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 venues including  Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, The Kimmel Center, St. Bavo Kerk Haarlem, Gaudi's Casa Milà,  the Église de Saint Séverin in Paris, and more.

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

May 25, 2023

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

Raphael discusses his sensational new chamber opera inSOMNIA with Operawire.

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February 7, 2023

Quarantine Camp wins 2nd Prize in the 2023 NATS Art Song Composition Competition

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Featured Compositions

inSOMNIA

2021
/
Opera

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

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.

Remixes on a Theme by Handel

A musical guessing game disguised as a theme and variations for solo piano. The theme is one of Handel's most beloved melodies. Can you figure out which one it is before we reach the double bar line?

Due Poesie di Tonino Guerra

2022
/
Vocal

Due Poesie di Tonino Guerra features of settings of two of the Romagnolo poet's most famous poems. The two songs explore the expressive sound of air, our connection to the world around us and teaches us that wonders can happen if we believe in ourselves.

A lively player and fine improviser.

— MARK SWED - LOS ANGELES TIMES

Calendar

July 9, 2023

8:00pm

Lucca, Italy

La contesa canora

Raphael will conduct Opera Lucca in the world premiere of his new cantata La contesa canora on a historic libretto by Ottavio Rinuccini

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August 8, 2023

9:00pm

Sant'Agata Feltria, Italy

Le parole dei mesi

Teatro Angelo Mariani

Raphael will conduct the young artists of Classic Lyric Arts in the world premiere of Le parole dei mesi, a new work for mixed voices and piano on words by Tonino Guerra.

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10/06/23

16:30

Graz, Austria

ARTikulationen Festival

Kunstuniversität Graz

Raphael will present a lecture recital featuring his newest compositions and an exploration of his artistic research.

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Fusco led the orchestra with verve and precision.

— ZACHARY WOLF - THE NEW YORK TIMES
featured album

REMIXED

April 1, 2019

Classical structures, Jazz harmonies, Rock grooves, and lyric melodies bridge contemporary music to the past in Raphael Fusco's debut Album "Remixed."

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