NORINO BUOGO

Born in Palermo, Norino Buogo showed from an early age a decisively keen interest in music. His father, the famous concert pianist and composer Marcello Buogo, recognised his son's talents and encouraged him to study piano and violin.
At the age of eleven Norino began composition classes under the guidance of Maestro Pietro Ferro. He graduated in both composition and piano with a first class honours degree before embarking on a hugely successful musical career. In 1966 he won the chair of music theory at the 'Conservatorio Vincenzo Bellini' in Palermo where he taught until 2008.
A prolific composer, whose works include the excellent Sinfonietta for strings, Sixteen divertimenti for pianoforte and saxophone, a variety of piano pieces, some of which are for four hands and 'Christmas Songs' for mixed voices and small chamber orchestra, he has also transcribed pieces from the Sicilian folk repertoire for chamber orchestra, giving this beautiful but often overlooked genre a modern interpretation.
As well as teaching, composing and performing, Norino has instigated and promoted many musical projects and initiatives. An example of his achievements is the establishment of the 'Cantori Nuovi', a choral academy, which since its beginnings has produced artists of the highest quality.
All this has contributed to make Norino Buogo an inspiring figure and an important reference point for many of the young musicians representing Sicily on the national and international music scene today.