ON THE BRIDGE Ensemble

ON THE BRIDGE Ensemble was born in 2019 as an educational project of Stefano Cerrato’s teaching class.

Its members are young career musicians that come from different musical backgrounds, all with a lot of experience in chamber music. The ensemble has debuted for the prestigious International Music Festival in Portogruaro (Venice).

STEFANO CERRATO won prestigious international competitions and performed as soloist and chamber music player (also with the prizewinning Trio Caravaggio) in Europe, Africa, Brazil, USA, Korea and Japan, collaborating with famous musicians and conductors. He worked as principal cellist with important orchestras as La Scala in Milan, La Fenice in Venice and A. Toscanini in Parma. He is the principal cellist of Armoniosa, a chamber group specialized in historically informed performance on period instruments. He recorded for the labels Contrastes, MDG, Rubicon Classics and Reddress.

EMANUELE RIGAMONTI graduated in cello and chamber music with honors at the Como Conservatory in the classes of G. Boselli, P. Beschi and F. Valli. Moreover, he studied with E. Bronzi, A. Scacchi and currently with S. Cerrato, P. Maurizzi, Trio di Parma, I. Zats and Trio Atos. He is the cellist of Trio Rigamonti, Eurythmia Quartet and Achrome Ensemble. He is a Da Vinci artist.

BENEDETTA GIOLO graduated with honors at the Como Conservatory under the guidance of D. Bogni. She won the auditions as principal cellist of Orchestra dei Conservatori della Lombardia e del Ticino and as principal and second cellist of Orchestra Giovanile Italiana. She has participated in masterclasses held by G. Sollima, P. Beschi, M. Chen and G. Gnocchi. She is currently studying with S. Cerrato.

SIMONE CEPPETELLI after obtaining the bachelor degree in cello at the Modena Conservatory, he graduated in chamber music with honors at the Piacenza Conservatory in the class of M. Decimo. He attended masterclasses held by E. Bronzi, S. Cerrato, G. Gnocchi, J. Arp and G. Rivinius. He is currently studying with L. Magariello and P. Bonomini. He collaborates with Orchestra L. Cherubini.

SARA MERLINI graduated with full marks at the Bologna Conservatory under the guidance of A. Mostacci. She also studied with G. Déri at F. Liszt Academy in Budapest and currently with M. Prandi at Accademia del Ridotto in Pavia and S. Cerrato. She worked with Tiroler Festspiele Orchesterckademie in Erl for two years. She has been a member of Orchestra Senzaspine since 2015.

MATTEO VERCELLONI after studying at the Novara Conservatory with A. Drufuca, he graduated at the Milan Conservatory with M. Ronchini. Moreover, he studied with G. Scaglione, G. Gnocchi, and R. Filippini. He collaborates with Orchestra Città di Vigevano, Orchestra A. Vivaldi and Orchestra da Camera Canova. He recorded for the label 19’40’’.

ALESSANDRO BRUTTI graduated with full marks at the Mantua Conservatory under the guidance of M. Zante. He was a member of Orchestra Giovanile Italiana and since 2017 he has been working with Orchestra L. Cherubini. He attended masterclasses held by A. Zanin, G. Gnocchi and S. Cerrato. He’s currently studying with D. Scarpa at S. Cecilia Musical Foundation in Portogruaro.

VITTORIO ZELOCCHI is studying at the Modena Conservatory in the class of A. Andriani and at Dedalo Music School in Novara with S. Cerrato. He attended masterclasses held by E. Bronzi and D. Scarpa (at S. Cecilia Musical Foundation in Portogruaro), G. Boselli, V. Paternoster, P. Andriotti, and M. Montore. In 2018 won the audition as principal cellist of Orchestra Giovanile della Via Emilia.