Simone Vallerotonda
Born in Rome in 1983, he began his musical studies on the classical guitar. Fascinated by ancient music, at 18 he bought a lute without even knowing how to play it. He thus began studying it with Andrea Damiani at the “Santa Cecilia” Conservatory in Rome, where he graduated with top marks. He subsequently obtained a Master's degree on theorbo and baroque guitar with top marks at the “Staatliche Hochschule für Musik” in Trossingen, under the guidance of Rolf Lislevand.

Simone Vallerotonda graduated in Philosophy with top marks from the “Tor Vergata” University of Rome and specialized in Aesthetics with top marks and honours, dedicating himself to the relationship between 18th century music and the Encyclopedists.

In 2011 he was the best classified, in the soloists section, at the “Maurizio Pratola” International Lute Competition and winner of the REMA (Rèseau Européen de Musique Ancienne) competition in the chamber music section.

He has played in the most prestigious theaters and halls in the USA, Australia, South America, South Africa, China, and throughout Europe, including: Carnegie Hall in New York, Sydney Conservatorium, Teatro de la Ciudad in Mexico City, Teatro Municipal of Santiago de Chile, Singapore Lyric Opera, Concertgebouw of Amsterdam, Wigmore Hall of London, Theater an der Wien, Theater des Champs Élysées of Paris, Casa da Musica of Porto, Liszt Academy of Budapest, Accademia Nazionale Santa Cecilia of Rome.

He has recorded for important radio and television broadcasters such as: RAI, ABC, BBC, Sky-Arte, Mezzo, France Musique, Radio4, Arte, Polskie Radio, Kulturradio, RSI, Radio Classica, Radio Vaticana and has recorded for Naïve, Sony, Erato , EMI, Decca, Amadeus, Brilliant, Aparthé, E Lucevan Le Stelle Records, Arcana.

In addition to his activity as a soloist, he collaborates as a continuum player with various ensembles including: Modo Antiquo, Rinaldo Alessandrini & Concerto Italiano, Imaginarium Ensemble, Cantar Lontano, Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, Ottavio Dantone & Accademia Bizantina

Open to experimentation and contamination, he played with Vinicio Capossela... but that's another beautiful story!

At 38 he was appointed as a lute teacher at the “A. Pedrollo” of Vicenza.

He is the founder of "I Bassifondi", his ensemble with which he offers the repertoire for guitar, theorbo and lute of the 17th and 18th centuries with the continuous bass.

He is supported by CIDIM – Italian National Music Committee, both as a soloist and with his ensemble.