Mario Brunello

Italian cellist Mario Brunello was born in 1960 in Castelfranco Veneto. He studied with Adriano Vendramelli and Antonio Janigro and, in 1986, became the first Italian to win the cello section of the International Tchaikovsky Competition. This victory launched a stellar international career, leading to appearances with prestigious orchestras such as the London Philharmonic, Munich Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra and Orchestre National de France.

A passionate chamber musician, Brunello has collaborated with artists including Gidon Kremer, Martha Argerich and the Borodin and Alban Berg Quartets. He often assumes the dual role of conductor and soloist; in 1994 he founded the Orchestra d’Archi Italiana and has continued to tour both as conductor and cellist. His diverse projects include interdisciplinary performances combining music, literature and science, and he serves as artistic director of the International String Quartet Competition Premio Paolo Borciani.