and expand his Operatic Career. Over the next few years he performed in throughout the United States, including Carnegie Hall, and internationally in Italy, Spain, Switzerland and Venezuela. His title roles included Manrico in Il Trovatore, Canio in Pagliacci, Radames in Aida, Turridu in Cavalleria Rusticana ,Luigi in Il Tabarro, and the Moor of Venice, in Otello.

He retired from performing in 2005, but continued producing concert tours with local and international artists in Puerto Rico until 2011. Following the steps of his mentor Apollo Granforte; he became a mentor and “maestro” to aspiring Opera singers; his students spanning the glove and coming from as far as Russia and Germany. It is through his mentorship and writings Quinones-Ledesma passes on to future singers the old craft of vocal techniques known as Belcanto.

Beloved Husband and Father he is survived by his wife Zelma, his sons Ricardo (Marie) and Gian-Carlo (Glenda) and daughters Debbie (Carlos) and Jessie (Terry), 17 grandchildren and one great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his daughter Pier-Angeli.

Visitation will be at Hardage-Giddens, Chapel Hills Funeral Home, 850 St. Johns Bluff Rd. N, Jacksonville, FL on Friday, March 22, 2013 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. Funeral Mass will be celebrated by Father Ed Murphy on Saturday, March 23, 2013 at 10:30 AM at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church, 10472 Beach Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL followed by burial at Chapel Hills Memory Gardens, 850, St. Johns Bluff Rd.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hardage-giddenschapelhills.com