PERFORMER

Antoni Bonetti AM is founding conductor of Brisbane Symphony Orchestra and Noosa Orchestra.  He also lectured at both the University of Queensland-School of Music (2004-2014) where he completed a Master of Music degree, and the Queensland Conservatorium of Music (1982-1992).  He is Senior String teacher at both St Aidans Anglican Girls School, Brisbane and Good Shepherd Lutheran College, Noosaville.  Antoni has composed and arranged many works for String ensemble and Orchestra.

Antoni has performed, conducted, adjudicated and given masterclasses across Australia, USA, Europe and New Zealand as well as participating in symposiums for professional conductors with such acclaimed conductors as Gianluigi Gelmetti. He has conducted the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Gilbert and Sullivan opera seasons, and performances of ‘The Sound of Music’ & ‘Strictly Ballroom’.

London born, Antoni studied violin with Robert Pikler in Sydney and played with many Australian Symphony Orchestras and in Europe freelanced with the Philharmonia, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the London Mozart Players. He accepted a position as concertmaster of the Norrlands Opera Sweden, and was for two years a member of the Mannheim Chamber Orchestra, a period which fostered his deep interest in, and love of, conducting.

In 1981, Antoni accepted the position of concertmaster of the Queensland Theatre Orchestra. He and his clarinettist wife, Ruth, form the nucleus of Quartetto Bonetti. Antoni also plays with other chamber groups and has led various Baroque instrument ensembles in Germany, Sydney and Brisbane.

Conducting Brisbane Symphony Orchestra, Antoni has worked with many distinguished international musicians including Charles Castleman, Thea King and Marcus Stocker, and has an every increasing large range of varied orchestral repertoire. During three decades at St Peters Lutheran College, Antoni built the programme to encompass many diverse ensembles. The Youth Orchestra of St Peters made six national tours including performances in most Australian capital cities, has completed a European tour in 1995 and toured twice to New Zealand. He teaches both violin and viola, coaches chamber groups and directs music camps.