Duane Printz founded Teatro Grattacielo an ambitious opera-in-concert organization devoted to the performance and promotion of neglected works of the verismo school of Italian opera .  Since its founding in New York in 1994, the company's energetic and passionate Founding and Executive director, Teatro Grattacielo has presented such rarities as Mascagni's Iris, Cilea's L'Arlesiana, Zandonai's I Cavalieri di Ekebu, Mpntemezzi's La Nave and Gchecchi's Cassandra. Several of the works Teatro Grattacielo has uncovered have proved to be surprisingly effective and impassioned entertainments.