Raphael Fusco

Composer, keyboardist, conductor

Italian-American composer, keyboardist, and conductor Raphael Fusco has been hailed by the international press as “accomplished and winning" (The New York Times) and “one of the most outstanding composers of his generation" (El Mundo).

His genre-crossing compositions for voice, chamber ensembles, orchestra, and theater engage audiences with soaring melodies,  energetic rhythms, colorful harmonies, and rich textures. He has collaborated with leading artists and ensembles such as GRAMMY Award winning saxophonist Branford Marsalis, Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, American Ballet Theater, Martha Graham Dance Company and members of the New York Philharmonic and Metropolitan Opera Orchestras in prestigious venues across the world.

As an artistic-researcher Raphael's work investigates intermediality, expressive agency and the role of empathy in vocal composition. His interdisciplinary research synthesizes concepts from linguistics, performance practice, aesthetics and psychology to explore the expressive power of song.

Raphael's music is published by Verlag Ries & Erler in Berlin and Universal Edition in Vienna.

One of the most outstanding composers of his generation.

— MATIAS NESPOLO, EL MUNDO

Latest News

October 1, 2023

"It's A Long Way" wins 1st Prize

In the 2023 Phoenix Boys Choir New Works Rising Competition

Read More
May 25, 2023

"Fusco is a leader in the world of opera today"

Raphael discusses his sensational new chamber opera inSOMNIA with Operawire.

Read More

Featured Compositions

inSOMNIA

2021
/
Opera

This sensational chamber opera draws the audience into an imaginary realm, blurring the line between dreams and reality.

Un'alma innamorata

2022
/
Vocal

Un’alma innamorata (“A soul in love”) is a cantata for counter-tenor and baroque ensemble on an 18th-century text attributed to Abbé Francesco Mazziotti originally set by G. F.Handel. The piece fuses Jazz, Blues, Spirituals and Neapolitan Song with Baroque structures to relate the timeless message of an anonymous lover who comes to terms with the pains of their fidelity. In the end the moral of the story: “He who wishes to delight in love must first learn how one goes about loving.”

Le parole dei mesi

2023
/
Choral

A madrigal for SATB choir a cappella on a text by Tonino Guerra which captures the sounds, scents, and tastes of the Italian countryside

Quarantine Camp

2022
/
Vocal

A cycle of six songs on poems by Ryan Vine which explore the surreal experience of life under lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic.  *Awarded 2nd Prize in the 2023 NATS Art Song Composition Competition

La contesa canora fra le Pieridi e le Muse (The Singing Contest between the Pierides and the Muses)

2022
/
Opera

Arrogance battles virtue in this cantata about the legendary singing competition between the Muses and the Pierides. Ovid himself narrates while a cast of 21 singers reenacts the events of that fateful day. In the end the winners are crowned and all join in an epic, foot-stomping fugue.

An American Requiem

2022
/
Choral

Written after a series of mass shootings throughout the United States, and revised during the COVID-19 pandemic, this powerful oratorio fuses different styles from Gospel and Blues to Renaissance counterpoint and Romanticism. This original adaptation of the traditional Requiem text in English offers a message of hope and salvation for dark times.

A lively player and fine improviser.

— MARK SWED - LOS ANGELES TIMES

Calendar

March 25-29, 2024

New York City

Manhattan School of Music Bach Week

a week of masterclasses for singers and pianists

Raphael will give masterclasses to the talented students of MSM on early music performance practice, bel canto singing, and basso continuo accompaniment

Read More

May 10, 2024

at 7:00PM

Mesa, Arizona

Phoenix Boys Choir

Mesa Arts Center

The GRAMMY-AWARD winning Phoenix Boys Choir will give the world premiere of "It's A Long Way" under the direction of Herbert Washington. The piece was awarded 1st prize in the New Works Rising Composition Competition

Read More

May 11, 2024

at 3:00 PM

Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix Boys Choir

Orpheum Theatre

The GRAMMY-AWARD winning Phoenix Boys Choir will give the world premiere of "It's A Long Way" under the direction of Herbert Washington. The piece was awarded 1st prize in the New Works Rising Composition Competition

Read More

May 12, 2024

at 11:00 AM

New York City

Hail Thee, Festival Day!

Church of St. Ignatious Loyola

The world premiere of a new, festive anthem for SATB choir and the grand Mander organ

Read More

May 24, 2024

Graz, Austria

Lange Nacht der Forschung

University of Graz

During this "long night of research" Raphael will present his most recent artistic research findings which explore the expressive potentiality of operatic voices through composition.

Read More

June 25-July 7, 2024

Lucca, Italy

Composers Institute at Opera Lucca

An intensive composition program focused on writing for operatic voices and working with texts

Read More

Fusco led the orchestra with verve and precision.

— ZACHARY WOLF - THE NEW YORK TIMES
featured album

Un'alma innamorata

February 14, 2024

The cantata fuses Jazz, Blues, Spirituals and Neapolitan Song with Baroque textures and structures to relate the timeless message of an anonymous lover who comes to terms with the pains of their fidelity. In the end the moral of the story: “He who wishes to enjoy life must first learn how to love.”

SEE album details

“Fusco can do it all, from whisper quiet to percussive and lush, allowing the sound to truly take flight.”

All About Jazz

Press