Alberto Zedda

Italian Opera Conductor and Scholar

Alberto Zedda was an esteemed Italian conductor and musicologist, renowned for his expertise in the operas of Gioachino Rossini. Born on January 2, 1928, in Milan, Zedda's career was marked by his scholarly approach to the performance of bel canto operas, which he both conducted and edited. He served as the artistic director of the Rossini Opera Festival in Pesaro, Rossini's birthplace, where he was instrumental in reviving many of the composer's lesser-known works. Zedda's contributions to the field included critical editions of Rossini's operas, which have been used by opera houses worldwide. His recordings of "La Cenerentola," "Otello," and "La Gazza Ladra" are particularly noted for their historical authenticity and musical precision. Zedda passed away on March 6, 2017, leaving behind a legacy as one of the foremost interpreters of Rossini's music.