The harpist Claudia Antonelli was born in Rome and studied there, in Brussels and in Paris. The recipient of awards in Venice in 1970 and in Jerusalem in 1973 she enjoys an international career that has brought appearances at major musical centres throughout Europe, as well as in Japan, Australia, Canada, the United States and Brazil.

She has collaborated with orchestras, conductors and players of great distinction and has given first performances of a number of works. In particular she has performed works by contemporary Italian composers, including Petrassi, Donatoni, Bussotti, Sciarrino and Pennisi, some of whom have dedicated compositions to her. Premières include performances with the Accademia di S. Cecilia and RAI orchestras for the Accademia Chigiana in Siena and the Spoleto Festival.