Nicolò Azzena is a rising Italian conductor with a strong foundation in the operatic repertoire, also trained as a pianist and répétiteur. A graduate in Orchestral Conducting from the G.B. Martini Conservatory in Bologna, he was awarded the prestigious Toboli Prize in 2021 as the conservatory’s top conducting student. He has established himself as a skilled assistant conductor at leading opera houses, including the Bayerische Staatsoper München, Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège, Teatro Lirico di Cagliari, and Semperoper Dresden, where he has collaborated with renowned conductors such as Giampaolo Bisanti, Andrea Battistoni, and Leonardo Sini.
Azzena has conducted a wide range of operatic works by Rossini, Verdi, Puccini, Donizetti, and Bizet, including Il Barbiere di Siviglia, La Traviata, Carmen, and Tosca. He has led performances with orchestras such as the Orchestra of the Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège, Bucharest Symphony Orchestra, Kyiv Symphony Orchestra, Berlin Sinfonietta, and I Musici di Parma. In 2025, he was selected as one of the top six semifinalists at the International Opera Conducting Competition at Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège. As a pianist, he holds a distinction from the A. Buzzolla Conservatory and won prizes in national and international piano competitions.
Reached semifinals of the International Opera Conducting Competition at Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège (2025).
Assistant conductor at Bayerische Staatsoper, preparing major opera productions under leading maestros.
Graduated in Orchestral Conducting from G.B. Martini Conservatory; awarded the Toboli Prize as top student (2021).
Worked as assistant conductor at Teatro Lirico di Cagliari, Grand Théâtre de Luxembourg, and Semperoper Dresden.
Conducted orchestras including Kyiv Symphony, Bucharest Symphony, Berlin Sinfonietta, and I Musici di Parma.
Active as solo pianist and répétiteur; winner of the “Città di Pesaro” International Piano Competition (2nd Prize) and Lanusei National Competition (1st & Virtuosity Prizes).
