Nicola Campogrande
*1969, Turin
"Campogrande's greatness lies in his ability to create music that belongs to the audience, that creates no separation between players and listeners. His scores convey a sense of optimism and emotion."
Paul DanielAfter completing his studies at the conservatories of Milan and Paris, he began developing a distinctive personal style that connects past and present traditions in fascinating new ways. Musicians such as Riccardo Chailly, Gauthier Capuçon, Lilya Zilberstein, Mario Brunello, Roberto Abbado, Stanislav Kochanovsky, and Sergej Krylov have performed his works, appreciating their freshness and vitality as well as his ability to touch the hearts of listeners.
As a passionate music theater composer, he wrote the operas Lego, Opera italiana, #Folon, De bello gallico, La notte di San Nicola, and I due usignoli, which blend the lyrical tradition of Italian opera, specific features of the early musical avant-garde, and atmospheric hints of jazz and rock. Campogrande's works have been recorded on over 35 CDs.
He is also a university professor and a respected radio and television host. Campogrande was a member of the international music commission of the European choral association Europa Cantat and served as artistic director of the MITO SettembreMusica festival from 2016 to 2023. He is the father of three children and lives in Rome.