Franco Albian was born in Cefalà Diana, Sicily in 1930. Franco’s life was like the Italian Operas he has so loved – full of emotion - from gloom to ecstasy, from despair to delight. His life imitated his art, as he marched from the obscure fields of Sicily to success as a musician, teacher and prolific composer.
As a child, Franco had a hidden talent for music that needed to be drawn out. “In my family, we never had anyone who became a musician. My Dad didn’t understand music and simply wanted me to follow in the footsteps of many of my siblings and relatives, as another farmhand.”
In 1945, the days of War were over and the days of Rebuilding began. Franco was asked to join a band, but he had never touched an instrument before. After six months of rigorous study, learning the rudiments of music, it was time to pick an instrument. Times were still very tough though, and his family didn’t have the funds to purchase any instrument.
With the persistence of Franco’s mentors and the hard work of his father, he was finally able to purchase a B Flat fluegelhorn; old and dented, worth the equivalent of only a few dollars today, but it was worth the world to Franco! Only three short years later in 1948, Franco entered the Conservatory of Music of Vincenzo-Bellini in Palermo. His brilliance and natural gift shined as he accelerated his studies graduating with honors in 1953.
He played trumpet professionally with the Sicilian Symphony Orchestra at the Teatro Massimo Bellini Opera House in Sicily until 1957.
Following his time with the Sicilian Symphony Orchestra, Franco won the coveted first-chair trumpet position with the Radio Éireann Symphony Orchestra in Dublin, Ireland. This opportunity would not only provide Franco the next chapter in his music career, but would also introduce him to his future wife, Joan McNally. Franco and Joan married in 1960 in Dublin, and ultimately moved to the United States, where they raised their family in Chicago.
Throughout the remainder of his career, Franco continued his pursuit of music in many facets; he was a performer, teacher, composer, conductor, and a friend to all who loved music. He was always surrounded by music and composed well into his 80’s. Franco was especially grateful to the members of the Sicilian Band of Chicago, the Waukesha Area Symphonic Band, the American Wind Band of Downers Grove, and his thousands of music students.
Franco passed away peacefully on August 10, 2020 with his loving wife, Joan, and his children beside him.