Fabio Biondi

Composers

Biography

Fabio Biondi is Italy's leading period instruments and Baroque violinist, and is one of the leading European violinists.

He began violin lessons with Salvatore Cicerto at the age of five in his native Palermo. At the age of 12 he appeared as a concerto soloist with the Italian Radio (RAI) Symphony Orchestra in several concerts. At that time, he played modern violin, but in his early teens, he began to take an interest in period Read more instruments and performing styles and began to play Baroque and Classical violin as well as the modern instrument. (The distinction between these types of string instruments is how they are set up -- what kinds of strings, bridges, and bows are used, for instance.)

In the 1970s, when Biondi was polishing his technique, period instrument performance flourished in Europe and America, although Italy was not in the forefront of it. He studied at the Conservatory of Rome with Mauro Lo Guercio, winning first prize in violin in 1981.

By then Biondi had already began establishing himself as a Baroque violinist, having made his first appearance in that capacity in a concert at the Musikverein in Vienna at the age of 16. After graduation, he formed a string quartet, the Stendahl Quartet, which gave concerts from the quartet repertory from the Classical through contemporary times. What set the Stendahl Quartet apart was that any work that it performed was always played on instruments appropriate to the period, and in a stylistically informed manner. Several Italian composers composed for the quartet.

Biondi worked during the 1980s with several of the leading original instruments ensembles of the continent, including Hesperion XX, Les Musiciens du Louvre, Musica Antiqua of Vienna, the Clemencic Consort, the Chapelle Royale, and the Camerata di Lugano. He recorded the earliest of violin concertos, those by such Italian masters as Veracini, Locatelli, and Tartini.

In 1989, he founded La Europa Galante, Italy's first dedicated Baroque original instruments orchestra. Since then, he has served as its conductor and music director, as well as its solo violinist. Where appropriate, he conducts from the violin, as was often done during the era.

Biondi and La Europa Galante have often appeared at major international music festivals, and the ensemble has functioned as the orchestra in several productions of Baroque opera. These include the modern premiere of the opera Poro by Handel, and in the oratorios La Maddelena and Humanità e Lucifero by Alessandro Scarlatti and La Passione di Gèsu Cristo by Caldara. He has led La Europa Galante in opera productions at Monte Carlo, the St. Cecilia Academy in Rome, the Baroque Music Center in Versailles, the Nice Opera, and Wigmore Hall in London.

He often guest conducts with standard orchestras, which include the Radio France Philharmonic, the Montpelier Philharmonic Orchestra, and chamber and period orchestras including the Collegium Orchestra of New York, the Rotterdam Chamber Orchestra, the Netherlands Chamber Orchestra, and the Ensemble Orchestral de Paris.

Biondi has won numerous recording prizes including the Diapason d'Or of the Year, the Priz Cini of Italy, the ffff de Telérama, and Choc de Musique. His widely acclaimed recording with La Europa Galante of Vivaldi's Four Seasons was named Disc of the Year by organizations in Canada, Sweden, France, Spain, and Finland. He is an exclusive artist for Virgin Classics. Read less

Featured Fabio Biondi CDs & DVDs:

Bach: Concertos / Fabio Biondi, Europa Galante
Bach: Concertos / Fabio Biondi, Europa Galante
Release Date: 01/11/2000   Label: Virgin Classics Veritas  
Catalog: 45361   Number of Discs: 1
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Bach: Cantatas & Arias / Bostridge, Biondi, Europa Galante
Bach: Cantatas & Arias / Bostridge, Biondi, Europa Galante
Release Date: 01/09/2001   Label: Virgin Classics Veritas  
Catalog: 45420   Number of Discs: 1
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Italian Violin Sonatas / Fabio Biondi, Europa Galante
Italian Violin Sonatas / Fabio Biondi, Europa Galante
Release Date: 07/08/2003   Label: Virgin Classics Veritas  
Catalog: 45588   Number of Discs: 1
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Browse 26-47 of 47 Available Recordings
1 2
  • 26.
    G.p. Telemann: Trio Sonatas / Biondi, Et Al
    G.p. Telemann: Trio Sonatas / Biondi, Et Al
    Label: Stradivarius   Catalog: 33685 Release Date: 09/07/2004   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Georg Philipp Telemann
    Performer:  Caroline Boersma,  Sergio Ciomei,  Fabio Biondi,  Lorenzo Cavasanti
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Tripla Concordia
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  • 27.
    Malipiero, Respighi, Pizzetti, Casella: Works For Violin
    Label: Naive   Catalog: 40-9202 Release Date: 08/13/2003   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Alfredo Casella,  Ottorino Respighi,  Ildebrando Pizzetti
    Performer:  Luigi Di Ilio,  Fabio Biondi
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  • 28.
    Italian Violin Sonatas / Fabio Biondi, Europa Galante
    Italian Violin Sonatas / Fabio Biondi, Europa Galante
    Label: Virgin Classics Veritas   Catalog: 45588 Release Date: 07/08/2003   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Michele Mascitti,  Giuseppe Tartini,  Pietro Antonio Locatelli,  Francesco Maria Veracini  ... 
    Performer:  Fabio Biondi
    Conductor:  Fabio Biondi
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Europa Galante
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  • 29.
    Vivaldi: Four Seasons, Etc / Fabio Biondi, Europa Galante
    Vivaldi: Four Seasons, Etc / Fabio Biondi, Europa Galante
    Label: Virgin Classics Veritas   Catalog: 45565 Release Date: 05/06/2003   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Antonio Vivaldi
    Performer:  Fabio Biondi,  Raffaello Negri,  Enrico Casazza,  Isabella Longo  ... 
    Conductor:  Fabio Biondi
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Europa Galante
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  • 30.
    Vivaldi: Concerti Per Mandolini, Etc /Biondi, Europa Galante
    Vivaldi: Concerti Per Mandolini, Etc /Biondi, Europa Galante
    Label: Virgin Classics Veritas   Catalog: 45527 Release Date: 01/07/2003   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Antonio Vivaldi
    Performer:  Fabio Biondi,  Maurice Steger,  Stefano Vezzani,  Simone Toni  ... 
    Conductor:  Fabio Biondi
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Europa Galante
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  • 31.
    Tête À Tête - Vivaldi: Concerti / Biondi, L'europa Galante
    Tête À Tête - Vivaldi: Concerti / Biondi, L'europa Galante
    Label: Naive   Catalog: 20009 Release Date: 11/12/2002   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Antonio Vivaldi
    Performer:  Fabio Biondi
    Conductor:  Fabio Biondi
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Europa Galante
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  • 32.
    Scarlatti: Concerti & Sinfonie / Biondi, Europa Galante
    Scarlatti: Concerti & Sinfonie / Biondi, Europa Galante
    Label: Virgin Classics Veritas   Catalog: 45495 Release Date: 05/07/2002   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Alessandro Scarlatti,  Domenico Scarlatti
    Performer:  Fabio Biondi,  Maurizio Naddeo,  Lorenzo Colitto,  Petr Zejfart  ... 
    Conductor:  Fabio Biondi
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Europa Galante
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  • 33.
    Tous Les Matins Du Monde - Original Soundtrack / Jordi Savall
    Tous Les Matins Du Monde - Original Soundtrack / Jordi Savall
    Label: Alia Vox   Catalog: 9821 Release Date: 03/12/2002   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  François Couperin,  Marin Marais,  Anonymous,  Jean de Sainte-Colombe  ... 
    Performer:  Rolf Lislevand,  Maria Cristina Kiehr,  Montserrat Figueras,  Jordi Savall  ... 
    Conductor:  Jordi Savall
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Le Concert des Nations
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  • 34.
    Vivaldi: Stabat Mater, Nisi Dominus, Etc / Daniels, Biondi
    Vivaldi: Stabat Mater, Nisi Dominus, Etc / Daniels, Biondi
    Label: Virgin Classics Veritas   Catalog: 45474 Release Date: 01/08/2002   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Antonio Vivaldi
    Performer:  Maurizio Naddeo,  Francisco Jose Montero,  Lorenzo Colitto,  Fabio Biondi  ... 
    Conductor:  Fabio Biondi
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Europa Galante
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  • 35.
    Vivaldi: Il Cimento Dell'armonia / Biondi, Europa Galante
    Vivaldi: Il Cimento Dell'armonia / Biondi, Europa Galante
    Label: Virgin Classics Veritas   Catalog: 45465 Release Date: 07/31/2001   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Antonio Vivaldi
    Performer:  Fabio Biondi
    Conductor:  Fabio Biondi
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Europa Galante
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  • 36.
    Boccherini: String Quintets, Etc / Biondi, Europa Galante
    Boccherini: String Quintets, Etc / Biondi, Europa Galante
    Label: Virgin Classics Veritas   Catalog: 45421 Release Date: 05/08/2001   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Luigi Boccherini
    Performer:  Ernest Braucher,  Maurizio Naddeo,  Antonio Fantinuoli,  Enrico Casazza  ... 
    Conductor:  Fabio Biondi
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Europa Galante members
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  • 37.
    Bach: Cantatas & Arias / Bostridge, Biondi, Europa Galante
    Bach: Cantatas & Arias / Bostridge, Biondi, Europa Galante
    Label: Virgin Classics Veritas   Catalog: 45420 Release Date: 01/09/2001   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer:  Fabio Biondi,  Ian Bostridge,  Enrico Casazza,  Antonio Abete  ... 
    Conductor:  Fabio Biondi
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Europa Galante
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  • 38.
    Ombra Mai Fu / Gerard Lesne, Et Al
    Ombra Mai Fu / Gerard Lesne, Et Al
    Label: Virgin Classics Special Import   Catalog: 45179 Release Date: 07/11/2000   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Marc-Antoine Charpentier,  Antonio Vivaldi,  Antonio Caldara,  Johann Sebastian Bach  ... 
    Performer:  Gérard Lesne,  Catherine Greuillet,  Caroline Pelon,  Fabio Biondi  ... 
    Conductor:  Philippe Herreweghe,  Nancy Hadden
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Seminario Musicale,  Ghent Collegium Vocale Orchestra,  Tragicomedia members  ... 
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  • 39.
    Vivaldi: La Tempesta Di Mare, Etc / Biondi, Europa Galante
    Vivaldi: La Tempesta Di Mare, Etc / Biondi, Europa Galante
    Label: Virgin Classics Veritas   Catalog: 45424 Release Date: 06/27/2000   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Antonio Vivaldi
    Performer:  Fabio Biondi,  Enrico Casazza,  Ernest Braucher,  Lorenzo Colitto  ... 
    Conductor:  Fabio Biondi
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Europa Galante
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  • 40.
    Bach: Concertos / Fabio Biondi, Europa Galante
    Bach: Concertos / Fabio Biondi, Europa Galante
    Label: Virgin Classics Veritas   Catalog: 45361 Release Date: 01/11/2000   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer:  Sergio Ciomei,  Fabio Biondi,  Alfredo Bernardini
    Conductor:  Fabio Biondi
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Europa Galante
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  • 41.
    Boccherini: 6 Trios Opus 47 / Fabio Biondi, L'europa Galante
    Boccherini: 6 Trios Opus 47 / Fabio Biondi, L'europa Galante
    Label: Naive   Catalog: 419105 Release Date: 12/30/1999   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Luigi Boccherini
    Performer:  Fabio Biondi,  Angelo Bartoletti,  Maurizio Naddeo
    Conductor:  Fabio Biondi
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Europa Galante
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  • 42.
    Legrenzi: Invenzioni E Stravaganze / Biondi, Europa Galante
    Legrenzi: Invenzioni E Stravaganze / Biondi, Europa Galante
    Label: Naive   Catalog: 30186 Release Date: 11/16/1999   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Salomone Rossi,  Biagio Marini,  Andrea Falconieri,  Giovanni Battista Vitali  ... 
    Performer:  Fabio Biondi,  Enrico Casazza
    Conductor:  Fabio Biondi
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Europa Galante
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  • 43.
    Vivaldi: L'estro Armonico / Biondi, Europa Galante
    Vivaldi: L'estro Armonico / Biondi, Europa Galante
    Label: Virgin Classics Veritas   Catalog: 45315 Release Date: 07/14/1998   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Antonio Vivaldi
    Performer:  Fabio Biondi
    Conductor:  Fabio Biondi
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Europa Galante
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  • 44.
    Mozart: Violin Sonatas / Fabio Biondi, Olga Tverskaya
    Mozart: Violin Sonatas / Fabio Biondi, Olga Tverskaya
    Label: Naive   Catalog: 30216 Release Date: 03/10/1998   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
    Performer:  Fabio Biondi,  Olga Tverskaya
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  • 45.
    Vivaldi: Dresden Sonatas / Biondi, Alessandrini, Naddeo
    Vivaldi: Dresden Sonatas / Biondi, Alessandrini, Naddeo
    Label: Naive   Catalog: 30154 Release Date: 10/22/1996   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Antonio Vivaldi
    Performer:  Fabio Biondi,  Rinaldo Alessandrini,  Maurizio Naddeo
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Europa Galante
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  • 46.
    Vivaldi: The Four Seasons / Fabio Biondi, L'europa Galante
    Vivaldi: The Four Seasons / Fabio Biondi, L'europa Galante
    Label: Naive   Catalog: 569120 Release Date: 12/06/1993   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Antonio Vivaldi
    Performer:  Fabio Biondi
    Conductor:  Fabio Biondi
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Europa Galante
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  • 47.
    Lully: Comédy Ballets / Minkowski, Musiciens Du Louvre
    Lully: Comédy Ballets / Minkowski, Musiciens Du Louvre
    Label: Erato   Catalog: 245286 Release Date: 10/25/1990   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Jean-Baptiste Lully
    Performer:  Agnès Mellon,  Hugo Reyne,  Michel Laplénie,  Isabelle Poulenard  ... 
    Conductor:  Marc Minkowski
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Les Musiciens du Louvre
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