Antonio Zanon

Antonio Zanon's (1921-2012) early musical training took place at the Liceo musicale in Verona under the guidance of Piero Bottagisio and Vittorio Zorzi, and he subsequently graduated in composition from the Conservatorio di Padova in 1958. At the same time as working as an elementary school teacher, he continued his activity in the field of musical composition, obtaining flattering placings in various competitions, including that for new operas in Recanati in 1964 and Loreto for sacred music in 1965. In 1968, his first opera, La leggenda di Giulietta (The Legend of Juliet), was performed at the Teatro Donizetti in Bergamo to great acclaim from the public and critics. His second opera, Un po' di arsenico non fa male a nessuno, was equally successful and was performed at the Teatro Morlacchi in Perugia in 1972. In 1972, he became a professor of composition at the Conservatory of Verona, a post he held until 1992. His musical production deals with the problems of contemporary musical language, and can be grouped as follows. Six operas: in addition to those mentioned above, Lo scrivano infelice; Una notte nel bosco; Due somarelli e un fantasma; Entità. Cantatas on religious themes; symphonic compositions; chamber compositions for various ensembles; lyrics for voice and piano; lyrics for voice and harp; music for piano (two files entitled Ricordi d'infanzia). In addition, six sonatas for organ; Fantasia and fugue for organ; Fantasia and fugue for organ and piano; various choral music, profane and religious, including Roma occupata on a text by Giuseppe Ungaretti. He has published with: Armelin; Carrara; the music magazine "Diastema", Eridania Editions, "Coro Valsella" Editions. He also wrote the theoretical text, the result of his teaching experience, Guida alla composizione modale ed extratonale, published by Carrara of Bergamo. His music has also been performed abroad, always receiving favourable reviews.