Quartetto Sandro Materassi
The Sandro Materassi ensemble has been named after the celebrated violinist and teacher under whose guidance both the violinists of the ensemble studied. The quartet was founded in 1991 and made its début at Spoleto Festival in 1992. Since then it started a brilliant career, with regular appearances in the most renowned Italian concert societies (Rome, Florence, Milan, Palermo, etc.) and in Switzerland and South America.

Alberto Bologni (b. Prato, 9th december 1963), studied under the guidance of Sandro Materassi and graduated with full honour at Conservatorio Luigi Cherubini di Firenze. Later he studied with Stefan Gheorghiu and Ilja Grubert, taking the soloist degree at Rotterdams Conservatorium. He also studied quartet with Piero Farulli at Accademia Chigiana di Siena. He was prize winner at Viotti and Spohr Competitions.

Mr. Bologni began his career in 1979, after being awarded the Leonardo da Vinci prize in Florence. He played in duo with the pianist Giuseppe Bruno or as leader of Sandro Materassi string quartet and piano quintet in the most important concert halls and theatres in Italy, Germany, Switzerland, England and Venezuela (Carlo Felice di Genova, Pergola di Firenze, St. John Smith Square Hall in London, Gasteig and Herkulessaal in München, Manzoni di Milano, Caio Melisso di Spoleto Università di Roma, Bellini di Catania etc. etc.). As a soloist he played with such conductors as Bellugi, Bruggen, Dumbraveanu, Harrap, Maschat, Mihaescu, Pinzauti etc. He has been the leading concertmaster since its foundation of Camerata Strumentale Città di Prato, considered one of the best Italian chamber orchestras now operating.

Alberto Bologni recorded CD's for the labels such as Diapason, Arts, Tactus, Cristophorus and through the Materassi ensemble with Radio Svizzera Italiana and Radio Suisse Romande.