(b. 1964, Enna, Sicily).

Italian composer of mostly stage, orchestral, chamber, and choral works that have been performed throughout Europe.

Mr. Betta studied composition with Eliodoro Sollima at the Conservatorio Vincenzo Bellini in Palermo. He subsequently studied with Armando Gentilucci in Florence and with Salvatore Sciarrino at the Accademia di Città di Castello.

He has received commissions from the Teatro Bellini in Catania and he represented Italy at the UNESCO International Rostrum of Composers (1988, Maiores umbræ).

He is also active in other positions. He served as coordinator of the Centro di Documentazione della Musica Contemporanea of CIMS from 1988–93 and as artistic director of the Teatro Massimo in Palermo from 1994–2002. He served as a member of the Commissione musica of SIAE from 1995–2000.

In addition to the works listed below, he has written much music for films and stage productions since 1984, including works for Roberto Andò, Micha van Hoecke, Piero Maccarinelli, and Lamberto Puggelli.

His primary publishers are Casa Ricordi and Casa Sonzogno, but B & W Italia is the publisher of his stage works from 1993–98.

COMPLETE LIST OF WORKS

STAGE:

E in realtà C in sogno... (ballet, choreography by Elisabetta Vittoni), 1993

Sabaoth e Sammael (opera, libretto by Giovanni Carli Ballola), 1994

Bellini, ultime luci (opera, libretto by Dario Oliveri), 1998

Averroè (opera, libretto by Daniele Martino), soprano, tenor, bass, electronic keyboard, 18 strings, 1999

The Cardsharks (ballet, choreography by Elisabetta Vittoni), 2000

Il Concerto dei gatti (chamber opera, libretto by Gianni Rodari), speaker, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, string quartet, double bass, 2000

Nevebianca (opera in 1 act, libretto by Giovanni Maniscalco Basile), 2001

ORCHESTRAL:

Senti l'eco, 1989

Cadentia sidera (fantasia), piano, string orchestra, 1990

Soledad, 11 strings, 1992

Inverni, 2002

CHAMBER MUSIC:

In ombra d'amore, viola, 1988

Maiores umbræ, alto flute, clarinet, harp, viola, cello, 1989

Ballata, violin, piano, 1991

Ultimo canto, viola, 2001

Osservazione del mare, flute, 2002

CHORAL:

Lux æterna, soprano, tenor, mixed chorus, orchestra, 1993 (section of Requiem per le vittime della mafia, a collaboration with numerous composers; may be performed separately)

Resurrexi, mixed chorus, orchestra, 2000

VOCAL:

Sorpresa, soprano, orchestra, 1993

Magaria (text by Andrea Camilleri), speaker, orchestra, 2001

PIANO:

Due Preludi, 1993

FILM SCORES (DIRECTOR):

La Sabbia del sonno, 1990 (Roberto Andò)

Il Manoscritto del principe, 2000 (Roberto Andò)

TV PRODUCTION (DIRECTOR):

La Santa dei Tomasi, 1989 (Maria Grazia Mazzola)