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Mark Anton Richter, age 51 passed away peacefully on April 28th, 2019. Mark was born April 25th, 1968 in San Antonio, Texas to Anton “Tony” and Yolanda Richter. Mark, born and raised on the Southside of San Antonio, had a love of music at an early age. From playing the Viola as a youth to transitioning to singing and music theater, Mark’s love for music was always in the forefront of his life. Early theater roles at the Josephine theater included “Into the Woods” and “The Gift of the Magi” but Opera was in his soul. Mark was a talented tenor and his love for the opera drove him to start the Pocket Opera in 1995. San Antonio was devoid of this wonderful medium after the Symphony dropped operatic programming in the 1980s. Mark wanted to bring the passion, the glory and the sound of opera back and started with a small, personal opera that would allow people to connect with the characters and the music. The Pocket Opera soon expanded as audiences grew and Mark was committed to bringing the classics to San Antonio. From the Pocket Opera to the Lyric Opera to the San Antonio Opera, Mark brought wonderful, well known operas such as Madame Butterfly, La Boheme, Carmen, Romeo and Juliet and Tosca. From Puccini to Verdi to Rossini, Mark wanted to showcase all the greats. The Lyric Opera soon became the San Antonio Opera and Mark’s small start at the McCallister Theater at San Antonio College was soon being showcased at the Lila Cockrell Theater in downtown San Antonio. During this time, Mark also helped launch and was a part of San Antonio’s Three Tenors with tenors George Cortez and Jacob Cantu. The three thrilled San Antonio audiences with their fantastic voices and their fun homage to the tenors that inspired them. Mark’s role in the Arts was not just limited to Opera and bringing in some spectacular talent such as Placido Domingo, Andrea Bocelli, Patti Lupone and Mandy Pantinkin solidified his commitment to the arts and San Antonio. His tireless work in the non-profit world never stopped and when he launched Opera Piccolo, now Alamo City Opera, he diversified even further. From 2012 through 2019, Mark brought unique, smaller operas that he felt would bring a new audience to opera. Operas like Gypsy Love, Abduction from the Seraglio: The Star Trek Version to Maria de Buenos Aires and 2019’s transgender opera, As One. Mark was never afraid to push the boundaries and bring socially important issues to the forefront. Along with opera over the last few years, Mark’s entrepreneurial spirit brought a wonderful new singing trio to our ears. The Mopei Triplets, supported by Mark, have brought another level of joy to music with their melodic, thrilling arrangements. Mark loved his family, his friends and his city. His boisterous laugh, love of movies and movie quotes, tendency to use insults as endearments along with his wonderful singing voice will all be missed. He leaves a hole in our hearts and in our city. Mark is preceded in death by his Parents Tony and Yolanda Richter; Godparents, Orlando and Beatriz Lozano and Uncle George and Aunt Tilly Richter. Mark is survived by his brother Eric Richter (Annette), niece/Goddaughter Kayla and nephew Stephen; Uncle Nardie and Aunt Josie Lozano; his first cousins Reinhard, Roland and Peter Richter and Laura, Jeff, Ronnie, Jeannette and Marlon Lozano; Goddaughter Kristin Fording Wick and many beloved cousins, family and friends. A Memorial Service will be held at 2pm on Friday, May 31st at the University of Incarnate Word, Our Lady’s Chapel, located in the administration building.

Tributes

Mark Anton Richter

April 25, 1968 - April 28, 2019