Giovanni Antonini

Studied at Civica Scuola di Musica in Milan, and then at the Centre de Musique Ancienne in Geneva. Founded the ensemble Il Giardino Armonico, in which he has held the post of conductor and soloist since 1989. Has performed all over Europe, North and South America, Australia, Japan and Malaysia. Has worked with many distinguished musicians, among others Cecilia Bartoli, Christophe Coin, Katia and Marielle Labèque, Viktoria Mullova and Giuliano Carmignola. As guest conductor, has collaborated with Basel Kammerorchester, Camerata Academica from Salzburg, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Orquesta National de Madrid, the Leipziger Gewandhaus-Orchester et al. In 2004 and 2005, at the invitation of Sir Simon Rattle, conducted the Berlin Philharmonic. In 2006 at La Scala in Milan, led performances of works by W. A. Mozart (Ascanio in Alba and Die Zauberflöte) and G. F. Handel (Alcina). Has made several dozen recordings for the Teldec label, encompassing instrumental music (by, among others, A. Vivaldi, J. S. Bach, H. I. F. Biber and M. Locke), as well as vocal-instrumental music (G. F. Handel). Many of his interpretations have received awards, among them the Diapason d’Or, Echo Preis and Gramophone Award. In 2000, Antonini received an individual Grammy for his Vivaldi Album with Cecilia Bartoli (Decca).