Mario Bernardi

Mario Bernardi (left), and Bramwell Tovey (right) in 2005

Mario Bernardi, CC (born 20 August 1930) is a Canadian conductor and pianist. He has conducted 75 different operas and over 450 other works with the National Arts Centre Orchestra.

Early years

Bernardi was born in Kirkland Lake, Ontario, and spent his first six years in Canada. After his family moved to Italy, Bernardi studied piano, organ, and composition with Bruno Pasut at the Manzato Conservatory at Treviso and took his examinations at Italy's Venice Conservatory.

After graduating in 1945, his family returned to Canada where he finished his studies at The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. He then was a concert pianist.

In 1957, he conducted the Canadian Opera Company, and in 1963 was Coach and Assistant Conductor at the Sadler's Wells Opera Company (now the English National Opera). From 1966 to 1968 he was co-Music Director of the company.

Conducting

In 1968 he became the founding conductor of the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa and also became the Music Director in 1971. He then led the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra from 1984 until 1992. From 1983 until 2006 he was the Principal Conductor of the CBC Radio Orchestra.

Recordings

He has made several dozen recordings for the CBC's in-house label among others.

Honours

• He has honorary degrees from the University of British Columbia, University of Calgary, University of Windsor, University of Ottawa, Carleton University, Lakehead University and Laurentian University.
• 1972: He was made a Companion of the Order of Canada.^[1]
• 1982 - Received the Diplôme d'Honneur from the Canadian Conference of the Arts
• 2001: He received the Governor General's Performing Arts Award.
• 2006: He was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.^[2]

See also

• CBC Radio Orchestra

References

External links

• Biography at the National Arts Centre
• Victoria Symphony – gives date of NAC founding at 1969
• CBC Radio Orchestra – contains a discography
• [1] - Speech by Mario Bernadi opposing programming changes to CBC Radio 2.