Valerio Contaldo

Valerio Contaldo is an Italian-born tenor who grew up in Switzerland's canton of Valais. Initially trained as a classical guitarist in Sion and Paris, he later focused on vocal studies with Gary Magby at the Lausanne Conservatory, earning a concert diploma. He has built a strong reputation as a specialist in Baroque music and sacred repertoire, performing under renowned conductors such as Rinaldo Alessandrini, Leonardo García Alarcón, Iván Fischer, and William Christie. Contaldo has appeared in major European festivals and prestigious concert venues including Carnegie Hall in New York, Musikverein in Vienna, and opera houses like the Opéra de Paris and the Grand Théâtre de Genève. His notable roles include Orfeo in Monteverdi’s *L’Orfeo* and the title role in Monteverdi’s *Il Ritorno d'Ulisse in Patria*. His extensive discography features acclaimed recordings of Monteverdi’s *L’Orfeo*, Bach's *Mass in B minor*, and Fux's *Dafne in Lauro*.

Active internationally, Contaldo is admired for his versatility and expressive singing in both operatic and concert settings, with a repertoire spanning from early Baroque to works by Mozart, Haydn, Rossini, and Frank Martin. He is a finalist of the Leipzig Bach Competition (2008) and has enriched his artistry through masterclasses with prominent figures like Christa Ludwig and Julius Drake. His performances are regularly broadcast on European radio stations and recorded for labels such as Alpha, Claves, and Naïve.