Domenico Cimarosa

The Conservatory of Music “Domenico Cimarosa” of Avellino was established under decree No. 1178 of 18 December 1973, as the result of the strong determination and high political sensitivity that characterised the academic year 1971-1972.

Maestro Vincenzo Vitale was the first appointed director, and Maestro Ettore Maggio took up as the first chair. The Conservatory was initially housed in the majestic Palazzo Caracciolo in the historical area of Avellino, near the Cathedral. The building was partly in disrepair, so only 200 students were admitted out of the 850 who submitted an admission application. So many applicants had not been foreseen at all, and every effort was made to guarantee everyone the right to study. So, the Conservatory came to life, and soon became an important artistic and cultural reference point for the entire province.
In early years, Maestro Aladino di Martino, and Maestro Bruno Mazzotta succeeded each other as directors. The two artistic personalities gave a strong imprint to the Conservatory, which came to the forefront of the attention of the national and international musical and cultural scene thanks to their effort. Palazzo Caracciolo was almost destroyed by the earthquake in 1980, and from then onwards, the Conservatory embarked on a stormy journey.

With the establishment of the Higher Education in Art and Music (AFAM) sector, the Conservatory is now acknowledged a university institute just like other equivalent institutes in the rest of Europe. This is an important phase in the complex process of renewal and reforms that has the main objective of improving students’ university careers and their integration into the labour market. To this end, the ERASMUS programme is implemented through bilateral agreements with the aim of fostering the mobility of students and teachers, as well as staff training at other European institutions, such as Conservatorio Superior de Musica in Malaga (Spain), Conservatoire Regional de Dijon, Boulogne-Billancourte, Strasbourg (France), Voralberger Landeskonservatorium-Feldrkirch (Austria), Krakow, Lodz (Poland), Stockholm (Sweden). As a result of these important relations, the International Academic Orchestra of the Conservatory “Cimarosa” was set up in 2009, in collaboration with the students from the Conservatories of Dijon, Malaga, Athens and Krakow. The new Arena of the “Carlo Gesualdo” Theatre in Avellino was inaugurated with this ensemble. Moreover, agreements have also been sealed with important American universities and with the People’s Republic of China.
Also with regard to the educational activities, alongside the 131 courses of study implemented under the old regulation of the Italian university system, the new Level 1 and Level 2 courses are delivered, together with particularly innovative courses that are more in line with contemporary musical needs, such as Jazz Music, Electronic Music, Sound Technician, Fortepiano, Repetiteur and Korrepetitor, Historical, critical and analytical music disciplines, and Chamber Music.
In addition to its intensive educational and training activities, the Conservatory “Cimarosa” of Avellino is very much committed to artistic production and to the dissemination of musical repertoire.