Musikfestpianoduo

Musikfestpianoduo
Carlo Benatti,Anna Caporaso

Carlo Benatti
Born in Mantua, Carlo Benatti graduated with full marks from the “Lucio Campiani” Conservatory of Music in his hometown, earning diplomas in Piano, Organ, Gregorian Chant and Organ Composition, Choral Music and Choir Conducting, and Vocal Chamber Music with a focus on the Lied repertoire for piano.

He pursued further studies at the Diocesan School of Brescia, the Ambrosian Academy of Chamber Music in Milan, the Accademia Chigiana in Siena, the “Hugo Wolf” School in Acquasparta, as well as in Munich and Monza.
As a performer, he has appeared extensively both in Italy and abroad—particularly as an organist, but also as a pianist, choral conductor, and orchestral musician—with concerts in France, Germany, Latvia, Spain, Austria, Poland, Croatia, the United States, and Russia. His concert activity remains intense to this day.
He has published works with several renowned music publishers, including Bardon Enterprises, Carrara, and Eridania. He has also recorded multiple albums as both organist and pianist, some of which represent world premiere recordings, released by such labels as Bongiovanni (Bologna), La Bottega Discantica (Milan), BAM, and Rainbow.
One of his recordings, Mater Dulcissima—featuring sacred music for voice (with bass Frano Lufi) and organ—was dedicated to healthcare workers for their sacrifice and dedication during the COVID-19 emergency.
An advocate for the musical heritage of Mantua, he served as artistic director of the “Organi Storici Mantovani” festival and as a collaborator for the “Ottobre Organistico” concert series in Mantua. He was also a member of the Cultural Association “Friends of the Conservatorio Lucio Campiani.”
He collaborates with the SIMC Festival (Italian Society for Contemporary Music), the Manto Quartet, and is the founder of the MusikFestPianoDuo.
He is currently professor of Practical Skills for Accompaniment for Pianists and Repetiteurs at the “E. Dall’Abaco” Conservatory in Verona, and has previously worked as a vocal coach and accompanist in the voice departments of numerous conservatories across Italy.

Anna Caporaso
Anna Caporaso earned her piano diploma from the “Morlacchi” Conservatory in Perugia and a diploma in Music Pedagogy from the “O. Respighi” Conservatory in Latina. In 2008, she completed her second-level academic degree in Musical Disciplines with a specialization in Chamber Music, graduating with highest honours and distinction under the guidance of M° Luciano Cerroni at the “G. Braga” Music Institute in Teramo.
At the same institution, she earned with honours a degree from the BI.FOR.DOC. programme (Biennial Training for Teaching Qualifications) for the AJ77 ranking class (Piano), and also obtained a second-level academic diploma in Musical Disciplines with a specialization in Piano, again with the highest honours and distinction.
In 1999, she was awarded First Prize at the Fivizzano International Festival (Massa Carrara) in the chamber music category.
She has an active career as a concert pianist and harpsichordist, performing in a variety of chamber music ensembles with both public and critical acclaim. Among the institutions and venues where she has performed are: the Cantiere Internazionale d'Arte of Montepulciano, Teatro Fara Nume in Ostia (Rome), the Museum of Musical Instruments in Rome, the Seraphicum Auditorium, Palazzo Chigi in Ariccia, the Catholic University of Rome, Teatro Manzoni in Pistoia, the Archaeological Park of the Theatre of Marcellus (Rome), and the Friends of the Loggione of Teatro alla Scala, among others.
In parallel with her performance activities, she has pursued a strong commitment to teaching.
She composed both music and libretto for the short opera Le tre carte, inspired by Pushkin’s tale The Queen of Spades. The work was staged at the Conservatory of Mantua, Teatro Bibiena (Mantua), and Teatro “Verdi” in Buscoldo (Mantua).
Since 2017, she has been a permanent member of the MusikFestPianoDuo, performing alongside Carlo Benatti. The duo has developed a rich and often research-driven repertoire, supported by an active concert schedule.
She currently holds the position of Piano Chair at the “L. B. Alberti” Middle School with a musical curriculum in Mantua. Until the academic year 2023/2024, she also served as Piano Instructor in the advanced-level foundational courses at the “L. Campiani” Conservatory in Mantua.