Umberto Clerici

Umberto Clerici is a versatile Italian musician who has a distinguished career as a cellist and conductor. As a prize-winning soloist, he has performed the great solo cello works and chamber pieces of the 18th and 19th centuries extensively. He is known for great wit, expressive range, and intellectual curiosity. Clerici took up principal cello positions at two of Italy's foremost opera houses as well as the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. It was there that he began conducting and has served as Chief Conductor of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra since 2023. His recordings include solo and chamber music releases on ABC Classic as well as his work on Carl Vine's Child's Play (Hyperion, 2026). The album Suite Cubed shows Clerici's interest in unique artistic projects, consisting of suites that the cellist constructed from pre-existing classical pieces that span several centuries.