Alberto Zedda Italian conductor and musicologist Date of Birth: 02.01.1928 Country: Italy

1. Biography of Alberto Zedda
2. International Success
3. Musicologist and Educator
4. Accademia Rossiniana
5. Reviving Rossini's Works

Biography of Alberto Zedda

Alberto Zedda was an Italian conductor and musicologist. He was born on January 2, 1928, in Milan, where he studied music and conducting under Antonino Votto and Carlo Maria Giulini. Zedda made his professional debut in 1956, with a production of "Il barbiere di Siviglia." In 1957, he became the winner of the International RAI Conducting Competition, which opened doors for him to prestigious Italian and international theaters and conservatories.

International Success

Zedda's success at the RAI Conducting Competition led to invitations to work in Germany, Holland, Belgium, France, Spain, Poland, Russia, Israel, the United States, China, and Japan. He was invited to conduct at renowned theaters including Teatro San Carlo in Naples, La Fenice in Venice, Teatro Massimo in Palermo, Teatro Comunale in Bologna, Covent Garden in London, Mariinsky Theatre, and Vienna State Opera, among others. Zedda's extensive discography includes numerous orchestral and chamber works, as well as operas.

Musicologist and Educator

In addition to conducting, Zedda dedicated part of his time to musicology. He published critical commentaries on operas, oratorios, and cantatas, with a particular focus on the works of Rossini and music from the early 19th century. Zedda held the position of director for Italian repertoire at the New York City Opera and was a member of the editorial committee of the Rossini Foundation since its inception. He also served as the artistic consultant for the Rossini Opera Festival in Pesaro, the Mozart Festival in La Coruña, and the Baroque Festival of Fano. Zedda is currently the head of the Rossini Opera Festival in Pesaro and the honorary president of the German Rossini Society.

Accademia Rossiniana

Zedda is considered one of the most experienced specialists and conductors of Rossini's works in modern times. He is also an unmatched teacher for young artists at his Accademia Rossiniana in Pesaro. In addition, he conducts masterclasses worldwide, with a particular emphasis on the prestigious Bad Wildbad in Germany.

Reviving Rossini's Works

When Zedda began working with the New York Philharmonic, he encountered some passages in the overture of "Il barbiere di Siviglia" that were impossible to play due to careless notations in the score. In the 1960s, Zedda revised the score, thereby initiating a modern, philologically accurate interpretation of Rossini's works and reviving interest in his music.