Michele Tadini is the New Artistic Director of the Biennale Musica 2027
Hey travellers, Michele Tadini is the new artistic director of the Biennale Musica 2027.
He said: “I am deeply grateful and honored. In a life of work, learning, research, hypotheses, definitions, order and disorder, every composer/researcher questions music, its reasons, its needs. He seeks answers, questions himself, and develops beliefs about what to do and say. I am now being given confidence to give these thoughts concrete form. Along with gratitude I feel a strong sense of responsibility. What I say and do must not just be an expression of what I think is important, but must be important for the audience, for the music itself. This ambition, inseparable from a sense of responsibility, will accompany me in my choices and in the construction of a project that I now glimpse, but which will take shape through dialogue, work and collaboration with the entire Biennale” team.
Discover all the information in this post by Venice Insider Guide.
Michele Tadini is the New Artistic Director of the Biennale Musica 2027
Yes: Michele Tadini is the new artistic director of the Biennale Musica 2027. What to know?
- Composer and sound artist Michele Tadini has been appointed Artistic Director of La Biennale di Venezia's Music Department (Biennale Musica) for the 2027–2028 editions, succeeding Caterina Barbieri.
- His mandate covers the 71st and 72nd International Festival of Contemporary Music, with the first edition under his guidance-the 69th International Festival of Contemporary Music-scheduled for October 2 to 16, 2027 in Venice.
- Tadini brings a strong background in electroacoustic music, live electronics, multimedia projects, and education, positioning him to shape the future direction of contemporary music at the Biennale.
- The festival under Tadini is expected to continue its tradition of innovation, including commissions, world premieres, and recognition through awards such as the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement.
Michele Tadini's Appointment to Biennale Musica 2027–2028
Michele Tadini is the new artistic director of the Biennale Musica 2027, marking a pivotal moment for one of Europe's most important platforms for contemporary music. The Italian composer, sound designer, and researcher has been officially named to lead the Music Department for the 2027–2028 biennium, following the tenure of Caterina Barbieri, who directed the 70th festival under the theme "A Child of Sound."
The Biennale Board of Directors approved Tadini's appointment, a decision that covers two festival editions in line with the institution's recent practice for music directors. Tadini's term as Artistic Director covers the 2027–2028 period, during which he will oversee the 71st and 72nd editions of the International Festival of Contemporary Music.
La Biennale di Venezia is a prominent contemporary music festival in Europe, and its Music Department sits within a wider ecosystem of seven artistic sectors-Art, Architecture, Cinema, Dance, Music, Theatre, and Historical Archive. Tadini now leads the music sector within this structure.
Tadini's appointment reflects a focus on electronic music and technological innovation, consolidating the festival's artistic leadership and signalling a continued commitment to contemporary, experimental, and technologically driven music practices. His first full programme as director will debut in Venice in October 2027, maintaining the festival's traditional autumn dates and international scope.
Michele Tadini: Profile of the New Artistic Director
Michele Tadini is an Italian composer, sound designer, and educator known for electroacoustic and mixed-media works that bridge instrumental performance and electronic sound. Born in Milan in 1964, he has spent nearly four decades developing a practice that spans concert music, installations, theatre, dance, video, and interactive environments.
His training runs deep across multiple traditions. He studied guitar under Ruggero Chiesa at the Conservatorio "Giuseppe Verdi" in Milan, composition with Sandro Gorli and Giacomo Manzoni, and electronic music under Riccardo Sinigaglia. He also studied composition with Franco Donatoni at the Accademia Chigiana (Diploma di Merito, 1989), and in 1998 attended the IRCAM Autumn Program in Paris.
Key career highlights include:
- Prix Italia 2008 for the radio opera La Musica Nascosta (text by Tiziano Scarpa)
- A.R.T.S. Prize 2011 for La Terza Luce
- SIAE "Suona Italiano" Prize 2013 for Argot/Gergo, a work for eight double basses and electronics
Tadini has a strong background in electronic music and real-time interaction systems, with works that combine instrumental performance, live electronics, sound spatialization, and video projection. His catalog includes pieces for multi-channel electronic diffusion, interactive environments, and installations where sound, space, and visual elements are tightly integrated.
Tadini has held roles in several contemporary music institutions. Since 2009, he has served as Professor of mixed composition (instrumental and electronic) at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et Danse de Lyon. He coordinates IRMus (Istituto di Ricerca Musicale) in Milan and has taught at the Conservatorio di Como, Tempo Reale in Florence, and various masterclass programmes. Tadini emphasizes mentorship and education for emerging generations of artists, a commitment that will likely shape his approach to the festival's relationship with young composers and performers.
Tadini views music as a living interdisciplinary language-not a static art form confined to the concert hall, but a medium that connects sound, space, image, and technology. This perspective connects naturally to the Biennale's tradition of honoring innovation through awards such as the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement, and suggests his curatorship may spotlight both established pioneers and younger artists whose work could be recognized in the future.
FAQ
The following questions address common queries about Michele Tadini's role and the future Biennale Musica editions he will direct. Each answer covers practical information for readers-dates, programming, and how the appointment may affect visitors and artists.
When will Michele Tadini's first Biennale Musica edition take place?
His first full edition as Artistic Director is scheduled for autumn 2027 in Venice. The 69th International Festival of Contemporary Music is scheduled for October 2 to 16, 2027, following the established pattern of October festivals for contemporary music at La Biennale di Venezia. Detailed dates and the complete programme are typically announced several months in advance on the official La Biennale website and through its communication channels.
What changes can audiences expect under Michele Tadini's direction?
Audiences can expect a strong emphasis on electroacoustic and electronic music, innovative concert formats, and cross-disciplinary projects involving visual arts, theatre, or dance. Given that Tadini views music as a living interdisciplinary language, programming is likely to push beyond traditional concert settings into installations, immersive environments, and multimedia performances. He is also likely to expand educational and outreach activities, offering more encounters with composers, sound artists, and technologists for both professionals and curious newcomers.
Will the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement continue during his tenure?
The Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement is a long-standing award of Biennale Musica and is expected to continue during Tadini's tenure, honoring artists whose work has profoundly influenced contemporary music. Given his deep engagement with experimental and electronic practices, future lifetime achievement awards may highlight figures who have shaped these fields-though specific names will only be announced closer to each festival edition.
How can emerging artists participate in Biennale Musica 2027–2028?
Typical routes for participation include open calls announced by La Biennale di Venezia, collaborations with ensembles and academies, and invitations based on curatorial research and recommendations. Emerging artists should monitor the official Biennale channels, where guidelines, application deadlines, and any new initiatives introduced by Tadini will be published. His emphasis on mentorship and education for emerging generations suggests that pathways for younger artists may expand during his tenure.
Where can I find official updates about Michele Tadini's Biennale Musica programmes?
The most reliable source is the official La Biennale di Venezia website and its Music section, which publishes press releases, programme details, and ticketing information. Additional updates and behind-the-scenes content may appear on La Biennale's social media profiles and in episodes of the "La Biennale on Air" podcast, offering previews and interviews related to Tadini's projects.
Conclusion
So, you know all the information. Michele Tadini is the new artistic director of the Biennale Musica 2027 and we are happy. For summary:
- Michele Tadini - a man of music and sound - is a pretty big deal now : having just been appointed as the Artistic Director of La Biennale di Venezia's Music Department (Biennale Musica) for the 2027-2028 seasons, taking on the role that Caterina Barbieri left behind.
- His new gig covers the 71st & 72nd International Festival of Contemporary Music - and if you can believe it - the first festival under his watch is actually just a year earlier than that - the 69th International Festival of Contemporary Music - which is set to roll into town from October 2 to 16, 2027 in Venice.
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