Riccardo
Cossi (1970) was born in Trieste, where he studied Piano, Organ, Organ
Composition, Harpsichord and Conducting at the “Giuseppe Tartini”
Conservatoire. He graduated with Honours and merit in all subjects and,
furthermore, was awarded top marks in both his academic diploma and his
advanced specialization in Organ Performance under the tutorship of M° Marcello
Girotto.
He later
studied Harpsichord with Giorgio Cerasoli and Conducting with Adriano
Martinolli.
Subsequently,
he took part in various advanced courses of Organ, held by esteemed Maestros of
international acclaim: Paolo Crivellaro, Andrea Macinanti, Ferruccio
Bartoletti, Dietrich Oberdörfer, John Laukvik, Ludger Lohmann, Stephan Engen,
Stephan von Kessel, Artigas Pinas, Andreas Jacob, Roberto Antonello, Ismo
Hintsala and Matthias Schneider.
He also
perfected his studies in Chamber Music under the guidance of Mauro Rossi.
His
dedication to his performing career as organist, pianist and as a director, as
well as his participation in various chamber music ensembles, has led to
various performances in the context of prominent musical events. These include
performances in Italy, Austria (Vienna), England (Queen’s College, Town Hall -
Oxford), Luxembourg (Notre Dame Cathedral), Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia and
Romania (Bucharest - Opera House).
He has
given numerous Italian premiere performances of various pieces of organ
repertoire.
Alongside
his performing career, Riccardo is also keen in raising awareness of organ
repertoire and of the construction of the instrument itself, through an
in-depth study of historical treatises on these subjects.
In this
spirit, in 2013, he founded the Accademia Organistica Tergestina, of which he
is currently the artistic director and teacher of Organ, Improvisation,
Pianoforte and Musical Theory.
Through his
collaboration with the Accademia, he organizes concert events. These centre
around the instrument and he also reserves special attention to
lecture-recitals directed towards young school students, as well as
participants of advanced Masterclasses.
From 1993
to 2016, he was organist and choir director at the Church of S. Teresa del
Bambin Gesù in Trieste.
From 2004
to 2017, still in Trieste, he served as titular organist at the Church Beata
Vergine del Soccorso, where he was responsible for the prestigious 1927 Vicenzo
Mascioni organ (Opus 388).
He
currently directs the Trieste University Choir as well as the Polyphonic
Diapason Choir. He also serves as titular organist of both the Cappella Civica
and the Cathedral of San Giusto. He is a member of the Trieste’s Diocesan
Commission for Sacred Art and Cultural Heritage.