EPIFANIO COMIS

The Conservatory

What he has built

The orchestra he founded and six years at the head of the «Vincenzo Bellini» Conservatory in Catania.

The orchestra

The orchestra he founded

FounderThe «Vincenzo Bellini» Conservatory Symphony Orchestra of Catania was born of him, and he is still its music director.
International toursWith the orchestra he has made prestigious tours abroad, which have secured its international reputation.
Vienna, 2026In late January 2026 the Conservatory Symphony Orchestra played at the Konzerthaus in Vienna.
The same theatre in darkness: the orchestra lit in red before five vertical screens with abstract images, the conductor at the centre

2019 - 2025

Six years as director

The tenureFrom 2019 to 2025 Epifanio Comis was director of the «Vincenzo Bellini» Conservatory in Catania.
Clear growthIn six years the institute grew exponentially, in quality of training and in standing.
Among Europe's finestThe Catania Conservatory thus secured its place among the most important music centres in Europe.
6years as director
2019-2025the tenure
Garden portrait almost identical to the previous one, framed slightly lower, hands fastening the button of the jacket
Vertical studio portrait: blue jacket and blue shirt, arms resting on the closed lid of a grand piano, even grey background

The initiatives

What came into the Conservatory

MasterclassesMasterclasses given by names of international standing.
Conferences and symposiaConferences and symposia of high cultural interest.
The complete piano cycleThe complete works for piano and orchestra, performed by the students of the Conservatory.
Great guestsConcerts with great conductors and soloists of established renown.
Tours and festivalsTours by the orchestra and appearances at high-profile festivals.
In black and white, both hands raised to shape a musical phrase while the young soloist plays the piano in front of him
A room with a projection screen and portraits on the walls: the man with glasses sits at the end of the long table, young people seated on both sides with papers before them
The same rehearsal scene in black and white, framed wider: the young pianist in profile at the keyboard, him standing beyond the piano, timpani and the orchestra's music stands around

The vision

More than technique

The person firstTraining does not stop at technique: it concerns the personal and artistic growth of every student.
Technique in serviceMusic is not only technical discipline: technique serves interpretative rigour and emotional growth.
The performer's visionThe aim is to stir the artistic vision of the performer, not only their precision.
Innovative programmesUnder his guidance the Conservatory built innovative programmes inviting students to explore music in all its forms.
Theatre and compositionTheatrical performance and composition came in as subjects: a complete training, with several dimensions.
The pianist at the open grand piano at the centre of the orchestra, seen from above: strings on the left, cellos and harp on the right, warm light on the wood of the piano.
Black and white view from inside an open grand piano: strings, action and the curves of the soundboard in the foreground, beyond the music stand a young pianist plays in a room with a window and a poster on the wall; he is not identifiable as Comis