Born to conduct, this young conductor has a beautiful future ahead of him.
Italo Tajo Basso
La Scala and Metropolitan Opera

As a young student of conducting, Cesare already displayed a great knowledge that simply baffled all of us. When he conducts opera, something wonderful and electrifying happens. His respect for the marriage of words and music is very refreshing, and the result of singers projecting the text and music without being covered by the orchestra is a joy to listen to. At the Opera Theatre of Lucca Festival in Italy, I chose Civetta to conduct Respighi’s unknown opera, Lucrezia. The orchestra really enjoyed his precision and music making, and it became the hit of the season. Italo Tajo, the legendary basso of the Metropolitan and La Scala stated many times that Civetta is a superb opera and symphonic conductor. During one of Tajo’s famous productions in Cincinnati, we were faced with a difficult decision–cancel, or find a new conductor. We chose Cesare Civetta to replace the conductor and that was one of the greatest decisions we ever made. Instantly, the orchestra came to life in the proper style and the opera was a great success.
Lorenzo A. Malfatti
Founder, Opera Theatre of Lucca Festival, Vocal Coach, Chicago Lyric Opera

Cesare Civetta is one of the most exciting conductors of his generation. I recall playing Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony with him. Cesare seemed to go into a trance and brought all of us into it with him. His conducting is more than just beautiful technique. He has that electrifying quality called passion.
Michael Hope
Assistant Principal Bassoon, Calgary Philharmonic

Cesare Civetta’s educated conducting style harkens back to the maestri of the golden age of opera. There is more than brains on display when he is at the helm. He inspires true artistry in those with whom he works, and fosters a level of musicianship that communicates to the heart of the human experience.
David Pershall
Baritone, Metropolitan Opera, Vienna State Opera

Cesare Civetta’s artistry is of the highest order. It is safe to infer that the orchestra players both like and respect him. They would not play for him in such an electrifying manner otherwise.
Neal Goren
Artistic director, Gotham Chamber Opera

Cesare Civetta is a cyclone of passion and power. His conducting, in the great tradition of Toscanini, is a perfect blend of discipline, precision, and sheer force.
Glenn Plaskin
Author of “Horowitz,” the biography of Vladimir Horowitz