Simone Vallerotonda

Born in Rome in 1983, he started studying the classical guitar. At age 18, deeply in love with early music, he had lute tuition at the "Santa Cecilia" Conservatory in Rome, where he graduated with the highest marks. He subsequently obtained a Master's Degree in theorbo and Baroque Guitar at the "Staatliche Hochschule für Musik" in Trossingen with Rolf Lislevand, also with the highest marks. Once again with full honours, he graduated in Philosophy at the "Tor Vergata" University of Rome. In 2011, he won the International Lute Competition "Maurizio Pratola" as soloist, and REMA Competition in the chamber music section. He plays in Europe, USA, Australia, South America, Asia. He has recorded for major Radio and TV such as RAI, ABC, BBC, Mezzo, France Musique, Radio4, RSI, Radio Classica, Vatican Radio, as well as for the labels Naïve, Sony, Erato, EMI, Decca, Amadeus, Brilliant, Aparté, E Lucevan Le Stelle Records, Arcana. As soloist he recorded “Giovanni Zamboni – l’ultimo romano” He collaborates with various ensembles including: Accademia Nazionale Santa Cecilia, L’Arpeggiata, Imaginarium Ensemble. He teaches Lute at the "A. Scontrino" Conservatory of Music in Trapani- In 2014 he founded "I Bassifondi", his own proprietary ensemble offering a 17th-18th century repertoire for guitar, theorbo and lute with continuo. Their debut album "Alfabeto falso” was nominated in the ICMA 2018 (International Classical Music Award) among the best baroque instrumental records.