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Aniello Desiderio's Bio

In 1992, Aniello Desiderio graduated with honors from the Conservatory of Music in Alessandria, Italy. At the age of eight, he performed in public for the first time, displaying such outstanding gifts that music critics started to speak of him as an “enfant prodigy,” “wunderkind,” “a genius,” “the Orpheus of the guitar,” “a guitarist of the century,” and “il Fenomeno.”

He has won 18 first International Awards in both national and international competitions, including 1st Prize and Special Prize for the best interpretation of South American music at the International Guitar Competition in Havana, Cuba (1988); “Neapolitan of the Year” Award, Italy (1988); 1st Prize and Special Prize of the best interpretation of Tarrega’s music at the International Francisco Tarrega Competition, Benicasim, Spain (1992); and 1st Prize at the International “Guerrero” Competition, Madrid, Spain (1995).

He performs as a recitalist and soloist with orchestras in North and South Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa; regularly in the most important theaters of the world including Carnegie Hall, Munich Philarmonie, Alte Opera, Tonhalle, Teatro delle Palme, Radio France, Die Gloke, Istanbul Philarmonie, Berlin Philarmonie, and Opera House Wien.

Mr. Desiderio has performed with Virtuosi di Mosca with Vladimir Spivakov, RSO Berliner, Deutche Kammerphilarmonie, Alessandro Scarlatti, I Pomeriggi Musicali, Bach Collegium, Wiener Kammerorchester, and some of the most prestigious music festivals all over the world.

In 1999, the German Television BR/ARD produced a music film and a portrait of Mr. Desiderio in Naples, that was broadcast throughout Europe. Also, he received the “Artist in Residence Award 1999” from the German Radio DLF and the Musikfest Bremen together with Gidon Kremer. Mr. Desiderio was invited to the 70th birthday Gala of Maestro Lorn Maazel by the Bavarian Radio and Television station. Together with his brothers Gennaro and Gaetano Desiderio, and other famous Neapolitan musicians, he founded the group Passione Napoletana, performing the highly emotional music of his home town Naples: “Serenate, Tanghi, Danze, Canzoni e Tarantelle Napoletane.”

Recent appearances included performances with the Bavarian Chamber Orchestra and Romulo Larrea (Bandoneon) Tango con Passion, in Germany and with the Istanbul State Symphony Orchestra in Turkey. He records for FRAME; WAKU MUSIC; KOCH-UNIVERSAL; and since 2006, he records for his own company ADORO RECORDS.

In fall 2009, he created his latest recording project: “Quartetto Furioso” with violinist Gennaro Desiderio, pianist Gaetano Desiderio and percussionist Salvatore Minale playing a program consisting of Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” and Piazzolla’s “Four Seasons of Buenos Aires” and realized the production of a CD of this project for the famous German label Termidor, which includes artists such as Paquito D’ Rivera and Sabine Mayer.

In 2010, Aniello performed the “Concerto Madrigal” of J. Rodrigo with legendary classical guitarist Angel Romero. Since then, he gives summer masterclass at the International Academy for Mozarteum (Salzburg, Austria). Renowned guitarist John McLaughlin chose Mr. Desiderio for the European Premier of his Concerto “Thieves and Poets.” In high demand as a teacher, he’s a professor at University of Music in Potenza (Italy).