Claudio Casolino is an Italian cellist based in Switzerland, active internationally with a particular focus on historically informed performance and chamber music.
He performs regularly across Europe as both a soloist and chamber musician. He is a founding member of the award-winning Aliis Trio, which won first prize at the Big Little Music Competition in Ghent in 2023. Between 2022 and 2023, Claudio was selected as a cellist in the Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester, performing in some of Europe’s most prestigious venues, including the Felsenreitschule in Salzburg, Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, Teatro alla Scala in Milan, and the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. During this time, he worked under renowned conductors such as Teodor Currentzis, Daniel Harding, Daniele Gatti, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, and Jakub Hrůša.
His orchestral experience also includes collaborations with the Luzerner Sinfonieorchester, Orchestra La Scintilla, the Orchestra Giovanile Italiana and the Orchestra dei Licei Musicali Italiani, with appearances at major events such as the Festa della Repubblica at the Palazzo del Quirinale in Rome and the Ravello Festival. As of September 2025, he is a member of the Opernhaus Zürich Academy, under the mentorship of Claudius Herrman.
As a young musician, Claudio received numerous national awards, including first prizes at the Scandicci, Isola del Liri, and Zangarelli competitions, along with a special mention at the “Prodigi della Musica” competition in Termoli, Italy. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Music at the Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana studying with Asier Polo, followed by a Master of Arts in Music Performance at the Hochschule Luzern with Christian Poltéra moving on to advanced training with Enrico Dindo at the Pavia Cello Academy. He has participated in masterclasses with many esteemed cellists including Frans Helmerson, Giovanni Gnocchi, Clive Greensmith, Richard Aaron and Gabriele Geminiani.
His interest in historically informed performance has led him to study baroque cello with Daniel Rosin, deepening his exploration of early music alongside his modern training.
