Matteo Mela was born in Imperia, Italy in 1971. An accomplished classical guitarist, he has attended master classes given by Giovanni Puddu, David Russell, the Assad Brothers, Oscar Ghiglia, Alirio Diaz, and Angelo Gilardino among others. Having obtained his University musicology degree in the Italian city of Cremona, he has also studied chamber music at the Accademia Pianistica di Imola with the likes of Dario De Rosa, Alexander Lonquich, and Pier Narciso Masi.

Between the years of 1991 and 1998, Matteo was a member of the Mela/Bandini Guitar Duo and was the co-recipient of several first prizes in competitions such as the ARAM (Rome, 1992), F. Cilea (1993), the GMI (1994), Città di Gubbio (1995), Città di Caltanissetta (1995), and the Perugia Classico (1995).

Recently he has been enjoying regular collaboration with Lorenzo Micheli in a number of projects. In 2003 they formed a duo called Soloduo that has already performed throughout Europe and North America, and has been acclaimed everywhere as one of the best ensembles ever heard. About one of their performances, The Washington Post wrote: “Extraordinarily sensitive, with effortless command and an almost unbearable delicacy of touch, the duo’s playing was nothing less than rapturous – profound and unforgettable musicianship of the highest order.”

In addition to classic, romantic and modern repertoire, Matteo and Lorenzo – joined by lutenist Massimo Lonardi – enjoy exploring the early literature for baroque guitar and theorbo.

Matteo Mela concert and media (television and radio) experience have taken him to numerous cities, including Rome, Milan, Bologna, Turin, Naples, Paris, Hamburg, Cologne, Toronto, Warsaw, Oslo, Cincinnati, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Houston. His CD recordings include works of Latin American Dances (Quadrivium), Italian Virtuosos of the 19th Century (Kookaburra)) and the Complete Guitar Works of Astor Piazzolla (Stradivarius). Together with Lorenzo Micheli he has recorded François de Fossa’s Three Quartets, op. 19 (Stradivarius), a CD of Italian Music from the XVII Century for baroque guitar, archlute and theorbo (Stradivarius, forthcoming), Solaria, an anthology of 20th century masterpieces for two guitars (Pomegranate), Duos Concertants by Antoine De Lhoyer (Naxos). Please visit www.matteomela.it, www.soloduo.it.

He currently resides in Geneva, Switzerland and maintains an active touring, teaching, and recording schedule.

Matteo Mela plays Galli Strings on a Roberto De Miranda guitar.