His final years
In 1976 Tommy was appointed as resident conductor of the Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome beginning with the 1977-78 season. It is one of the oldest and most prestigious musical institutions in the world and he was to have been the first American conductor to attain such a position with this orchestra. Sadly, he was never to fulfill his tenure there.
As early as Spring 1976 Tommy was forced to cancel engagements due to his illness. Further on, in February of 1977, it was not possible for him to fulfill his commitment at the Metropolitan Opera to conduct La Bohème. It was to be the first opera televised from the Met. During the same period, he was unable to conduct several performances with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. He attempted to conceal his poor state of health not only from the public but also, as far as possible, from his close friends. The last performance he conducted was Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia at La Scala in Milan in January 1977.
It was 7:55 in the evening on December 16, 1977. At 550 Park Avenue in Manhattan Thomas Schippers, who had been ill for quite some time, passed away ending one of the most brilliant American musical careers of that time. The attending physician, William G. Cahan, certified that his death was due to natural causes. From March 1977 until his death, Schippers was in the care of Dr. Cahan who was a noted specialist for pulmonary carcinoma.
As he wished, there was no funeral. And as he wished, he was cremated at the Garden State Crematory in North Bergen, New Jersey two days later.
Following a concert and a commemorative ceremony, his ashes were placed in the wall next to the Duomo of Spoleto.