Pietro Locatto: Classical Guitar Virtuoso and Educator
Pietro Locatto is a highly accomplished classical guitarist who received his musical education under the guidance of renowned masters such as Stefano Grondona, Frédéric Zigante, Oscar Ghiglia, and Lorenzo Micheli. His exceptional talent and dedication have been recognized with numerous scholarships and prestigious awards, including five Diplomi di Merito from the Accademia Musicale Chigiana in Siena.
As a student, Pietro was a scholar at the Associazione De Sono, where he excelled in international competitions, winning first prizes in various countries. Most notably, he won the Gianni Bergamo Music Award in Lugano in the competition’s only edition dedicated to the guitar. His early career was also marked by receiving the Golden Guitar award as a “young promise” at the Convegno Internazionale di Chitarra di Milano.
Performances and Collaborations
Pietro Locatto has performed as a soloist with prestigious orchestras, including the Orchestra Filarmonica Arturo Toscanini in Parma and the Orchestra Sinfonica d’Este in Ferrara, where he played iconic pieces such as Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez and Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s Concerto No. 1. He has been invited to perform at leading international festivals across Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Portugal, England, Croatia, Belgium, Greece, Australia, and Mexico. Notably, he performed at the Festival Spinacorona at the special invitation of pianist Michele Campanella.
Albums and Critical Acclaim
Pietro’s passion for Spanish guitar music from the early 20th century is reflected in his first monographic album featuring works by Federico Moreno Torroba (Stradivarius). His second album, focusing on the works of Llobet, Asencio, and Mompou, has received widespread acclaim from international critics, including praise from Rai Radio 3, American Record Guide, Discover Classical, Gendai Guitar, Guitar Classique, Musica, and Amadeus.
His collaborative project, Duo Evocaciones, with cellist Martina Biondi, explores the rich repertoire of Iberian composers like Cassadó, Albéniz, Granados, and De Falla. Additionally, Pietro contributed to the I Maestri della chitarra series, creating an album of Bach transcriptions from harpsichord, lute, and cello, published by Seicorde Magazine.
Teaching and Masterclasses
In addition to his performing career, Pietro Locatto is a dedicated music educator. In 2019, he was the only guitarist selected for a collaboration with the Teatro Regio of Turin. He currently teaches at the Conservatorio di Bergamo and serves as a visiting professor at the London Performing Academy of Music (LPMAM). Pietro is frequently invited to conduct masterclasses at various festivals and venues across Italy and internationally.
Instruments
Pietro Locatto plays guitars crafted by his father, Luigi Locatto, a talented luthier. Among his instruments is a guitar inspired by the 1904 Enrique Garcia model, famously played by Francisco Tárrega in his last concert, as well as a guitar derived from Francisco Simplicio’s designs.
