Tribute to Frank Guarrera

A Tribute to Frank Guarrera by artist Peter Pagast was located in the Point Breeze neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Frank Guarrera (1923-2007) was born in the South Philadelphia chosen for the location of the mural. Before entering the Curtis Institute of Music at the age of 17, Guarrera learned to sing from recordings he heard at the Victor Café in South Philadelphia—a local eatery famous for serenading guests with opera. Though his studies were interrupted by service in the Navy during WWII, he eventually went on to sing for 28 years in 685 performances portraying 35 leading roles with the Metropolitan Opera before retiring in 1976. In 2003, Guarrera was honored with both the Cavaliere di Bonta award for lifetime achievement in opera and this mural in his South Philly neighborhood. This mural depicts the legendary baritone in 5 of Guarrera’s signature roles, including Escamillo from Bizet’s Carmen and the title role in The Barber of Seville. The mural dedication featured opera performances as part of the celebration.

Location Note: Mural no longer on view at this location (painted out in 2011).