Nicola Campogrande, born in Turin in 1969, stands out today as one of Italy’s most important composers.
Since 2017, his works have been published exclusively by the renowned Breitkopf & Härtel.
After completing his studies at the conservatories in Milan and Paris, Campogrande crafted a unique style that masterfully blends classical traditions with modern sensibilities. His compositions have been embraced by world-class artists such as Gauthier Capuçon, Riccardo Chailly, Lilya Zilberstein, and Mario Brunello. Prestigious ensembles like the Filarmonica della Scala, Orchestre National d’Île-de-France, Washington’s National Symphony Orchestra and the Lithuanian National Orchestra have also brought his scores to life, lauding their energy, originality, and emotional depth.
Deeply passionate about musical theater, he has composed operas such as De bello gallico, #Folon, Opera italiana, La notte di San Nicola, I due usignoli, Macchinario, Lego, and Alianti. His oeuvre extends beyond operatic works, encompassing a rich array of orchestral and chamber music.
Some of his most celebrated pieces include Sinfonia n. 2 “Un mondo nuovo”, Concerto for audience and orchestra, R (A portrait for piano and orchestra), Concerto allegro for guitar and orchestra, Nudo, Preludi da viaggio, Cinque modi per aprire un concerto, Urban gardens, Ink-jet preludes, Forme di felicità, and Dances of Laughter and Forgetting. These compositions have been recorded on over 35 albums (ranging from DECCA to independent labels) and performed at iconic venues such as London’s Royal Albert Hall and Wigmore Hall, Milan’s Teatro alla Scala, Paris’s Philharmonie, Kennedy Center in Washington and Rome’s Auditorium Santa Cecilia.
From 2016 to 2023, Campogrande served as the artistic director of the MITO Settembre Musica Festival. He has been a voice on Italian RAI Radio3 since 1998, produced the TV series Contrappunti for Classica HD, and frequently contributes to the cultural pages of Il Corriere della Sera.
He is actively involved in the governance of cultural institutions, serving on the board of Fondazione Musica per Roma and advising the European Choral Association – Europa Cantat, where he previously sat on the International Music Commission.
In addition to his musical accomplishments, Campogrande is a prolific author. His 2015 book, Occhio alle orecchie. Come ascoltare musica classica e vivere felici, has seen six editions, while his other notable works include 100 brani di musica classica da ascoltare una volta nella vita (2018), Capire la musica classica ragionando da compositori (2020), and Storia della musica classica. Il racconto di un’avventura straordinaria, dal Medioevo a Spotify (2024). He has also contributed to educational literature with Prima la musica! (2022).
President of the Board of Judges in “2 Agosto” International Composing Competition, Edition 2025
