Rising Stars: Meet Florangela D’Elia of Terlizzi (Bari) Italy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Florangela D’Elia.

Hi Florangela, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My artistic journey began with the discovery of the violin at the age of five. I still vividly recall the thrill of being admitted to the “Niccolò Piccinni” Conservatory in Bari at just eight years old. I was among the youngest students—a distinction that would often define my early career. By thirteen, I was already performing within the ranks of the Conservatory’s Symphony Orchestra, seated among professors and students far senior to myself.

This early promise evolved into a rigorous path of academic and professional excellence. At seventeen, I attended the Stauffer Center for Strings in Cremona, where I earned a “Management Lab” certificate under the tutelage of Cindy Hwang (Founder and President of Inpulse Creatives) and Jacob Shaw (Founder and Director of the Scandinavian Cello School). By eighteen, I had achieved the International Certification from the St. Cecilia School of Music with honors (100/100 cum laude) and obtained my First Level Academic Diploma with highest honors, studying under Maestro Carmine Scarpati.

Refining my technique has always been a paramount objective. To this end, I have participated in masterclasses with esteemed musicians, including: Cristiano Rossi, Vincenzo Bolognese, Alessandro Milani, Giovanni Angeleri, Salvatore Lombardo, Carlo Maria Parazzoli, Ivan Rabaglia, Gabriele Ceci, and Simone Gramaglia.

Currently, my studies have reached an extraordinary new chapter in Milan. It is a profound privilege to refine my artistry at the “Giuseppe Verdi” Conservatory under the guidance of Maestra Laura Gorna, whose mentorship deeply inspires my creative growth. My solo practice is enriched by intensive orchestral collaborations with ensembles such as the Milan Conservatory Orchestra, the Collegium Musicum, and the Federiciana Symphony Orchestra.

I approach the future with an outward-looking perspective. I have dedicated myself to linguistic studies, graduating a year ahead of schedule via the “Abbreviazione per Merito” (Art. 13, D.Lgs. 62/2017) with top marks from the “Sylos-Fiore” Linguistic Lyceum in Terlizzi, under the leadership of Principal Prof. Anna Maria Allegretta. I subsequently attained a C2 Certification in English, driven by the conviction that modern musicians must broaden their horizons and engage with the international stage and foreign academies. I am fluent in four languages: Italian, English, Spanish, and French.

At nineteen, as a student at the Milan Conservatory, I completed a monographic course on Giacomo Puccini: the “Presto all’Opera!” Laboratory led by Maestro Fabio Sartorelli, musicologist and lecturer at the Teatro alla Scala Academy. This exceptional experience sparked a deep passion for musical outreach and education.

Today, at twenty years old—balanced between the exquisite voice of my 1966 Marino Capicchioni violin and the responsibility of serving as Artistic Director of the “OperaInMusica City of Terlizzi – Homage to the Great Composers” Festival—I strive to act as a bridge between tradition and the future, ready to bring my music wherever there is a story to be told.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Looking back, I do not see insurmountable obstacles; instead, I see a constant: dedication. I firmly believe that throughout my journey, the true challenge has been, and remains, the daily commitment to my instrument. I have adopted Niccolò Paganini’s famous maxim as my own: “If I do not practice for one day, I know it; if I do not practice for two days, the public knows it.”

This is a fundamental truth that I explored deeply in my thesis for my First Level Academic Diploma at the Bari Conservatory and one that I apply every single day. The violin demands unwavering discipline and a profound passion for every new score one encounters.

I consider myself a profoundly fortunate musician. My path has been illuminated by teachers who did not merely impart technique, but instead shared their lived experiences and wisdom. To have mentors who believe in you and possess the ability to transfer their expertise is the greatest gift a young artist can receive. It is thanks to them that I fall more in love with the voice of the violin every day, as they have transformed the rigor of practice into a journey of continuous discovery.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
In addition to my activities as a soloist, my artistic journey is deeply enriched by the orchestral dimension, a field in which I take immense pride. I am honored to serve as the associate principal of the first violin section of the Federiciana Symphony Orchestra, an experience that allows me to grow continuously under the prestigious artistic direction of Maestra Sara Allegretta and the baton of Maestro Benedetto Grillo. For me, performing in an orchestra means learning the value of cohesion and active listening—elements that subsequently resonate within every other project I undertake.

However, there is a particular achievement that currently brings me exceptional joy: the Artistic Direction of the OperaInMusica City of Terlizzi Festival. This project is the culmination of a vision close to my heart—the belief that opera should not be reserved for a select few, but should be a heritage accessible to everyone, especially since its recognition by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Drawing inspiration from the musical outreach laboratory I attended at the Milan Conservatory with Maestro Fabio Sartorelli, I conceived a festival that breaks down traditional barriers. In Terlizzi, I created an immersive experience that goes beyond music alone, incorporating multimedia presentations, animations, and the narration of behind-the-scenes stories, anecdotes, and personal correspondences that make the great composers incredibly compelling. Thanks to the collaboration with the Pro Loco, the Municipality, the Puglia Region, and the Parish of Santa Maria della Stella, along with the talent of all the musicians and actors involved, I have brought to the stage a fresh and interactive narrative.

My objective is to engage a diverse audience, demonstrating that opera can be entertaining, contemporary, and accessible. This is my mission: to preserve the beauty of our musical tradition while speaking the language of the modern world.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The fundamental lesson I carry in my heart is the realization that an artist is, above all, the result of the encounters that define their history. Teachers truly represent the difference between a technically correct performance and an interpretation that vibrates with life.

Studying with Maestra Laura Gorna at the Milan Conservatory means, for me, drawing from a wealth of wisdom that blends technical rigor with artistic sensitivity. Her guidance is a gift; she has taught me to ground my study and discipline in critical listening and a constant search for beauty and truth. Her insights are the pillars upon which I build, day by day, my identity as a violinist.

The Maestra Laura Gorna does not merely guide my hands; she educates my sensibility, providing me with the tools to navigate the challenges of both the profession and life. Every time I take up my violin or face a significant artistic decision, her example serves as the compass that directs my every step.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/florangela_d.elia/