Vincenzo Zitello


Vincenzo Zitello is an Italian composer and harpist who specializes in Celtic music. He has released nine albums and composed music for the play The Beat Generation.

Career

Zitello is a composer, harpist, and concert artist. He started studying music at a very early age, playing the transverse flute and the viola. The first person to spread and pioneer the Celtic harp in Italy, from 1976, he dedicates himself to his musical studies, taking part in Breton cultural and musical seminars held at the "Ti Kendalc'h" with Dominig Bouchaud and Mariannig Larc’hantec. In 1978 he formsedthe harp and oboe duet with Roberto Mazza. In 1980 he specialised in the bardic harp and Celtic singing with Alan Stivell. In 1985 he formed the duet "ASCIARA" with Saro Cosentino and recorded a single produced by Franco Battiato and published by EMI, based on a traditional Irish piece sung in Gaelic, winning the "Vela D’Argento" in Riva Del Garda.
In 1987 "Stile Libero" Virgin released his first album, "ET VICE VERSA", entirely dedicated to compositions for the Celtic harp with metal strings. In 1988 he began recording his second album, "KERIGMA", released by Sony Music and presented at the "Premio Tenco" in Sanremo. In 1990, "Kerigma" is released in the USA, Canada and Australia by the recording label NARADA, under the title "Euphonia". In 1994 his third album, "La Via", was releaseded by D.D.D./BMG Ariola. In 1995 he wrote the music for the play "The Beat Generation", bringing out a CD with the actor Massimo Arrigoni and, on the occasion of the tribute to Fernanda Pivano in Conegliano Veneto, he accompanied the poet Allen Ginsberg in his reading.
In September 1995 he composed an ”Ave Maria" for Edizioni Paoline and presented it live, together with the singer Rossana Casale, in Loreto, in front of the Pope. The Ave Maria is included in a compilation of sacred music "Laudate Domini" released by C.G.D./Ed. In January 1996, the album "La Via" was released in Europe by the record company Live Music, distributed by B.M.G. Ariola under the title "SERENADE". In 1998 he created the CD entitled "AFORISMI D’ARPA", released by R.T.I. MUSIC. At Easter 2000, the magazine Famiglia Cristiana released 200,000 copies of the CD "Musica Caeli Concerto per il Giubileo", containing seven pieces of sacred music composed by Vincenzo Zitello and which, on various liturgical occasions, have been played in Saint Peter's Square in Rome, in front of the Pope. In April 2001, the record company FELMAY released the live CD "CONCERTO" by the TRIO of Vincenzo Zitello. In April 2002, his first CD "ET VICE VERSA" was released by the label FELMAY.
In 2003 the Sound Library of Parma released a recording made in its studios in 1997, entitled "Ottoarmonico". In 2005 the label TELENN released his sixth CD, "SOLO", played entirely on the Celtic and bardic harps and distributed by ITUNE Store throughout the world. In 2007 he released his seventh album, "ATLAS", sold online throughout the world by the Apple iTunes Store. In 2008 he contributed to Ivano Fossati's CD "Musica Moderna", and in 2009 to Beppe Barra's CD "N'attimo". In September 2009 he was awarded the Premio Benessere per la musica by the City of Ischia. In 2010 he collaborated with the classical harp class of the Conservatory of Parma, led by the teacher Emanuela Degli Esposti. In 2011 his eighth album "TALISMANO" was released, dedicated to the bardic harp and with twelve original compositions.
In 2013 he collaborated with the classical harp class of the Conservatory of Pesaro, led by the teacher Katia Bovo. In 2014, he released his ninth album - "INFINITO" - For harp and chamber orchestra dedicated to the seasons and the elements original compositions.

Discography