Antonio Pellegrino

I am an Italian cellist with a strong interest in historical performance practice, working across early and contemporary repertoire. My approach combines historically informed interpretation with a strong focus on improvisation, seeking expressive freedom while remaining closely connected to the stylistic, structural, and historical context of the music.

I began my studies at the Conservatory of Cosenza and later continued my training through an Erasmus program at the University of Stavanger. I earned a Master’s degree in Performance in Lugano, Switzerland, where I studied with Enrico Dindo, and further developed my artistic path with Giovanni Gnocchi at the Royal Philharmonic Academy of Bologna. In 2022, I was awarded the Fulbright Scholarship, which allowed me to pursue advanced studies in the United States with a focus on contemporary music. More recently, in 2025, I completed a Master’s degree in Historical Cello Performance at the Royal Conservatoire of The Hague, studying with Lucia Swarts.

Over the years, I have had the opportunity to work with inspiring musicians in the early music field, including Alfredo Bernardini, Amandine Beyer, Richard Egarr, Ton Koopman, Bruno Cocset, Clive Brown, and Fabio Bonizzoni. I have also participated in academies and festivals such as Urbino Musica Antica, the Bremen Music Festival, Bertinoro Festival, Académie Gli Incogniti, and Festival Oude Muziek Utrecht, which have been central to shaping my musical outlook.

I was a prizewinner at the Boccherini Competition in Lucca and have received several international chamber music awards. In 2024, my trio was awarded first prize at the Internationaler Kammermusikwettbewerb “À Tre,” along with a special prize to perform in the Schlosskonzerte Bad Krozingen series. In 2025, I won first prize at the Early Music Vancouver Emerging Artist Competition together with keyboardist Agata Sorotokin.

Recent projects include collaborations with Kati Debretzeni, the Orchestra of the 18th Century, and Michael Chance at the Royal Conservatoire of The Hague, as well as work with Maarten Engeltjes and PRJCT Amsterdam. I performed at festivals such as Oude Muziek Utrecht, Musikfestspiele Potsdam Sanssouci, the York Early Music Festival, the Bremen Music Festival and Urbino Musica Antica, with my beloved ensembles I Mastricelli and Trio Tenorizans.

In 2025, I toured with the European Union Baroque Orchestra, performing across Europe and collaborating with amazing artists. Such us Shunske sato, Enrico Onofri and Dorothee Oberlinger.