Biography
Federico Bresciani is an Italian conductor and violist, and the Co-Founder, Artistic Director, and Conductor of the Nie | Romantyczni Orchestra in Gdańsk — the first ensemble in Poland dedicated to performing Romantic repertoire on historical instruments. Under his direction, the orchestra explores 19th-century Polish and European music through a historically informed lens, reviving forgotten works and reimagining the Romantic sound world for today’s audiences.
In 2025, Bresciani joined Kent Nagano as his Assistant at the Sinfonica Toscanini in Parma, continuing a collaboration that began with the Dresdner Festspielorchester, where he leads the viola section. With the Dresdner Festspielorchester, he took part in the landmark project of performing and recording Richard Wagner’s Ring Cycle on historical instruments under Nagano’s direction — a production developed in cooperation with musicologist Clive Brown. This experience profoundly shaped his understanding of 19th-century performance practice and its relationship to contemporary interpretation.
Federico is currently pursuing postgraduate conducting studies at the Technological University Dublin under David Brophy, Principal Conductor of the WDR Funkhausorchester and Former Principal Conductor of the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. Alongside his studies, he conducts chamber and orchestral ensembles across Europe, focusing on music from the Classical to early 20th-century repertoire.
As a violist, Federico serves as Solo Viola of the WDR Funkhausorchester in Cologne, where he also appears as a moderator and presenter for live concerts, as well as for educational and youth projects. His previous positions include Co-Principal Viola of the Frankfurt Opern- und Museumsorchester (2012–2017) and Solo Viola of the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen (2017–2020). He has also appeared as guest principal with leading orchestras such as the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, Gürzenich-Orchester Köln, and the SWR Symphonieorchester Stuttgart.
Over the course of his orchestral career, he has performed under many of the world’s most distinguished conductors, including Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Herbert Blomstedt, Andris Nelsons, Riccardo Muti, Daniele Gatti, Paavo Järvi, Krzysztof Penderecki, Gianandrea Noseda, Antonio Pappano, Lorin Maazel, and Sir Colin Davis, among others. These collaborations have deeply influenced his artistic development, shaping his musical insight and interpretative approach as both violist and conductor.
Concert Host & Moderator
In addition to his work as a performer and conductor, Federico Bresciani is an experienced and charismatic concert host and moderator, known for his ability to connect with audiences of all ages. At the WDR Funkhausorchester, he has hosted numerous concert series and stage productions, including interactive programs for families, educational projects for schools, and crossover formats linking classical music with film, games, and popular culture.
Bresciani’s exceptional communication skills, humour, and warmth make him a sought-after speaker for both young and adult audiences. He has collaborated with well-known German television personalities, bringing orchestral music to life for thousands of listeners in Cologne and beyond. His experience as both a performer and moderator allows him to bridge the gap between the stage and the audience — making classical music engaging, relatable, and inspiring.
Born in Sardinia, Bresciani graduated with highest honours in violin from the Cagliari Conservatory before continuing his studies at the Vienna Conservatory (MUK) with Florian Zwiauer and Gertrud Weinmeister, and at the ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra Academy.
Through his multifaceted career as conductor, violist, and presenter, Federico Bresciani bridges the worlds of historical insight, modern performance, and human connection — exploring how the music of the past can speak with renewed vitality to today’s audiences.