The artistic personality of Leone Magiera is certainly one of the most original and many-sided in the italian and international music scenario of the last decades.
Born in Modena, he began playing piano at the age of twelve, improving his skills with Lino Rastelli, Giorgio Vidusso and Alberto Mozzati. Upon graduating with honours and special mention at the Parma College of Music, he threaded many other musical paths, branding each one with his strong and original personality.
Collaborator of maestros like Giulini, Abbado, Solti, Kleiber and von Karajan, with whom he had the most intense artistic relation; conductor of about fifty operas in theatres all over the world; piano accompanist for chamber recitals of nearly all world-known opera singers; artistic director in theatres like La Scala and Maggio Musicale Fiorentino; writer of music books for Ricordi Publishing, singing teacher at G.B. Martini College of Music in Bologna, Glyndebourne and Salzburg Festivals. With Luciano Pavarotti, his friend and pupil since the very beginning, he bonded deeply, both humanly and artistically: in more than forty years they worked together on more than a thousand events, with Magiera featuring as conductor and pianist.
In spite of this intense and impressive activity, Leone Magiera has always been faithful to his passion for piano and in the last years he has returned to his origins performing as solo pianist and showing unique brightness in technique and impressing performing profundity.
His wide discography as conductor and as solo pianist, published by one of the most important international record company, attests the versatility and the exceptional nature of his talent.
Since a few years he is back as solo pianist, his original passion, displaying extraordinary virtuosity and musicality endowment.
Refined and exceptional pianist, he has accompanied the greatest singers as solo or duo pianist, performing in all the major international theatres and festivals.
He has wielded a large influence, artistically and technically, not only on three of the greatest opera singers (Mirella Freni, Luciano Pavarotti, Ruggero Raimondi), but also on a multitude of pupils who succeeded in having brilliant careers in music. Amongst these we must mention Carmela Remigio.
Magiera belongs to that rare kind of musicians who are able to transmit their own technical and performing skills to generations of singers.
At a young age, he became regular professor in Vocal Studies at G.B. Martini College of Music of Bologna, where he taught for more than 30 years.
Herbert von Karajan considered him the greatest expert in the Italian, French and Mozartian opera repertoire. For many years von Karajan demanded that international artists and talented singers studied operas with Magiera before making their debut on stage at the Salzburg Festival, where he had Magiera to work for long periods.