Death of a partner-pianist, 76

We have been notified of the death of Jo Anne Ritacca, a collaborative pianist and vocal coach who was married for 46 years to the outstanding violin teacher Kenneth Goldsmith.

Goldsmith, who died in June 2020, was professor of violin at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music.

Here’s an official notice:
With profound sadness, we announce the death of Jo Anne Ritacca on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, at her home in Houston, Texas. Jo Anne was born in Long Beach, California on November 13, 1946. From a young age, she excelled at the piano, receiving at age 12 as a gift from her father (with money he won gambling) a beautiful Baldwin grand piano – an instrument she owned her entire life. She studied piano with Gwendolyn Koldofsky, was a very accomplished organist, and performed with singers and chamber musicians throughout the United States and Europe. With a Master of Music degree from the University of Southern California, she taught and coached young singers at Pomona College, California State University at Fullerton, Grinnell College, University of Houston, Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music and accompanied voice lessons for William Vennard, the great 20th-century vocal pedagogue. Her influence on these young singers was profound—there is a music school in Brazil named in her honor.

Jo Anne also served as Assistant Conductor and Vocal Coach of the Dallas Opera and assisted in musical preparations of productions at the Houston Grand Opera, The Boston Opera, and the Florentine Opera of Milwaukee. In 1974, she married violinist Kenneth Goldsmith. Together they formed a dynamic musical partnership and explored the duo repertoire on both modern and historic 19th-century period pianos. She resided in Houston from 1987 until her death. All those who knew her in Houston and beyond will remember her as a radiant, loving, caring, generous, witty, beautiful soul who always had fascinating and touching stories to share and would put a smile on everyone’s face. She is survived by her younger brother John Ritacca of White Salmon, Oregon and her stepson Antonio Goldsmith. A memorial service for her and her late husband, Kenneth Goldsmith, is scheduled for January 2024. Details are forthcoming.