Gabriele Micheli
After graduating in Pianoforte from ISSM L. Boccherini in Lucca in 1980 and in Choir Conducting from ISSM G.B. Martini in Bologna in 1984, I developed a keen interest in Early Music.
I pursued further studies in Harpsichord under the guidance of Daniel Chorzempa at the Scuola di Musica di Fiesole. I also attended masterclasses with Kenneth Gilbert and Christopher Kite in London, as well as with Ton Koopman in Verona.
My specialization lies in accompaniment ranging from thorough-bass to the harpsichord and organ.
To deepen my understanding of the style and interpretation of Renaissance and Baroque music, I trained my voice with Ian Partridge, Emma Kirkby, and Evelyn Tubb.
Since 1981, I have been working as a Maestro Sostituto and Maestro al Cembalo for various prestigious organizations, including the Festival Internazionale Villa Reale, Teatro del Giglio di Lucca, Teatro Sistina di Roma, Festival Musica in scena di Agliè, Teatro Rossini di Lugo di Romagna, Teatro Manzoni di Pistoia, Festival di Barga, Teatro Cavour di Imperia, and collaborated with renowned names in the International Theatre such as V. Puecher, F. Crivelli, B. Menegatti, V. Bertinetti, C. Fracci, H. Handt, B. Rigacci, N. Wiss, and G. Ravazzi. I have worked on productions of Don Giovanni, Le Nozze di Figaro by Mozart, Il Biante by Stradella, Tristan und Isolde by Wagner, L’empio punito by A. Melani, Il giocatore by Cherubini, Prima la musica poi le parole by Salieri, La cambiale di matrimonio, La scala di seta, Il Barbiere di Siviglia by Rossini, La Rita, L’elisir d’amore, Il campanello, I pazzi per progetto by Donizetti, Il mondo della Luna by Paisiello, and Il matrimonio segreto by Cimarosa. Some of these productions were featured on Concerti Italcable broadcasted on Rai-Radio 3 on 9th November 1986. Notably, a live recording of Donizetti's I pazzi per progetto at Teatro di Lugo di Romagna in 1988 was published on CD by Bongiovanni.
In 1985, I had the opportunity to work as a Pianist on Board for the Chandris Lines of London. This experience allowed me to enhance my knowledge of Jazz and Musical repertoire, as well as the English Language.
From 1986 to 1989, I worked with ORT - Orchestra della Toscana as a harpsichordist and organist, collaborating with esteemed artists such as F. Bruggen, A. Bijlsma, E. Ameling, D. Chorzempa, P. Pollastri, P. Kogan, M. Inoue, and D. Gatti.
Between 1994 and 1998, I was associated with The Consort of Musicke under the direction of A. Rooley. As a harpsichordist and vocal coach, I participated in the Dartington International Summer School, presenting masques and English operas by Purcell, Eccles, and Blow.
In 1992, I played the organ and acted in the documentary Banquet of Senses, filmed at Palazzo Te in Mantua for HDTV Holland. The accompanying CD, featuring music by Monteverdi titled Madrigali erotici e spirituali, was released by Musica Oscura.
With I solisti del Madrigale led by Giovanni Acciai, I performed in numerous concerts featuring music by Monteverdi. I also played the harpsichord and recorded the Sesto libro dei Madrigali for Nuova Era.
In 2000, I recorded Neue Clavier-Übung by Kuhnau as a solo harpsichordist for Dynamic. The recording was well-received, with the American Record Guide praising my tasteful and imaginative embellishments, flexible sense of pulse, and skill in bringing out lively and varied harpsichord textures through arpeggios and articulation (Haskins, American Record Guide Jan/Feb 2001).
I had the privilege of being a Guest Conductor at the University of Cincinnati, coaching singers on Italian vocality. I conducted "Alcina" by Handel, staged by David Edwards, "Amore e Morte," music by Monteverdi, staged by Malcolm Fraser, and an opera on the life of Carlo Gesualdo da Venosa with music by Alan Otte and madrigals by Gesualdo, also staged by Malcolm Fraser.
I have worked as a coach in international master classes on vocality held by G. Ravazzi, D. Ferro, C. Vilalta, H. Handt, Cincinnati University, Wichita State University, and AEDO (University of Western Ontario).
Throughout my career, I have collaborated with esteemed artists such as Herbert Handt, Pro Cantione Antiqua, Paolo Pollastri, Sergio Azzolini, Sergio Siminovich, Angelo Bartoletti, Paul Goodwin, Rinaldo Alessandrini, and Mario Ancillotti.
From 2000 to 2008, I served as the Vice President of the Accademia italiana di canto, an institution dedicated to the study and realization of Italian operas from the 18th century. During my tenure, the Academy produced Handel's Orlando and Ottone, Boccherini's La Clementina, and Paisiello's and Pergolesi's La serva padrona.
In September 2011, I conducted Domenico Puccini's Il Ciarlatano at Teatro del Giglio in Lucca.
From 2002 to 2013, I held the position of Artistic Director alongside Maestro Riccardo Risaliti for the Association Pro Musica Firenze.
I worked as a répétiteur at the Conservatories of Genoa (1985–1989) and Parma (1990–1995). From 1996 to 2024, I was a Professor at the “P. Mascagni” Conservatory of Music in Livorno.
From 2004 to 2014, I served as the Coordinator for International Relations at the same institution. In this role, I oversaw the organization of international mobility programs funded by the European Community, including Erasmus and Leonardo.
In the 2015–2016 academic year, I held the position of Vice Director.
Since 2016, I have been the Director of the Coro Vincenzo Galilei at the Scuola Normale Superiore in Pisa.
In June 2019, my libretto Il Pappatacio, set to music by Silvia Marchetti, won the “Valerio Valoriani” Prize awarded by the Teatro del Giglio in Lucca for the best libretto in the “Puccini Chamber Opera” season.
My opera librettos have been set to music by Gerolamo Deraco, Lorenzo Petrizzo, Francesco Cipriano, Edoardo Caballero, Alejandro Padilla, and Filippo Macchiarelli.
I am currently enjoying my retirement by occasionally taking part in concerts, where I accompany singers and ensembles on the harpsichord—always choosing to perform with friends and on pleasant occasions.