Francesco Stefanelli, born in 1999 was admitted at 15 years old to the Master of Arts in Music Performance at the “Conservatorio della Svizzera Italiana” in Lugano, in Enrico Dindo’s class. He recently graduated from the “Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia” in Rome with Giovanni Sollima

As recent winner of the Principal Cello position at “Orchestra della Fondazione Arena di Verona”, he performs as a soloist and in chamber music groups. He recorded David Fontanesi’s cello concerto with the Orchestra “I Virtuosi Italiani” for Da Vinci Classics.

He is winner of numerous Prizes at prestigious cello competitions such as: 2nd prize at the International Krzysztof Penderecki Cello Competition 2018, 3rd prize at “Belgrade International Jeunesses Competition 2022, 3rd Prize at “Rahn Music Prize” in Zurich 2018, 1st prize at the Antonio Janigro competition in Croazia 2016.

He has been guest as soloist and in duo with piano in important Festivals such as “Unione Musicale” in Turin, “Ente Concerti” in Pesaro, “Sagra Musicale Malatestana”, “Amici della Musica” in Firenze, “Amici della Musica” in Padova, “Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival”, “Accademia Filarmonica Romana”, “Solisti di Pavia”, “Fondazione Boccadoro” in Lugano, “Amici della Musica” in Verona, “Ceresio Estate Lugano”.

He is currently studying at the Escuela Superior de Musica Reina Sofia in Madrid with Jens Peter Maintz.