Monica Piccinini (I)

Monica Piccinini, born in Reggio Emilia, is a soprano specializing in Renaissance and Baroque repertoire, with a career that has led her to collaborate with some of the most important ensembles and conductors on the international scene. After earning a degree in violin, she began studying voice with Franca Mattiucci and Elena Kriatchko, graduating with top marks. She refined her vocal technique through masterclasses dedicated to Baroque repertoire (Claudio Cavina, Rossana Bertini) as well as Lied and twentieth‑century vocal music (Eric Werba, Dorothy Dorow).

She made her debut in 1999 at the Teatro Real in Madrid under the direction of Jordi Savall, singing the roles of La Musica and Euridice in Monteverdi’s Orfeo. Since then, she has collaborated regularly with Hespèrion XXI and La Capella Reial de Catalunya, both directed by Savall, and since 2002 she has been a permanent member of Concerto Italiano under the direction of Rinaldo Alessandrini.

Piccinini has performed major roles in the Baroque repertoire: Valletto and Fortuna in Monteverdi’s L’incoronazione di Poppea, Amore in Cavalli’s La virtù degli strali d’amore, Claudia in Scarlatti’s Massimo Puppieno, Argene in Pergolesi’s L’Olimpiade, and Minerva and Fortuna in Il ritorno di Ulisse in patria. She has appeared in leading European theatres and festivals, including Teatro Malibran in Venice, Teatro Politeama in Palermo, and Teatro Colón in Salamanca, and has worked with conductors such as Fabio Biondi and Ottavio Dantone.

Her refined and versatile voice has allowed her to move with ease from sacred repertoire to musical theatre, performing with ensembles such as Accademia Bizantina, Europa Galante, Ensemble Aurora, Le Parlement de Musique, Al Ayre Español, and the Orquesta Barroca de Sevilla. She also teaches Renaissance and Baroque singing at the “Francesco Venezze” Conservatory in Rovigo.