Bio

Christian Capocaccia

Conductor

Renowned for his dynamic presence on the podium, Italian conductor Christian Capocaccia is celebrated as a conductor of exceptional insight and musicality. His vibrant conducting style, combined with a natural rapport with musicians and vocalists, has endeared him to orchestras, opera companies, and singers alike.

As the Artistic and Music Director of Syracuse Opera and Tri-Cities Opera, Capocaccia helmed productions ranging from La Cenerentola and Le nozze di Figaro to lesser-known gems like Der Schauspieldirektor and The Ballad of the Brown King. Notable highlights include his direction of Pagliacci for the Pittsburgh Festival Opera in 2023, followed by the rarely performed verismo masterpiece, La Vestale and Zandonai’s Giulietta e Romeo with Teatro Grattacielo.  In 2024 Maestro Capocaccia conducted Monteverdi’s Orfeo at Oberlin, and the world premiere of Flagello’s Beyond The Horizon for Teatro Grattacielo. The maestro returned to Oberlin in 2025 for La Finta Giardiniera, conducted Falstaff with Geneva Light Opera, and joins Fort Worth Opera for Madama Butterfly in 2026 and in 2027, for Il barbiere di Siviglia.

In his tenure as Artistic and Music Director of Syracuse Opera from 2019 to 2022, Capocaccia showcased his versatility by leading Così fan tutte and Candide. His engagements extended beyond opera, including a collaboration with the Curtis Institute of Music for a new production of Il barbiere di Siviglia and conducting performances with The Württembergische Philharmonie in Stuttgart and Reutlingen.

Capocaccia's international footprint includes performances throughout Italy, including  L’elisir d’amore in Tuscany, and a collaboration with Welsh National Opera. He has also graced stages in the United States and Europe, conducting such renowned orchestras as the Orchestra di Roma e del Lazio and the Moscow Ballet Orchestra.

A multifaceted musician, Capocaccia studied at the Santa Cecilia Music Conservatory in Rome, where he studied under Paolo Ciociola. He further honed his craft with violinist Nina Beilina in New York and pursued composition studies under Boris Porena and Luciano Pelosi. Conducting mentors include Piero Bellugi, Donato Renzetti, and David Effron, under whom he graduated from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. He also led masterclasses with Herbert Blomstedt and Leonard Slatkin.