Vittorio Antonellini, born in Alessandria in 1935, was a key figure in Italian musical life, particularly in the city of L’Aquila.

His musical education began with bassoon studies at the Conservatory of Alessandria, before continuing with studies at the prestigious Santa Cecilia Conservatory in Rome.

He subsequently completed his studies with a specialization in musical paleography at the University of Pavia.

Alongside his concert career, Antonellini dedicated much of his life to teaching; he taught at several conservatories in Italy, including those of Parma, Bolzano, Bologna, and Rome. His institutional career saw him hold the important role of Director of the Campobasso Conservatory and, later, of the L’Aquila Conservatory.

The most decisive period of his career was marked by the founding of two musical institutions that defined the culture of the Region of Abruzzo:

– I Solisti Aquilani (1968): In 1968, in collaboration with Nino Carloni, Antonellini founded the chamber ensemble I Solisti Aquilani. Their debut took place on April 21, 1968, in L’Aquila. The Maestro assumed the role of first artistic and musical director and led the ensemble until 1999, leading it on international tours in Europe, the USA, Canada, South America, Africa, and the Middle East, making several recordings for major labels such as Arts, Ricordi, Dynamic, and others.
– Istituzione Sinfonica Abruzzese – ISA (1974): In 1974, Antonellini was among the founders of the Istituzione Sinfonica Abruzzese (ISA), becoming its Artistic Director, a position he held until 2010. Even after his term as director, he continued to actively collaborate with the ISA on special projects and in the education sector.

Antonellini was a prominent collaborator of Italian Radio Television (RAI) for approximately ten years, responsible for classical music programs with a particular focus on contemporary music.

He served as President of the Association of State-Recognized Orchestras, the ICO-AGIS.

Until 2015, the year of his passing, Maestro Antonellini remained active: he was still a member of the ISA Board of Directors and, shortly before his death in November 2015, he conducted the ISA orchestra in a significant concert held for the inauguration of the L’Aquila courthouse.

Vittorio Antonellini is remembered as the “founding father” of orchestral music in Abruzzo, thanks to his immense commitment to strengthening the cultural identity of the city of L’Aquila and his great dedication to youth and music education.

In tribute to his memory and his lasting contribution, the Ridotto of the Teatro Comunale de L’Aquila was named in his name.

He passed away in L’Aquila on December 23, 2015.

The ensemble formed in 1968 under Vittorio Antonellini’s direction. Their repertoire embraces a wide range of musical epochs, from Baroque to contemporary music. As the artist are internationally acclaimed, they have held tours in the most prestigious theatres in the world, from Africa to America, from Europe to the Middle and Far East. It is worth mentioning some of the most prestigious music establishments and concert halls in which they have played, such as Berlin’s Philharmonic, Milan’s Teatro alla Scala, Vienna’s Musikverein, Paris’s Salle Gaveau, London’s Wigmore Hall, Madrid’s Teatro Real, as well as the legendary New York’s Carnegie Hall, just to name a few. They have also enriched some important festivals, like Bern’s, Bratislava’s, Ljubljana’s, Venice’s, Stresa’s Festivals.

 The ensemble has also collaborated with several world-renowned artists like Maurice André, Felix Ayo, Paul Badura Skoda, Hermann Baumann, Michele Campanella, Severino Gazzelloni, Jean Pierre Rampal, Angela Hewitt, Krzysztof Penderecki, Massimo Mercelli, Salvatore Accardo, Luis Bacalov, Andrea Griminelli, Giovanni Sollima, Mischa Maisky, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Mario Brunello, Shlomo Mintz, Richard Galliano, Gerard Korsten, Manuel Barrueco, Marco Rizzi, Andrea Lucchesini, Giuliano Carmignola, Peter Eötvös, Sergej Krylov and the actor John Malkovich.

 As entitled witnesses of the musica scene, Solisti Aquilani have been protagonists numerous times by holding concerts at the Palazzo del Quirinale to celebrate the national Republic Day and to welcome foreign State Affairs heads of state in the presence of the Italian President of the Republic and the highest offices in the state, which have been broadcast live on the state channel RAI UNO as well as the state radio station RADIO 3 RAI.

 In 2019 they presented the project “A New Season” at the European Parliament headquarter in Bruxelles and in Palazzo Montecitorio in Rome. “A New Season” is a manifesto in defense of nature with a performance of Antonio Vivaldi’s Four Seasons from an environmental perspective.

 Pioneers of the Italian contemporary music scene, I solisti Aquilani have performed world premieres of major Italian composers throughout the years, such as Alessandro Solbiati, Ennio Morricone, Marco Tutino, Marcello Panni, Fabio Vacchi, Ivan Fedele, Nicola Campogrande, Silvia Colasanti, Carlo Boccadoro, Fabio Massimo Capogrosso, Carlo Galante, Roberta Vacca, Mauro Cardi, Francesco Antonioni, Filippo Del Corno, Gianvincenzo Cresta, and Federico Maria Sardelli

 Currently, the Solisti Aquilani are “resident orchestra” in the Concert Society in MIlany for the three-year period 2025/2027.

 Maurizio Cocciolito has taken on the I Solisti Aquilani artistic direction since 2013. Daniele Orlando is the first violin.

www.isolistiaquilani.it

L’Aquila, the capital of the Abruzzo region, is a city with a rich historical and cultural heritage, nestled in a picturesque valley between the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga mountains. Founded in 1254, L’Aquila boasts a historic center of great interest, despite the significant damage suffered during the 2009 earthquake. This natural disaster left a profound mark (to this day, for example, the Cathedral of Saints Giorgio and Massimo, with its neoclassical façade, remains unusable) but it also initiated a reconstruction process aimed at recovering and enhancing its extraordinary architectural heritage.

Among its most famous monuments, the Basilica of Santa Maria di Collemaggio stands out for its Romanesque façade and the Holy Door, opened every year on the occasion of the Perdonanza Celestiniana, a jubilee event of international importance established by Pope Celestine V. Another symbol of the city is the Forte Spagnolo, an imposing 16th-century military structure that now houses the MuNDA – National Museum of Abruzzo, opposite the evocative Fountain of the 99 Spouts, representing the 99 castles that contributed to the city’s foundation.

L’Aquila is also a leading cultural and academic center, home to the University of L’Aquila and events such as the Abruzzese Symphony Orchestra, which attracts visitors from around the world. These events underscore the city’s cultural vitality, which is also reflected in its vibrant food scene and local traditions.
L’Aquila also boasts a contemporary feel, reflected in the MAXXI L’Aquila museum, a branch of the MAXXI in Rome; the Auditorium del Parco, designed by renowned architect Renzo Piano and a venue for concerts, conferences, and theatrical performances; and the MU.SP.A.C. – Experimental Museum of Contemporary Art of L’Aquila, dedicated to the promotion and dissemination of contemporary art.

The city’s surroundings offer spectacular natural landscapes, ideal for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, thanks to the nearby Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga natural parks. In this context, L’Aquila presents itself as a destination that combines history and modernity, culture and nature, offering a unique experience in the heart of Abruzzo.

The repertoire was chosen to highlight the qualities of I Solisti Aquilani and to test in deep the artistry of the competitors.

Ranging from the Classic period until the XX Century, the competitors will have to deal with technical and musical issues of various kind.

During the five days of the final phase of the competition, we expect the conductor to grow and show their qualities at the highest level.

Vittorio Antonellini, born in Alessandria in 1935, was a key figure in Italian musical life, particularly in the city of L’Aquila.

His musical education began with bassoon studies at the Conservatory of Alessandria, before continuing with studies at the prestigious Santa Cecilia Conservatory in Rome.

He subsequently completed his studies with a specialization in musical paleography at the University of Pavia.

Alongside his concert career, Antonellini dedicated much of his life to teaching; he taught at several conservatories in Italy, including those of Parma, Bolzano, Bologna, and Rome. His institutional career saw him hold the important role of Director of the Campobasso Conservatory and, later, of the L’Aquila Conservatory.

The most decisive period of his career was marked by the founding of two musical institutions that defined the culture of the Region of Abruzzo:

– I Solisti Aquilani (1968): In 1968, in collaboration with Nino Carloni, Antonellini founded the chamber ensemble I Solisti Aquilani. Their debut took place on April 21, 1968, in L’Aquila. The Maestro assumed the role of first artistic and musical director and led the ensemble until 1999, leading it on international tours in Europe, the USA, Canada, South America, Africa, and the Middle East, making several recordings for major labels such as Arts, Ricordi, Dynamic, and others.
– Istituzione Sinfonica Abruzzese – ISA (1974): In 1974, Antonellini was among the founders of the Istituzione Sinfonica Abruzzese (ISA), becoming its Artistic Director, a position he held until 2010. Even after his term as director, he continued to actively collaborate with the ISA on special projects and in the education sector.

Antonellini was a prominent collaborator of Italian Radio Television (RAI) for approximately ten years, responsible for classical music programs with a particular focus on contemporary music.

He served as President of the Association of State-Recognized Orchestras, the ICO-AGIS.

Until 2015, the year of his passing, Maestro Antonellini remained active: he was still a member of the ISA Board of Directors and, shortly before his death in November 2015, he conducted the ISA orchestra in a significant concert held for the inauguration of the L’Aquila courthouse.

Vittorio Antonellini is remembered as the “founding father” of orchestral music in Abruzzo, thanks to his immense commitment to strengthening the cultural identity of the city of L’Aquila and his great dedication to youth and music education.

In tribute to his memory and his lasting contribution, the Ridotto of the Teatro Comunale de L’Aquila was named in his name.

He passed away in L’Aquila on December 23, 2015.

The ensemble formed in 1968 under Vittorio Antonellini’s direction. Their repertoire embraces a wide range of musical epochs, from Baroque to contemporary music. As the artist are internationally acclaimed, they have held tours in the most prestigious theatres in the world, from Africa to America, from Europe to the Middle and Far East. It is worth mentioning some of the most prestigious music establishments and concert halls in which they have played, such as Berlin’s Philharmonic, Milan’s Teatro alla Scala, Vienna’s Musikverein, Paris’s Salle Gaveau, London’s Wigmore Hall, Madrid’s Teatro Real, as well as the legendary New York’s Carnegie Hall, just to name a few. They have also enriched some important festivals, like Bern’s, Bratislava’s, Ljubljana’s, Venice’s, Stresa’s Festivals.

 The ensemble has also collaborated with several world-renowned artists like Maurice André, Felix Ayo, Paul Badura Skoda, Hermann Baumann, Michele Campanella, Severino Gazzelloni, Jean Pierre Rampal, Angela Hewitt, Krzysztof Penderecki, Massimo Mercelli, Salvatore Accardo, Luis Bacalov, Andrea Griminelli, Giovanni Sollima, Mischa Maisky, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Mario Brunello, Shlomo Mintz, Richard Galliano, Gerard Korsten, Manuel Barrueco, Marco Rizzi, Andrea Lucchesini, Giuliano Carmignola, Peter Eötvös, Sergej Krylov and the actor John Malkovich.

 As entitled witnesses of the musica scene, Solisti Aquilani have been protagonists numerous times by holding concerts at the Palazzo del Quirinale to celebrate the national Republic Day and to welcome foreign State Affairs heads of state in the presence of the Italian President of the Republic and the highest offices in the state, which have been broadcast live on the state channel RAI UNO as well as the state radio station RADIO 3 RAI.

 In 2019 they presented the project “A New Season” at the European Parliament headquarter in Bruxelles and in Palazzo Montecitorio in Rome. “A New Season” is a manifesto in defense of nature with a performance of Antonio Vivaldi’s Four Seasons from an environmental perspective.

 Pioneers of the Italian contemporary music scene, I solisti Aquilani have performed world premieres of major Italian composers throughout the years, such as Alessandro Solbiati, Ennio Morricone, Marco Tutino, Marcello Panni, Fabio Vacchi, Ivan Fedele, Nicola Campogrande, Silvia Colasanti, Carlo Boccadoro, Fabio Massimo Capogrosso, Carlo Galante, Roberta Vacca, Mauro Cardi, Francesco Antonioni, Filippo Del Corno, Gianvincenzo Cresta, and Federico Maria Sardelli

 Currently, the Solisti Aquilani are “resident orchestra” in the Concert Society in MIlany for the three-year period 2025/2027.

 Maurizio Cocciolito has taken on the I Solisti Aquilani artistic direction since 2013. Daniele Orlando is the first violin.

www.isolistiaquilani.it

L’Aquila, the capital of the Abruzzo region, is a city with a rich historical and cultural heritage, nestled in a picturesque valley between the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga mountains. Founded in 1254, L’Aquila boasts a historic center of great interest, despite the significant damage suffered during the 2009 earthquake. This natural disaster left a profound mark (to this day, for example, the Cathedral of Saints Giorgio and Massimo, with its neoclassical façade, remains unusable) but it also initiated a reconstruction process aimed at recovering and enhancing its extraordinary architectural heritage.

Among its most famous monuments, the Basilica of Santa Maria di Collemaggio stands out for its Romanesque façade and the Holy Door, opened every year on the occasion of the Perdonanza Celestiniana, a jubilee event of international importance established by Pope Celestine V. Another symbol of the city is the Forte Spagnolo, an imposing 16th-century military structure that now houses the MuNDA – National Museum of Abruzzo, opposite the evocative Fountain of the 99 Spouts, representing the 99 castles that contributed to the city’s foundation.

L’Aquila is also a leading cultural and academic center, home to the University of L’Aquila and events such as the Abruzzese Symphony Orchestra, which attracts visitors from around the world. These events underscore the city’s cultural vitality, which is also reflected in its vibrant food scene and local traditions.
L’Aquila also boasts a contemporary feel, reflected in the MAXXI L’Aquila museum, a branch of the MAXXI in Rome; the Auditorium del Parco, designed by renowned architect Renzo Piano and a venue for concerts, conferences, and theatrical performances; and the MU.SP.A.C. – Experimental Museum of Contemporary Art of L’Aquila, dedicated to the promotion and dissemination of contemporary art.

The city’s surroundings offer spectacular natural landscapes, ideal for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, thanks to the nearby Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga natural parks. In this context, L’Aquila presents itself as a destination that combines history and modernity, culture and nature, offering a unique experience in the heart of Abruzzo.

The repertoire was chosen to highlight the qualities of I Solisti Aquilani and to test in deep the artistry of the competitors.

Ranging from the Classic period until the XX Century, the competitors will have to deal with technical and musical issues of various kind.

During the five days of the final phase of the competition, we expect the conductor to grow and show their qualities at the highest level.