Sara
Caneva
composer • conductor • researcher • sound artist • educator
© Sara Caneva 2025. All rights reserved.
projects
coming soon!
conducting
My conductor's profile tookI specialised in modern and contemporary repertoires interpretation.
CONTEMPORARY & MODERN REPERTOIRE SELECTIONH. Birtwistle
Silbury airJ. Cage
Concerto for Piano and 13 instruments (1958)E. Carter
Asko ConcertoL. Dallapiccola
Piccola musica notturnaF. Donatoni
LumenC. Ives
The unanswered questionM. Lindberg
JubileesO. Knussen
Ophelia dancesG. Ligeti
Concerto for Piano and OrchestraB. Maderna
Serenata per un satelliteF. Romitelli
Nell’alto dei giorni immobiliR. Saunders
Quartet
Into the blueS. Sciarrino
Archeologia del TelefonoK. Stockhausen
PunkteE. Varèse
OctandreI. Xenakis
Eridanos
SYMPHONIC REPERTOIRE SELECTIONB. Bartòk
Concerto for Orchestra
The Wooden PrinceL. van Beethoven
Symphonies nn. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8
Ouvertures: Egmont, Coriolan, Fidelio, Die Geschöpfe des PrometheusJ. Brahms
Symphonies nn. 1, 2, 3 & 4
Tragic Ouverture
Variations on a theme by HaydnM. Bruch
Violin Concerto Op. 26A. Bruckner
Symphony n. 4C. Debussy
La Mer
Trois Nocturnes
Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune
Livre de Baudelaire (orch. Adams)A. Dvorak
Symphony n. 9 “New World”G. Fauré
Pavane
RequiemG. Mahler
Symphonies n. 4 & 5F. Mendelssohn-Bartholdy
Fingal's Cave
Symphony n. 3 & 4
Violin Concerto Op. 64W. A. Mozart
Symphonies nn. 36, 39, 40 & 41
Concertone for 2 Violins K 190
Ouvertures: Così fan tutte, Le nozze di Figaro, Don Giovanni, Die Zauberflöte, Die Entführung aus dem SerailF. Poulenc
Concerto for 2 Pianos and OrchestraS. Prokofiev
Simphony n. 1M. Ravel
Le Tombeau de Couperin
Ma mère l’Oye
Pavane pour une infante défunteO. Respighi
Fontane di Roma
Trittico BotticellianoG. Rossini
Ouvertures: Il barbiere di Siviglia, L’Italiana in Algeri, TancrediF. Schubert
Symphonies nn. 5, 7 (Unfinished) & 8 (Great)
Rosamunde, Fürstin von Cypern D. 797D. Schostakovich
Symphonies nn. 5 & 10R. Strauss
Metamorphosen in memoriamA. Schönberg
Verklärte Nacht Op. 4
Kammersymphonie Op. 9I. Stravinsky
Petrouchka
Divertimento from Le Baisier de la Fee
Dumbarton Oaks
Firebird Suite, 1919
Histoire du soldat
Sacre du Printemps
Octet for Wind Instruments
Symphonies for Wind InstrumentsP. Tchaikovsky
Symphonies nn. 4, 5 & 6
Romeo and Juliet Ouverture-Fantasie
Violin ConcertoR. Wagner
Siegfried IdyllA. Webern
Passacaglia Op. 1
OPERA REPERTOIRE SELECTIONG. Donizetti
L’elisir d’amore
Don PasqualeP. Mascagni
Cavalleria RusticanaW. A. Mozart
Le nozze di FigaroF. Poulenc
La voix humaineG. Puccini
Tosca
Gianni SchicchiM. Ravel
L’Enfant et les SortilègesG. Verdi
La Traviata
Un ballo in maschera
Disclaimer: The artist manages and owns all information and audiovisual material on this website, last updated on 09/04/2025. Using any content without referencing is not allowed.
teaching
I have developed a varied range of activities in Higher Education teaching since 2021, mainly at the University of Birmingham Music Department. My experience includes class lecturing, individual mentoring, assessing, leading and designing numerous modules, which were aimed at different levels of the UG/PG curriculum in the areas of instrumental, vocal, and electroacoustic composition, orchestration, conducting, tonal harmony and counterpoint.I strive to mix and share my knowledge in teaching and learning environments. In fact, I often integrate rehearsing techniques from my conducting background into teaching, to shape lively and productive learning experiences.Alongside structured teaching, I led and supervised workshops for student composers at undergraduate and postgraduate research levels across institutions such as the University of Cambridge, the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, and the University of Birmingham. My commitment to pedagogical and professional development is further recognised by the Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), awarded in 2024.
Disclaimer: The artist manages and owns all information and audiovisual material on this website, last updated on 20/08/2025. Using any content without referencing is not allowed.
residencies
RESIGHT (2023)
for string quartet and electronics
Commission CrossCurrents Festival and BEAST
• w.p. 8.3.2024 @ Birmingham, Elgar Concert Hall
Ligeti QuartetCHRONOPHAGE (2023)
for ensemble
[fl./bass fl.-vln.-vcl.-db.-el.]
Commission Ensemble Écoute, ‘Kagel 18.IX.2008.’
• w.p. 17-18/6/2023 @ Poush, Paris
Ensemble Écoute
Edizioni SZ SugarTHOSE WHO HAVE THE RIGHT TO YELL - WON'T (2021)
for partly hidden ensemble and tape
[fl./bass fl.-vln.-vcl.-db.-el.]
• w.p. 18.12.2021 @ Genova, Palazzo Tursi
Eutopia Ensemble
Edizioni SZ SugarNIGHT IS NIGHT, NO MATTER HOW LONG (2019)
for six performers of ecological instruments in full darkness
Commission Mdi Ensemble
• w.p. 15.11.2019 in Milan, Palazzina Liberty
Mdi Ensemble
Edizioni SZ SugarHAFEN VARIATION (2018)
[bass fl.- bass cl.-2vln.-vla.-vcl.]
• w.p. 19.1.2019 in Brescia, Teatro Sancarlino
Dèdalo Ensemble
Edizioni SZ SugarSIMPATIA E RAUCEDINE (2018)
[fl.-bass cl.-perc.-vln.-vla.-vcl.]
• w.p. 2.11.2018 in Reggio Emilia, Teatro Cavallerizza
Mdi EnsembleBECOME A FAN (2016)
[fl./bass fl.-bass cl.-pf.-vln.-vcl.-2ventilators]
Commission MACM
• w.p. 12,15.9.2016, Moscow Phiharmonic Chamber Hall
Moscow Contemporary Music EnsembleRIMA CONGRUENS (2015)
[marb.-pf.-hps.]
• w.p. 30.6.2015 @ Milan, Villa Simonetta, Notti Trasfigurate
Disclaimer: The artist manages and owns all information and audiovisual material on this website, last updated on 20/08/2025. Using any content without referencing is not allowed.
research
RESIGHT (2023)
for string quartet and electronics
Commission CrossCurrents Festival and BEAST
• w.p. 8.3.2024 @ Birmingham, Elgar Concert Hall
Ligeti QuartetCHRONOPHAGE (2023)
for ensemble
[fl./bass fl.-vln.-vcl.-db.-el.]
Commission Ensemble Écoute, ‘Kagel 18.IX.2008.’
• w.p. 17-18/6/2023 @ Poush, Paris
Ensemble Écoute
Edizioni SZ SugarTHOSE WHO HAVE THE RIGHT TO YELL - WON'T (2021)
for partly hidden ensemble and tape
[fl./bass fl.-vln.-vcl.-db.-el.]
• w.p. 18.12.2021 @ Genova, Palazzo Tursi
Eutopia Ensemble
Edizioni SZ SugarNIGHT IS NIGHT, NO MATTER HOW LONG (2019)
for six performers of ecological instruments in full darkness
Commission Mdi Ensemble
• w.p. 15.11.2019 in Milan, Palazzina Liberty
Mdi Ensemble
Edizioni SZ SugarHAFEN VARIATION (2018)
[bass fl.- bass cl.-2vln.-vla.-vcl.]
• w.p. 19.1.2019 in Brescia, Teatro Sancarlino
Dèdalo Ensemble
Edizioni SZ SugarSIMPATIA E RAUCEDINE (2018)
[fl.-bass cl.-perc.-vln.-vla.-vcl.]
• w.p. 2.11.2018 in Reggio Emilia, Teatro Cavallerizza
Mdi EnsembleBECOME A FAN (2016)
[fl./bass fl.-bass cl.-pf.-vln.-vcl.-2ventilators]
Commission MACM
• w.p. 12,15.9.2016, Moscow Phiharmonic Chamber Hall
Moscow Contemporary Music EnsembleRIMA CONGRUENS (2015)
[marb.-pf.-hps.]
• w.p. 30.6.2015 @ Milan, Villa Simonetta, Notti Trasfigurate
Disclaimer: The artist manages and owns all information and audiovisual material on this website, last updated on 20/08/2025. Using any content without referencing is not allowed.
outreach & engagement
CoMA West Midlands
Soundwalks & treasure hunts
Disclaimer: The artist manages and owns all information and audiovisual material on this website, last updated on 20/08/2025. Using any content without referencing is not allowed.
compositions
chamber music
| Title & Year | Instrumentation | Duration | Media | Material | World Premiere |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resight (2023) | 2vln.-vla-vcl.-el. | 12' | listen | score + 4ch audio | 8/3/2024 @ Birmingham, Elgar Concert Hall, Ligeti Quartet, streamed on BBC Radio3 New Music Show |
| Eusocial buzz, bees & Brahms (2023) | cl.-vcl.-pno. | 5' | available soon! | score | 4/5/2025 @ Brescia, Dèdalo Ensemble season, Ensemble Forma Libera |
| Crumpled Questions (2022) | fl.-cl.-vln.-vcl.-perc.-pno. | 5' | watch | score | 23/2/2023 @ Birmingham, Elgar Concert Hall, University of Birmingham New Music Ensemble |
| Those who have the right to yell - won't (2021) | fl./bass fl.-vln.-vcl.-db.-el. | 12' | watch | score + stereo track | 18/12/2021 @ Genova, Palazzo Tursi, Le strade del suono: "The smell of the protest", Eutopia Ensemble |
| Night is night, no matter how long (2019) | six performers of biodegradable instruments in darkness | 30' | listen | score + audio guide | 15/11/2019 @ Milan, Auditorium Lattuada, Mdi Ensemble |
| Hafen Variation (2018) | bass fl.-bass cl.-2vln.-vla.-vcl. | 7' 30'' | listen | score | 19/1/2019 @ Brescia, Teatro Sancarlino, Dèdalo Ensemble |
| Simpatia e raucedine (2018) | fl.-bass cl.-perc.-vln.-vla.-vcl. | 5' | - | score | 2/11/2018 @ Reggio Emilia, Teatro Cavallerizza, Mdi Ensemble |
| Become a fan (2016) | fl./bass fl.-bass cl.-pno.-vln.-vcl.-2ventilators | 10' | watch | score | 12,15/9/2016 @ Moscow Phiharmonic Chamber Hall, Moscow Contemporary Music Ensemble |
| Rima Congruens (2015) | mar.-pno.-hps. | 6' | listen | score | 30/6/2015 @ Milan, Villa Simonetta, Festival Notti Trasfigurate |
Disclaimer: The artist manages and owns all information and audiovisual material on this website, last updated on 20/08/2025. Using any content without referencing is not allowed.
orchestra & ensemble
| Title & Year | Instrumentation | Duration | Media | Material | World Premiere |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chronophage (2023) | msop.-pno.4h-vln.-vla.-vcl.-db. | 2' 30'' | watch | score | 17-18/6/2023 @ Paris, Poush artist residence, Ensemble Écoute Commission |
| Fondale mobile (2022) | chamber orchestra version | 10' | listen | score | 30.4.2022 @ Padova, Auditorium Pollini, Orchestra di Padova e del Veneto, cond. Sara Caneva |
| Their wings have eyes (2021) | picc.-cl.-bs.-hn.-trbn.-hp.-perc.-vln.-vla.-vc.-db. | 6' | - | score | 16/5/2021 @ Birmingham, CBSO Centre, BCMG |
| Fondale mobile (2019) | large symphonic orchestra | 6' 30'' | listen | score | 7-8/6/2019 @ Venice, Teatro Malibran, Orchestra del Teatro La Fenice di Venezia Commission, cond. Jonathan Webb |
| Idoli et Incubi (2019) | picc.-Eb cl.-sopr. sax.-pno.-vln.-vcl.-db.-cond.-el. | 17' 30'' | listen | score | 4/10/2019 in Bludenz, Bludenzer Tage zeitgemäßer Musik, Schallfeld Ensemble Commission |
| re.cover over.come[.info] (2017) | bass fl.-bass cl.-el. org.-pno.-perc.-2vln.-vcl.-ampl. cond. | 7' 30'' | watch | score | 15/11/2017 @ Salzburg Mozarteum, Crossroads Festival, NAMES Ensemble |
| Dish to Disk, to Dash (2016) | fl./picc.-cl.-alto sax.-pno.-perc.-vln.-vcl.-db. | 8' | listen | score | 24/2/2016 @ Milan, Auditorium Lattuada, Schallfeld Ensemble |
Disclaimer: The artist manages and owns all information and audiovisual material on this website, last updated on 20/08/2025. Using any content without referencing is not allowed.
electroacoustic works
| Title & Year | Duration | Media | World Premiere |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eclipse (2024) | 20' ∞ | interactive immersive sound installation in darkness [20.2 ch + UWB technology for indoor position tracking] | 29-31/7/2024 @ Birmingham, BEASTdome, developed in partnership with Milad Mardakheh |
| Influences (2023) | 6' 16'' | fixed media [4ch] | 4/2/2023 @ University of Birmingham, BEASTdome |
| Inner enginges on a private trail (2021) | 12' | fixed media [3rd order ambisonic, binaural] | 24/04/2021 @ Birmingham, BEAST FEaST |
| Ear ride I (2019) | ∞ | site-specific sound path for Villa dei Pini, Bogliasco Study Center [7 mono tracks + purpose-built biodegradable instruments] | 10, 13/3/2019 @ Villa dei Pini, Bogliasco Study Center |
| Ear ride II (2019) | ∞ | site-specific sound installation for the WWF Oasi San Felice, Marina di Grosseto [3 mono tracks + purpose-built biodegradable/recycled instruments] | 14/9/2019 @ WWF Oasi San Felice, Marina di Grosseto |
Disclaimer: The artist manages and owns all information and audiovisual material on this website, last updated on 20/08/2025. Using any content without referencing is not allowed.
solo & duo
| Title & Year | Instrumentation | Duration | Media | Material | World Premiere |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reforesting solo (2024) | violin | 6' | available soon! | score | 16/8/2024 @ ArCombin Commission, vln. Clarissa Bevilacqua |
| Cruda nenia (2020) | tenor & piano | 3' 30'' | watch | score | 19/12/2020 @ Rome, Festival Nuova Consonanza, ten. Mark Milhofer, pno. Marco Scolastra |
| Onomatopea dello scippo (2018) | drum set | 9' | watch | score | 22/5/2018 @ Vilnius, Druskomanija Festival, perc. Serge Vuille |
| Mìmesis del abrazo (2017) | visual serenade for piano, video and smartphone | 15' | watch | score | 22/10/2017 @ Madrid, Residencia de Estudiantes, pno. Ricardo Descalzo |
| Infant, potentially (2017) | solo acting accordionist | 7' | watch | score | 19/2/2017 @ Graz, Impuls Festival, acc. Ghenadie Rotari |
| @tratti (2015) | for trumpet and piano | 5' | - | score | - |
| Primo Die Vivus (2013) | two Impromptus for solo piano | 5' 30'' (I.) 3' 30'' (II.) | listen | score | 21/9/2014 @ Tübinger Kammermusikfreunde, pf. Giovanni Santini |
Disclaimer: The artist manages and owns all information and audiovisual material on this website, last updated on 20/08/2025. Using any content without referencing is not allowed.
theatre & vocal
| Title & Year | Instrumentation | Duration | Media | Material | World Premiere |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radice Posizione Distanza (2023) | sopr.-bass.-orch.-el. | 30' | available soon! | score | 27.3.2024 @ Gorizia, Kulturni Center Lojze Bratuz, Commission Piccolo Opera Festival/ECOC, GO! Borderless Orchestra, Giulia Diomede, Massimiliano Migliorin, cond. Sara Caneva |
| Chiamata dalla realtà delle cose (2020) | melologo after Tosca for actress and piano | 15' | watch | score | 13.7.2020 @ 66° Festival Pucciniano Commission, act. Stefania Sandrelli, pno. Orazio Sciortino |
| Ask water... whispers answer (2018) | sopr.-msop.-cten.-ten.-bar.-bass. | 8' | listen | score | 28.7.2018 @ Lugano, Museo Vela, Neue Vocalsolisten Stuttgart |
| PET (2018) | miniature for mezzosoprano and two dancers | 5' | watch | graphic score | 28.7.2018 in Lugano, Museo Vela, msop. Truike van der Poel |
| On-Off (2017) | sopr.-msopr.-bar.-m. act.-children's choir-orch.-el. | 50' | watch | score + stereo track (libretto by Stefano Simone Pintor) | 11-12.10.2017 @ Rome, Teatro Nazionale, Commission Fabbrica Y.A.P. Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, Valentina Varriale, Erika Beretti, Timofei Baranov, cond. Sara Caneva |
| La grasta furata (2013) | - | - | - | score (libretto by Ezio Sinigaglia) | - |
| Il rubinetto (2012) | cl.-pno.-perc.-vcl.-sopr.-bar.-f. act.-m. act. | 6' | available soon! | score | 31.7.2012 @ Siena, Teatro dei Rozzi, Farben Ensemble, sop. Alda Caiello, bar. Marco Bussi, broadcast on SKY Classica TV |
Disclaimer: The artist manages and owns all information and audiovisual material on this website, last updated on 20/08/2025. Using any content without referencing is not allowed.
bio
composer • conductor • sound artist • researcher • PhD • FHEAPodium experience crossed her composing mind and led to a unique curiosity for all sorts of gesture-sound connections and interpretations, blending immediacy and depth in any music.Sara Caneva was nominated for the Classical:NEXT! 2020 Innovation Award and selected for the first edition of LaMaestra Conducting Competition at the Philharmonie de Paris. From 2016 to 2017, she won the Fabbrica Y.A.P. fellowship at the Teatro dell'Opera di Roma, where she composed and conducted a new opera diptych.
Caneva's music has been commissioned and programmed by institutions such as Teatro La Fenice di Venezia, Teatro dell'Opera di Roma, Fondazione I Teatri Reggio Emilia, Romaeuropa Festival, Salzburg Mozarteum, Bludenzer Tage zeitgemäßer Musik, Moscow Philharmonic, MusiikkItalo Camerata, BEAST Festival, and broadcast on the Italian (RAI Radio3), Austrian (ORF Ö1) and French (France Musique) national radios. Since 2018 her large-scale acoustic pieces have been published by SZ Sugar (former Edizioni Suvini Zerboni).Sara was granted composer-in-residence at several International institutions, such as Bogliasco Foundation (US/IT), Kone Saari Foundation (FI), Residencia de Estudiantes (ES), Styria Artist In Residence (AU), Schleswig Holstein Künstlerhaus Otte1 (DE), developing mixed-media compositions, land-art installations and cross-disciplinary projects. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Composition at the University of Birmingham.Her research focuses on how visual cues - or lack thereof - influence music, compositional practice, and audience engagement towards inclusive forms of theatre and performance in darkness. In her researcher capacity, she was invited to present her music and give lectures in academic contexts such as the Music Since 1900 Conference, the Orpheus Institute, the University of Greenwich and the University of Birmingham.As a new music specialist, she conducted several world premieres across Europe, including works by Zuraj, Balch, Xiao, Pierini, Panni, Kallionpää and Caneva herself. Among recent commitments, she conducted the Ensemble Modern for the Cresc. Biennale ICCS, the Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, and the Orchestra di Padova e del Veneto. In addition, she collaborated with the Orchestra Regionale Toscana, the Danubia Orchestra Óbuda at the Budapest Music Center, the Savaria Symphony Orchestra, the IEMA Ensemble within the Festival Klangspuren in Schwaz, and the Ensemble '900 from Accademia di Santa Cecilia.
In 2019, she brought on stage the multimedia opera "Trilogy in two" by Andrea Liberovici in a tournée with the American singer-performer Helga Davis and the Schallfeld Ensemble; the show was repeatedly broadcast on the Italian national TV (RAI 5). In 2018, she was a semifinalist in the G. Facchinetti Conducting Competition; in the same year, she conducted the final round in the Michele Novaro Composition Competition, live broadcast on Rai Radio3 I Concerti del Quirinale.
FELLOWSHIPS & RESIDENCIES
Saari Residence - Kone Foundation
DUNE artistic residency, WWF Oasi San Felice
StAIR, Land Steiermark
Bogliasco Foundation Music Fellowship
Schleswig Holstein Künstlerhaus Eckernförde
Residencia de Estudiantes Madrid
Teatro dell'Opera di Roma Y.A.P. 2016-2017AWARDS & HONORS
2020, nominee for the Classical:NEXT! Innovation Award
2020, shortlisted for LaMaestra Conducting Competition Philharmonie de Paris
2016-17, Fabbrica Y.A.P. Teatro dell'Opera di Roma
2016, G.A.I. & MiBAC "movin’up" funding competition
COMMISSIONS & FESTIVALS
Teatro La Fenice di Venezia
Teatro dell’Opera di Roma
I Teatri di Reggio Emilia
Romaeuropa Festival
Druskomanija Festivalis
Crossroads Festival Salzburg
Bludenzer Tage zeitgemäßer Musik
Eutopia Ensemble
Schallfeld Ensemble
Mdi Ensemble
Dèdalo EnsembleCONDUCTING ACTIVITY
Ensemble Modern, Frankfurt cresc. Biennale
Birminghan Contemporary Music Group
Ensemble ‘900 Accademia di Santa Cecilia
Orchestra di Padova e del Veneto
Orchestra Regionale Toscana
Danubia Obuda Orchestra
Savaria Symphony Orchestra
Youth Orchestra Teatro dell’Opera di Roma
Schallfeld EnsembleACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
2017, M.Mus. in Orchestral Conducting, Conservatorio G. Verdi Milano
2016, PG Diploma in Composition, Civica Scuola di Musica Milano
2015-16, Erasmus in Conducting, Stuttgarter Musikhochschule
2013, M.Mus. in Composition, Conservatorio S. Cecilia Roma
2012, Diploma in Piano, Conservatorio S. Cecilia Roma
2011, Diploma in Composition, Conservatorio S. Pietro a Majella Napoli
Disclaimer: The artist manages and owns all information and audiovisual material on this website, last updated on 20/08/2025. Using any content without referencing is not allowed.
upcoming events
October 2025
Lade Braes Dance
New piece for piccolo solo. Feat. Roberto Fabbriciani
20-26 October 2025
125th Anniversary Chamberlain Clock Tower Sonic Intervention
• h 4pm • (Non-)belligerent decibels
@ University of Birmingham, BEAST
March 2026
CoMA West Midlands Ensemble Workshop
@ Contemporary Music for All Festival
past events highlights
• 13 June 2025 • Conducting project
@ Casa del Quartetto, I Teatri Reggio Emilia
Schoenberg, Verklaerte Nacht Op. 4
Perotti, Selva Meccanica sopra OLF I & II [w.p.]• 5, 18 May 2025 • Eusocial buzz, bees & Brahms [w.p.]
@ Modena Contemporanea
Ensemble Forma Libera• 1-3 May 2025 • Eclipse sound installation
@ BEAST Festival 2025• 19 October 2024 • Resight
@ Centro Nacional de las Artes Bogotà
Ligeti Quartet & BEAST• 27 March 2024 • Radice Posizione Distanza [w.p.]
@ Lojze Bratuz Kulturni Center, Gorizia
Commission Piccolo Opera Festival, EFFEA, ECOC, GO! Borderless. Cond. Sara Caneva• 9 March 2024 • Resight [w.p.]
@ Crosscurrents Festival streamed on BBC Radio3
Ligeti Quartet & BEAST
Disclaimer: The artist manages and owns all information and audiovisual material on this website, last updated on 20/08/2025. Using any content without referencing is not allowed.