Nino Belfiore

Born in Catania in 1929, he began his violin studies under Maestro Caruso and studied harmony with Maestro Librizzi at the Vincenzo Bellini Music School (now Conservatory) in the city, then located within the Teatro Massimo V. Bellini of Catania. He continued his musical training at the San Pietro a Maiella Conservatory in Naples, where he earned his viola diploma with distinction.

From a young age, he developed a passion for composition, nurtured through lessons with Maestro Pastura, who introduced him to a musical language that seamlessly blended tradition with innovation. Alongside this, he embarked on a long and distinguished career as a musician, serving as the principal violist in the orchestra of the Teatro Bellini in Catania. This commitment would see him in a prominent role for over forty years, significantly contributing to the orchestra's artistic quality until his retirement.

Maestro Belfiore skillfully combined his performance career—both as an orchestral musician and as a chamber musician in esteemed ensembles—with a deep dedication to teaching. For years, he was a guiding figure for viola students at the Conservatory of Catania, imparting not only technical skills but also a profound love for the musical arts. Although he never formally studied composition at an academic level, he continued composing with passion and sincerity, describing himself as a "naïve composer."

His works are distinguished by harmonic and melodic simplicity, reflecting a genuine sonic exploration more focused on the creation of captivating tonal blends than on elaborate harmonic structures. His music, marked by delicacy and transparency, conveys an intimate sensitivity that draws in listeners, making his compositions an authentic expression of his artistic spirit.