Damiani Dies; Founder of Burbank Symphony

Leo Damiani, a conductor and founder of the Burbank Symphony Orchestra, died Tuesday of heart failure at his Burbank home. He was 74.

Damiani was hospitalized recently for diabetes and kidney failure, family members said.

He organized the Burbank Symphony Orchestra in 1944 and served as its conductor and director for 15 years. Damiani also pressured city officials to build the Starlight Amphitheatre in the northwestern hills of Burbank as a facility for the orchestra. The outdoor theater was completed in 1950.

Damiani had been guest conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Seoul Philharmonic in Korea.

Services will be held 9 a.m. Friday at the Church of the Hills, Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills. Damiani is survived by his wife, a daughter, two granddaughters, four brothers and two sisters.