Riccardo Leónida
Conductor
Riccardo Leónida
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Brief biography
Maestro Riccardo Leónida began his career as an opera conductor in 2005, when he started collaborating with the Veneto Philharmonic Orchestra as Artistic Director and Principal Conductor, a position he held until 2019.
Previously, he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Violin and Music from the prestigious "B. Marcello" Conservatory of Music in Venice, Italy, and immediately became active as a violinist, soloist, and concertmaster with various orchestras and chamber ensembles.
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Alongside collaborations with organizations of equal and greater prominence, Maestro Leónida devoted himself to the artistic and musical development of the Veneto Philharmonic Orchestra, focusing primarily on opera and Baroque repertoire and performing throughout Italy and Europe.
With the same organization, he organized and produced courses and masterclasses for young musicians and opera singers, creating educational opportunities for new generations and collaborating with important artistic institutions, including the Fondazione Teatro La Fenice in Venice.
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After relocating to the United States, Maestro Leónida continued his artistic and educational activities in Louisiana. At the end of 2025, he founded and assumed the position of Artistic Director and Conductor of LABCO – Louisiana Baroque Chamber Orchestra in New Orleans. Dedicated to historically informed performance practices, LABCO specializes in Baroque repertoire performed at A=415 Hz using gut strings and period-style instruments. Under his leadership, the ensemble launched its inaugural concert season and the Louisiana Baroque Festival, presenting concerts and educational initiatives that promote Baroque music and provide performance opportunities for young musicians and emerging artists in the Greater New Orleans area.
OPERA
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Giuseppe Verdi:
Aida;
La traviata;
Rigoletto;
Trovatore;
Nabucco;
Ernani
Giacomo Puccini:
Madama Butterfly;
La Bohéme;
Tosca;
Turandot;
Gianni Schicchi;
Suor Angelica;
Il tabarro
Pietro Mascagni:
Cavalleria rusticana
George’s Bizet:
Carmen
Gioacchino Rossini:
Il barbiere di Siviglia;
La gazza ladra;
L’italiana in Algeri
Gaetano Donizetti:
L’elisir d’amore;
Il campanello dello speziale
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart:
Cosi fan tutte;
Le nozze di Figaro
Franz Lehár:
The Merry Widow
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BAROQUE
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G. F. Haendel
Concerto Grosso in D major, HWV 317
Concerto Grosso in C major, HWV 318
Concerto Grosso in E minor, HWV 321
Concerto Grosso in A minor, HWV 322
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A. Vivaldi
Violin Concert in E major, RV 269 “La Primavera” (“Spring”)
Violin Concerto in G minor, RV 315 “L’Estate “ (“Summer”)
Violin Concerto in F major, RV 293 “L’Autunno” (“Autumn”)
Violin Concerto in F minor, RV 297 “L’Inverno” (“Winter”)
Violin Concerto in B minor, RV 358
Violin Concerto in B minor, RV 384
Violin Concerto in F minor, RV 297
Violin Concerto in G major, RV 299
Concerto for 2 Violins in A minor, RV 522
Viola d’amore Concerto in D minor, RV 395
Viola d’amore Concerto in D minor , RV 393
Mandolin Concerto in C major, RV 425
Concerto in D minor F XI n 19
Concerto in C minor F XI n 20
Concerto in C major F XI n 44
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Mottetto “In furore iustissimae irae” RV 626
"Eurilla e Alcindo" Serenata a 3, RV 690
J. S. Bach
Concerto for 2 Violins in D minor, BWV 1043
Concerto for Oboe and Violin in B-flat major, BWV Anh.22
Concerto for Violin and Oboe in C minor, BWV 1060R
Brandenburg Concerto No.5 in D major, BWV 1050
Brandenburg Concerto No.6 in B-flat major, BWV 1051
Orchestral Suite no. 2 in B minor, BWV 1067
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A. Corelli
Concerto grosso in F major
Concerto grosso in C minor
Concerto grosso in D major
Concerto grosso in D major
Concerto grosso in G minor 'Fatto per la Notte di Natale' (Christmas Concerto)
Concerto grosso in F major
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'700 AND '800
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W. A. Mozart
Symphony No. 29 in A major, K. 201
Haffner Symphony No. 35 in D major, K 385
Serenade No. 13 in G Major, K 525
Divertimento for strings orchestra k 136,
Divertimento for strings orchestra k 137,
Divertimento for strings orchestra k 138
L. Van Beethoven
Romance for violin and orchestra, n 1 op 40
Romance for violin and orchestra, n 2 op 50
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F. Schubert
Symphony No. 5 in Bâ™ major, D. 485
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F. Mendelssohn
Concerto for Violin and String Orchestra in D Minor MWV O 3
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P. I. Tchaikovsky
Lake Swan Suite op 20
Serenata for strings C major op 48
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E. Elgar
Serenade for String Orchestra in E minor, Op. 20
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Other compositions by:
J. Massenet; J. Strauss Sr.; J. Strauss II; C. É. Lévy Waldtheufel; S. Barber
SACRED AND PROFANE
A. Vivaldi
Magnificat, RV 610
Gloria In D Major RV 589
W.A. Mozart
Church sonatas for string orchestra and organ K68, K 144, 145, K 212, K242
Vespere solemnes de confessore K. 339
L. Boccherini
Stabat Mater G.532; Op.61
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G. Rossini
Petite messe solennelle
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2000 - 2020
Founder, General and Artistic Director of Mousikè Venice Theatre Company Srls (Venice-Italy), which promotes and organizes throughout Europe, both artistically and technically, musicals, concerts, events, and operas.
2016 - 2019
Music Conductor and Artistic Director at Salone Margherita Theater in Rome (Italy).
2015 - 2016; 2018-2019
Artistic and Music Director and Opera Conductor of the Opera Season at Teatro Sociale in Mantua (Italy).
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2012 - 2020
Founder and General Director of Mousikè Drama Workshop (Venice - Italy), theatrical set and costumes studio for productions.
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2007 - 2019
Opera Conductor and Artistic Director at San Teodoro Theater, Rialto Bridge (Venice - Italy).
2005 – 2019
Executive Director and Artistic Director of Associazione Filarmonica del Veneto (Venice -Italy).
While in this role, a course for the advancement of young musicians “Corso di Perfezionamento per Giovani Professori d’Orchestra” has been created and annually continues the promotion of new generation musicians in collaboration with the renowned theatre “Teatro La Fenice” Foundation in Venice, Italy.
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2002 - 2019
Artistic Director, Violin Soloist, and Concert Master at San Basso Ateneo Theater, San Marco Square (Venice - Italy).
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OPERA FESTIVALS
2020
Director of Production and Music Conductor of the “Estate Opera” Festival in the historical Estensi Castle in Mesola, historical town of Comacchio and by the historical Abbazia of Pomposa in Pomposa - (Ferrara, Italy).
2014
Artistic Director / Music Conductor of the Abano Opera Festival, in Abano (Padua - Italy); a festival which consists of classical concerts, operettas and Operas.
Director of Production / Music Conductor of the JCT Opera Festival; a lyrical opera festival which includes three different cities in the touristic beach area of Venice, Italy.
2011 - 2013
Director of Production / Music Conductor of the Marghera Estate Opera Festival in collaboration with La Fenice Theatre Foundation (“Teatro La Fenice” in Venice, Italy).
Thanks to his artistic vision and organizational skills, Maestro Leónida has covered the following roles to date: