Orchestra of the University of Milano - Bicocca
The Orchestra of the University of Milan-Bicocca was born in 2009 on the initiative of students, professors, and with the patronage of the Magnifico Rettore of the University of Milano - Bicocca. Since its foundation, it has continued to welcome in its ranks students and teachers, university employees and alumni, Erasmus students and those who, indirectly linked to the University or to the territory, wish to make their own musical and human contribution. Various Italian and foreign musicians participate annually in symphonic projects and other concerts.
Since its creation, the Orchestra of the University of Milano-Bicocca has carried out a wide range of musical activities, ranging from the Baroque repertoire to pieces by Bartok, Gershwin and contemporary musicians.
The concert activity of the orchestra includes both participation in University events and ceremonies (inaugurations of academic activities and ceremonies for the awarding of degree awards) and participation in projects promoted by University structures in collaboration with institutions, institutions and municipalities in the area. In addition to the Bicocca area and more generally in Milan, the orchestra is also active on a national level, with participation in music festivals and other events.
Conducted by Maestro Iakov Zats, the Orchestra has collaborated over the years with renowned soloists such as Roberto Cani, Vsevolod Dvorkin, Alexey Lundin, Franco Mezzena, Natasha Korsakova. In spring 2022 the orchestra pursued the first Opera project, performing Mozart's Cosi fan tutte in collaboration with soprano Fiorenza Cedolinis.
Iakov Zats - Conductor guest artist
Iakov Zats was born in Moscow where he attended the Institute for child prodigies of the Conservatory and graduated brilliantly in the art of instrumental performance as a violist; he then obtained a doctorate in quartet. In 1990 he began his concert career gaining an international reputation in the music scene. In 1992 he founded the "New Moscow Chamber Orchestra". In 1994 he left Russia and moved to Italy where he has been a regular guest of concert seasons since, performing as a soloist with orchestras such as Cantelli in Milan, Sicilian Symphony in Palermo, Fondazione Arena in Verona and others.
Open to all musical genres, he collaborates as a first viola with some of the most famous conductors of the European musical tradition, including Riccardo Muti, George Prêtre, Carlo Maria Giulini, and with various orchestras, such as I Solisti di Mosca, the Symphonic Orchestra G Verdi of Milan, the Toscanini Philharmonic Orchestra of Parma. In 2000 Claudio Abbado invited him to take part in the Mahler Chamber Orchestra. In 2011 he participated as first viola in two European tours of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Vladimir Jurowski.
In 2006 he revevises Ysaye's Sonata op.28, curating the first edition for viola solo, published by White Prince Edition. This Sonata becomes one of the most virtuoso pieces in the repertoire for viola. For the same publishing company, he curates the version for viola and piano of Schumann's Drei Romanzen op.94, presented at the Kingsplace in London. Since 2006 he has been Prima Viola of the Arena di Verona Foundation.
Since 2006 he has also dedicated himself to teaching. He is invited to give master classes in Italy, Spain, the Czech Republic and Croatia. Since 2008 he has been a conservatory teacher for the viola class, first at the “F. Cilea ”in Reggio Calabria, then at“ V. Bellini ”in Catania and, finally, at the“ G. Nicolini ”in Piacenza and the" G. Donizzetti "in Bergamo.
Since 2006 he has participated as preparatory conductor at the orchestral specialization course in Pescara and the orchestra of the “Summer Prague Academy” in Prague. In Italy he conducts the Ensemble of the “Accademia del Talento” of Desio, which he founded, and the orchestra of the University of Milan - Bicocca.