Vittorio Rieti; Composer of Ballets

Vittorio Rieti, 96, prolific composer for ballet, operas and instrumental ensembles. The American composer was born in Egypt, studied in Italy, including the University of Milan where he obtained a doctorate, and served in the Italian army during World War I. His first international success came at the ISCM Festival in Prague in 1924 with the performance of his “Concerto for Winds and Orchestra.” He divided his early years between Rome and Paris, writing mostly for Parisian ballet and theater, and the chamber music group he helped found, La Serenade. He immigrated to the United States in 1940 and became a citizen in 1944. His American ballets were choreographed by George Balanchine and his symphonies conducted by such luminaries as Arturo Toscanini. Rieti taught composition at the Peabody Conservatory, the Chicago Musical College, Queens College and the New York College of Music. On Feb. 19 in New York.