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Born in Taranto on September 13, 2003, Angelo Donzella discovered music at the age of ten by joining his middle school’s music ensemble. At eleven, he chose the saxophone and began his studies at the Municipal School of Music of Latisana (UD) under the guidance of M° Walter Cragnolin.
He continued his education at the “XXV Aprile” Music High School in Portogruaro (VE), where he graduated in 2022 under the instruction of Prof. Giuseppe Di Carlo. During this period, he distinguished himself in several national and international competitions, both as a soloist and in a saxophone–piano duo, while also serving as principal saxophonist of the school’s symphonic orchestra.
In 2022/23, Angelo was admitted to the “J. Tomadini” Conservatory in Udine, where he completed his Bachelor’s degree with highest honors in the class of M° Fabrizio Paoletti. He is currently pursuing advanced studies in saxophone performance and chamber music at the “Santa Cecilia” Conservatory in Rome with M° Enzo Filippetti.
Artistic Activity and Competitions
As a chamber musician, he refines his artistry as a member of the Naima Saxophone Quartet, with which he won 3rd Prize at the Palmanova International Chamber Music Competition. He is also the founder of the Duo Vigor (saxophone and piano), winner of 1st Prize at the “Renzo Iuri” Competition (2025).
He has performed at numerous festivals and concert series: ➤ Euromusic (France), in Vienna and Estrablien, with the Saxophone Ensemble of the Udine Conservatory
➤ Onde Musicali sul Lago d’Iseo (Iseo)
➤ Crocevia Festival (Gorizia) and Estate Tizianesca (Belluno) with the Naima Saxophone Quartet
➤ Concerti a Palazzo (Sacile) and Lignano per... la Musica! (Lignano Sabbiadoro) with the Duo Vigor
In 2024, he was selected to perform at the 3rd European Saxophone Congress (EurSax24) in Trento.
Among his distinctions: ➤ 1st Prize – 10th International Music Competition “Città di Scandicci”
➤ 1st Prize – 5th National Competition “Scuole in Musica” (Verona)
➤ 1st Prize – 3rd Young Musicians Competition “Renzo Iuri”
➤ 4th Prize – International Competition “My Favourite Saxophone” (Empoli), chaired by M° Mario Marzi
Collaborations and Engagements
He regularly collaborates with wind orchestras such as the Wind Orchestra of the Udine Conservatory and the “G. Verdi” Civic Wind Orchestra of Trieste. Since 2025, he has been a member of the Fanfare of the Voluntary Military Corps of the Italian Red Cross in Florence.
Always striving for artistic growth, he has attended masterclasses with internationally renowned saxophonists including Valentin Kovalev, Sergey Kolesov, Vincent David, as well as prominent Italian masters such as Gaetano Di Bacco, Enzo Filippetti, Fabrizio Mancuso, Jacopo Taddei, Salvatore Miceli, and Marina Notaro. He has also trained with the Accademia Saxophone Quartet, Saxofollia, and the Satin Saxophone Quartet.
Currently, Angelo Donzella teaches saxophone at the Cecilia Deganutti Institute in Latisana.
