Mario Rossi

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Mario Rossi (March 29, 1902, Rome - June 29, 1992, Rome) was an Italian conductor, noted for his solid and meticulous readings of the standard Italian repertory.

He studied in Rome, composition with Respighi and conducting with Setaccioli, graduating in 1925. He began his career as assistant conductor to Bernardino Molinari.

He was appointed resident conductor of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino in Florence (1937-46), where he conducted his first opera, Mascagni's Iris in 1937, and created Malipiero's Antonio e Cleopatra, in 1938.

He conducted in all the major opera houses of Italy, establishing himself in the standard Italian repertory but also taking part in many revivals of ancient works such as Galuppi's Il filosofo di campagana, Monteverdi's Il ritorno d'Ulisse in Patria, Piccinni's La buona figliuola, etc.

He became chief conductor of the orchestra of the RAI Torino from 1946 until 1969, and elevated this formation to an international level, making guest appearances in Brussels (1950), Vienna, (1951), and Salzburg (1952). Amongst his best executions; Il matrimonio segreto, Il barbiere di Siviglia, Don Pasquale, Un ballo in maschera, Otello, and Falstaff.