Antonio Calbi
theatre, heart and mind

Antonio Calbi, born in Basilicata but brought up in Milan, is one of the best known figures in Italy in the field of culture and performance. An able manager of culture, attentive to quality and originality of the artistic projects, theatrical organiser, creator of important events, critic and scholar of scenic arts and design disciplines, in his long career he has directed theatres and festivals, and collaborated with the major Italian theatrical institutions, focusing his attention on creating a dialogue between the best of traditions and the newest innovations. He curated the Italy for Rwanda 1994-2004 project, dedicated to the memory of the genocide of Tutsi Rwandans in 1994, which won the Premio della Critica Teatrale Italiana in 2005.

He is Cavaliere dell’Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana and, for assisting in the cultural dialogue between France and Italy, he is Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.

He was Director of the Arts sector of the Comune di Milano and artistic consultant for the opening and closing cerimonies for the Winter Olympics held in Turin in 2006.

Until 2018 he was Artistic Director of the Teatro Eliseo and the Teatro di Roma. He left his position in Rome when he was selected to become Sovrintendente of the Istituto Nazionale del Dramma Antico in Siracusa. He chose to take on this fascinating but complex challenge, leading this prestigious international institution which often suffers from the conditioning of a land like Sicily. His first season at the Greek Theatre resulted in a record of attendance and sales. One can see his passion in this brief interview.