Want to Subscribe?
Sign In or Sign Up now!

"If David Bellugi had been a pianist or violinist he would undoubtedly be talked about as much as Pollini or Perlman ... Bellugi is not only an exceptional virtuoso but also an exceptional musician." This quote is from one of Italy's most important music critics confirming that David Bellugi has for years been considered one of the most captivating musical figures, both in Italy and internationally. Surrounded by his 'forest' of recorders, Bellugi — through his extroverted and communicative intelligence and curiosity — transforms his concerts into performances dense with musical surprises and discoveries.

Bellugi is not only an exceptional virtuoso on his instruments (ranging from the six-foot tall contrabass recorder to the fountain pen size sopranino) but he is also a superb artist who is not afraid to combine modern technology with the rigor of Classical training. As a U.S. music reviewer wrote, "Bellugi proves himself a true musician in the deeper matters of phrasing, structural shapeliness and style."

Born and raised in the USA, Bellugi graduated (Summa cum Laude) from the University of California at San Diego where he studied with flautist Bernhardt-Ambros Batschelet, composers Robert Erickson and Bernard Rands, harpsichordist Anthony Newman, conductor Thomas Nee and Bertram Turetzky (advisor for musicology) receiving a degree in Musicology. Introduced to music at a young age by his father, conductor Piero Bellugi, and largely self-taught on the recorder, he continued his studies of Early Music interpretation in Paris under the guidance of the luminary Antoine Geoffroy-Dechaume, a student of Early Music pioneer Arnold Dolmetsch. For the past 30 years he has been Full Professor of Recorder at the "Luigi Cherubini" Conservatory of Music in Florence, Italy, combining his teaching with performing, conducting, writing and innovative recordings.

Bellugi has performed extensively as soloist and as conductor/soloist with many orchestras and given recitals, concert lectures and master classes in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, England, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Portugal, Russia, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland and in the U.S.A. His engagements for the 2007/2008 season include performances and master classes in China, England, Italy, Russia and the U.S.A.

Bellugi has premiered various works written for and specifically dedicated to him by a wide range of contemporary composers Luciano Berio, Nuccio D'Angelo, Ugalberto de Angelis, Kamran Khacheh, Dan Locklair, Riccardo Luciani, Boris Porena, Carlo Prosperi and Giulio Viozzi and has recorded film music for Italian composer Ennio Morricone and American composer Michael Galasso.

Bellugi's discography includes his innovative CD "Landscapes" which has been described as "a technological and musical tour de force", many recordings made with the Berry Hayward Consort (Paris, France) as well as other highly innovative and spirited CDs with accordionist Ivano Battiston.