Role

:

Conductor

Birth

:

1956 in Bari, Italy

 

Antonio Florio is a renowned Italian conductor and musicologist who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on December 12, 1961, in Bari, Italy, Florio showed an early interest in music and began studying the piano at the age of six. He later went on to study musicology at the University of Bologna, where he earned his degree in 1985. Florio's passion for music led him to explore the rich musical heritage of his native Italy, particularly the Baroque period. He became fascinated with the music of composers such as Claudio Monteverdi, Francesco Cavalli, and Giovanni Battista Pergolesi, and began to specialize in the performance of Baroque music. In 1987, Florio founded the Cappella della Pietà de' Turchini, a vocal and instrumental ensemble dedicated to the performance of Baroque music. The ensemble quickly gained a reputation for its innovative and dynamic performances, and Florio's leadership was widely praised for his ability to bring out the best in his musicians. Over the years, Florio and the Cappella della Pietà de' Turchini have performed at some of the world's most prestigious music festivals and concert halls, including the Salzburg Festival, the Edinburgh International Festival, and the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris. They have also recorded numerous albums, many of which have received critical acclaim and won awards. One of Florio's most notable achievements was his revival of the music of Giovanni Battista Pergolesi. In 2004, he conducted a performance of Pergolesi's Stabat Mater at the Salzburg Festival, which was widely regarded as a triumph. The performance was later released on DVD and won the prestigious Diapason d'Or award. Florio has also been recognized for his contributions to the field of musicology. In 1999, he was awarded a PhD in musicology from the University of Bologna for his research on the music of the Neapolitan Baroque. He has published numerous articles and books on the subject, and his work has been widely cited and praised by scholars and musicians alike. In addition to his work with the Cappella della Pietà de' Turchini, Florio has also conducted many other orchestras and ensembles, including the Orchestra Sinfonica Nazionale della RAI, the Orchestra Filarmonica di Torino, and the Orchestra del Teatro San Carlo in Naples. He has also collaborated with many renowned soloists, including Cecilia Bartoli, Philippe Jaroussky, and Andreas Scholl. Florio's dedication to the performance and study of Baroque music has earned him numerous awards and honors over the years. In 2006, he was awarded the prestigious Premio Abbiati, the highest honor in Italian classical music, for his contributions to the revival of the music of Pergolesi. He has also been awarded the Cavaliere della Repubblica Italiana, the highest honor bestowed by the Italian government, for his contributions to the arts. Despite his many achievements, Florio remains humble and dedicated to his craft. He continues to explore the rich musical heritage of Italy and to share his passion for Baroque music with audiences around the world. His contributions to the world of classical music have been significant, and his legacy is sure to endure for many years to come.

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